Wisconsin Homeschool Planning: Creating Your First Year Timeline

Starting homeschooling is manageable if you plan it. This post breaks down the entire first year—month by month—so you know what to do when. Consider it your roadmap from decision through end of year.

Key Takeaways

• Start planning 2-3 months before you want to begin homeschooling
• File PI-1206 by October 15 (or within 30 days if starting mid-year)
• First month is adjustment, not perfect execution
• By month 3, your routine should feel established
• Documentation matters only at year-end for record-keeping
• Planning year 2 starts in May

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Pre-Start Timeline (2-3 Months Before)

Month 1: Explore and Decide (May-June if Starting August)

Your tasks:

Week 1:
– [ ] Read Wisconsin homeschool law basics (Wis. Stat. § 118.165)
– [ ] Visit WHPA website (whpa.org)
– [ ] Join Wisconsin homeschool Facebook groups (research only)
– [ ] Attend a WHPA meeting or event if available

Week 2-3:
– [ ] Visit WHPA curriculum fair (if available)
– [ ] Browse curriculum options online
– [ ] Talk to friends who homeschool in Wisconsin
– [ ] Identify potential co-ops or support groups
– [ ] Discuss homeschooling with your children

Week 4:
– [ ] Make final decision on starting date (August? January? Other?)
– [ ] Decide on approach (classical? Charlotte Mason? eclectic? online?)
– [ ] Rough estimate of budget needed

Month 2: Research and Select (June-July if Starting August)

Curriculum selection:
– [ ] Narrow down 2-3 curriculum options for each subject
– [ ] Review samples or rent-to-own options if available
– [ ] Check library for samples or used copies
– [ ] Join curriculum-specific Facebook groups for reviews
– [ ] Talk to people using your top choices

Support system:
– [ ] Identify local co-ops or groups for your area
– [ ] Research classical communities, church programs, etc.
– [ ] Join at least one group’s email list or Facebook group
– [ ] Attend a meeting if possible

Practical:
– [ ] Identify a learning space in your home
– [ ] Estimate office supply needs
– [ ] Plan budget for year 1

Month 3: Prepare and Plan (July-August if Starting August)

Curriculum purchase:
– [ ] Order curriculum
– [ ] Purchase or gather materials
– [ ] Download digital resources if applicable
– [ ] Set up files/storage for materials

Administrative:
– [ ] Gather information for PI-1206 (child names, DOBs)
– [ ] Prepare withdrawal letter (if coming from public school)
– [ ] Request school records (if applicable)
– [ ] Research HOMER system registration

Planning:
– [ ] Create draft daily/weekly schedule
– [ ] Print or set up calendar
– [ ] Plan first month of lessons (lightly—be flexible)
– [ ] Identify record-keeping system

Social/support:
– [ ] Attend curriculum fair or WHPA event if haven’t
– [ ] Join co-op (if planning to participate)
– [ ] Connect with 2-3 homeschool friends

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Year 1 Timeline: Month by Month

Month 1: Startup & Adjustment (August/September or Whenever You Start)

Administrative (First 2 weeks):
– [ ] Send withdrawal letter to school (if applicable)
– [ ] Register HOMER account and file PI-1206 form
– [ ] Receive PI-1206 confirmation receipt
– [ ] Request school records (if applicable)
– [ ] Confirm withdrawal processing with school

Academics (Weeks 1-4):
– [ ] Begin curriculum (don’t worry about perfection)
– [ ] Establish daily schedule (may adjust later)
– [ ] Start simple record-keeping (calendar, hour log)
– [ ] Expect resistance or adjustment period—normal
– [ ] Keep first month light and flexible

Social:
– [ ] Attend first co-op meeting or group event
– [ ] Meet other homeschooling families
– [ ] Join local group email list

Mindset:
– This month is about adjusting, not achieving. Prioritize routine over content completion.

Month 2: Finding Your Rhythm (September/October or Following Month)

Academics:
– [ ] Curriculum should feel more routine
– [ ] Assess what’s working and what isn’t
– [ ] Make curriculum adjustments if needed (it’s okay!)
– [ ] Confirm you’re on pace for 875 hours
– [ ] Add enrichment activities (field trips, projects)

Administrative:
– [ ] Confirm school withdrawal complete
– [ ] Receive all requested records
– [ ] File PI-1206 if not done (DEADLINE: October 15)
– [ ] Begin saving PI-1206 confirmation

Record-keeping:
– [ ] Refine your hour-tracking system
– [ ] Start collecting work samples
– [ ] Document what curriculum you’re using

Social:
– [ ] Attend second group meeting
– [ ] Invite co-op friends over or arrange field trip
– [ ] Join any co-op classes starting this month

Adjustment:
– [ ] Children should be adjusting to homeschool
– [ ] Anxiety about “falling behind” may emerge—it’s normal

Month 3: Settled In (October/November or Following Month)

Academics:
– [ ] Routine should feel established
– [ ] Curriculum pace clearer
– [ ] Children confident in homeschool rhythm
– [ ] Continue enrichment and co-op classes

