School Choice

School Choice and Homeschool in Wisconsin

Private school choice programs, charter schools, homeschool rules and private schools in Wisconsin. Facts as of November 2026.

Choice programs4All limited by eligibility
Charter schoolsAllowedPublic charter law
Homeschool noticeYesTesting: No

Private school choice programs

How they work ›

Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

Voucher Limited Enacted 1990

Students living in the City of Milwaukee with family income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

The nation's first modern voucher program.

Official source

Racine Parental Choice Program

Voucher Limited Enacted 2011 (year not confirmed)

Students living in the Racine Unified School District with family income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

Began accepting students in 2011-12.

Official source

Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (statewide)

Voucher Limited Enacted 2013 (year not confirmed)

Students outside Milwaukee and Racine with family income at or below 220% of the federal poverty level; the statutory participation cap ends with the 2026-27 school year.

Began accepting students in 2013-14.

Official source

Special Needs Scholarship Program

Voucher Limited Enacted 2015 (year not confirmed)

Students with disabilities who have an IEP or services plan, regardless of family income.

Began accepting students in 2016-17.

Official source

Charter schools

Wisconsin has a public charter school law.

Official source

Homeschool rules

Parents file the online PI-1206 homeschool report with the Department of Public Instruction each year by October 15. State law does not require testing or assessment. Check your state's law before you start.

Notice: Yes Testing: No

Law: Wis. Stat. §§ 115.001(3g), 115.30(3). Official source

Notes

Wisconsin also allows a state income tax subtraction for private school tuition; it was not checked on an official page and is not listed as a program.

Some items in a note may rest on news reports rather than an official source.

Private schools in Wisconsin

The private school list will appear here after the first scheduled update.

Sources: Wisconsin Legislative Council: Parental Choice Programs issue brief (May 2025), Wisconsin DPI: Private School Choice Programs, Wisconsin DPI: Charter School Authorizers, Wisconsin DPI: Homeschool Enrollment Reporting, NCES Private School Universe Survey. State facts as of November 2026. Check your state's law before you start.