Starting a Private School in Wisconsin
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Wisconsin State Regulations
General Regulations
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There are no requirements for registration and licensing. Approval is optional. Accreditation is also optional except for schools participating in the funding programs listed below.
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The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Wisconsin.
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A home-based private educational program is defined as instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or guardian or by a person designated by the parent or guardian. An instructional program provided to more than one family unit does not constitute a home-based private educational program.
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The Wisconsin DPI has no published requirements for school insurance -- consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
According to Wisconsin’s statutory definition of a private school, the private school must provide a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health. This requirement does not mandate teachings in conflict with a school’s religious doctrines or exclude any teachings consistent with the school’s religious doctrines.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Private schools are not obligated to employ licensed or certified teachers. However, the state superintendent of public instruction has the authority to license or certify teachers employed at private schools. Teachers employed by a school participating in the MPCP and the PPSCP are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
Food Services / Lunch
In Wisconsin, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Public Instruction.
Length of School Year
According to Wisconsin’s statutory definition of a private school, a private school must provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year. Private schools participating in the MPCP and PPSCP must provide at least 1,050 hours of direct pupil instruction for grades 1–6 and 1,137 hours of direct pupil instruction for grades 7–12.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must report enrollment information to the department of public instruction annually.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must be immunized or provide documentation of a medical or religious exemption. Schools must conduct monthly fire drills.
Transportation
With some exceptions, school boards operating high schools must provide transportation for K–12 private school students if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the pupil resides two miles or more from the private school they attend; (2) the pupil resides within the private school’s approved attendance area; and (3) the private school is located not more than five miles beyond the boundaries of the pupil’s resident school district measured along the usually traveled route.
Testing
Assessment is not required for pupils attending private schools with the exception of assessment requirements for pupils attending private schools under the three state choice programs.
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Wisconsin State Resources
State & Regional Associations
Government Websites
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
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We gathered so much information that we had to break it down into 10 chapters. This free information is well-researched- we even hunted down the rules and regulations for each state! If you're thinking about starting a private school, you will find this guide very handy!
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