Planning:
– [ ] Plan for fall/winter holidays (will you school through them?)
– [ ] Prepare for second semester transition if applicable
– [ ] Identify any curriculum adjustments for spring

Administrative:
– [ ] Confirm PI-1206 filed (MUST be by October 15)
– [ ] Keep all records and confirmations
– [ ] Update your master plan if needed

Assessment (Light):
– [ ] Observe children’s progress informally
– [ ] Review work samples
– [ ] Gauge learning in daily discussions
– [ ] No formal testing required, but optional testing possible this month

Months 4-6: Cruising Along (Dec-Feb)

Academics:
– [ ] Following established rhythm
– [ ] Curriculum progressing at predictable pace
– [ ] Children engaged and learning
– [ ] Adjust pacing if moving too fast/slow

Holidays/Breaks:
– [ ] Winter break (usually 2 weeks, Dec 20-Jan 5 or similar)
– [ ] Light school or complete break—your choice
– [ ] Plan for spring semester transition

Planning Spring:
– [ ] Plan spring field trips and enrichment
– [ ] Order any spring curriculum needs
– [ ] Consider summer plans (continue light, take break, intensify)

Records:
– [ ] Keep collecting work samples
– [ ] Maintain hour log or schedule
– [ ] Document any testing or major accomplishments

Months 7-9: Spring Momentum (Mar-May)

Academics:
– [ ] Spring curriculum and activities
– [ ] Increased outdoor learning possible
– [ ] Final push toward year-end objectives

End-of-Year Assessment:
– [ ] By late April, review year progress
– [ ] Assess whether 875-hour requirement on track
– [ ] Check that all 6 subjects covered
– [ ] Gather any final work samples

Planning Year 2:
– [ ] Decide on curriculum for next year (May-June)
– [ ] Attend curriculum fair if available
– [ ] Order year 2 curriculum early (August ships later)
– [ ] Reflect on year 1 (what worked? what didn’t?)

Administrative:
– [ ] Make notes on what to keep/change
– [ ] Organize year 1 records in files
– [ ] Plan for year 2 PI-1206 filing (due Oct 15 again)

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Year-End Assessment (May-June)

Review Year 1

Academic review:
– [ ] Confirmed 875 hours met (or close estimate)
– [ ] All 6 required subjects covered
– [ ] Work samples collected by subject
– [ ] Progress documented

Curriculum reflection:
– [ ] What curriculum worked well?
– [ ] What didn’t work?
– [ ] What would you change?
– [ ] Are any programs worth keeping?

Scheduling reflection:
– [ ] Did your schedule work?
– [ ] What adjustments needed for year 2?
– [ ] Best time of day for subjects?
– [ ] Realistic daily hours?

Social/support reflection:
– [ ] Which groups/co-ops helpful?
– [ ] Made good connections?
– [ ] Need different community support year 2?

Organize Records

File away:
– [ ] PI-1206 confirmation receipt
– [ ] Work samples by subject
– [ ] Curriculum records
– [ ] Hour tracking documentation
– [ ] Any optional test scores
– [ ] Attendance/schedule calendar

Keep for:
– 7 years (matching DPI retention period)
– College transcript building (if high school)
– Your own reference

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Planning Year 2 (May-July)

Repeat Pre-Start Planning (Shorter Version)

• [ ] Revisit curriculum (keep favorites, replace what didn’t work)
• [ ] Attend WHPA curriculum fair (summer or early fall)
• [ ] Refine your schedule based on year 1 experience
• [ ] Plan budget for year 2
• [ ] Adjust approach if needed (looser? more structured? different philosophy?)
• [ ] Plan co-op/group participation for year 2

Administrative Prep

• [ ] Gather info for next year’s PI-1206 (Oct 15 deadline applies every year)
• [ ] Plan filing reminder system
• [ ] Review and improve record-keeping system

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Timeline at a Glance

Timeline	Task
2-3 months before start	Explore, decide, research
1 month before start	Select curriculum, buy supplies
2 weeks before start	Send withdrawal letter, register HOMER
Start date	File PI-1206, begin school
Week 2	Adjust schedule, establish routine
Month 2	Refine curriculum and schedule, file PI-1206 if not done
Month 3	Settled in, assess what’s working
Months 4-6	Cruise along, plan spring
Months 7-9	Final push, assess year, plan year 2
May-June	Organize records, reflect on year 1
July-August	Plan year 2, order curriculum
October 15	File next year’s PI-1206 (deadline)

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FAQ

Q: What if we don’t start in August?

This timeline adjusts. If starting January, compress pre-start to 4-6 weeks. File PI-1206 within 30 days.

Q: What if we’re not ready by our target start date?

Delay. Starting mid-September instead of early September is fine. Delays happen. Adjust your timeline as needed.

Q: Do I really need to plan 2-3 months ahead?

No, not essential. You can decide quickly and start. But advance planning reduces stress and helps avoid rushing decisions.

Q: What if things aren’t working by month 3?

It’s okay to change curriculum or approach in month 3 or even month 6. First year is learning for you too.

Q: When do I plan for high school credits and transcripts?

By year 9 (when entering high school). Maintain careful records from that point forward.

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