Homeschool benefits: Wilmette School District 39

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 accepts resident homeschooled students for part-time attendance in its regular education program when space is available, with fees prorated to a share of full-time fees. Send your request to the principal of your attendance-area school before May 1 for the next school year.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Homeschooled and lives in District 39

   Policy 7:40 accepts nonpublic school students, including home-schooled students, who live within the district.

2. Asks before May 1

   Submit the request to the building principal of the school in your attendance area before May 1 for the following school year.

3. A seat is available

   Part-time attendance is on a space-available basis, and your child must meet the school's discipline and attendance requirements.

What part-time enrollment gives you

The terms come from District 39 Board Policy 7:40, revised September 15, 2025, and the district's fee and bus registration pages.

Regular-education classes

When space allows

Fees

Prorated share

Co-curricular activities

Tied to enrolled classes

Round-trip bus, 2026-27

$1,050 per rider

One-way bus, 2026-27

$629 per rider

Fees with free lunch eligibility

Waived

The district's fee page does not list instructional fee amounts, so ask the district office what your child's prorated share will be.

How to enroll part time

1. Before May 1

   Ask the principal

   Write to the principal of your attendance-area school with the classes you want for the next school year.

2. After acceptance

   Register

   Complete District 39 registration and enrollment for your child.

3. By July 9

   Register for the bus

   Riders registered by July 9 are guaranteed a spot. Registration for 2026-27 is closed, so email the district to join the waiting list.

4. During the year

   Pay prorated fees

   Pay fees as a percentage of full-time fees and follow the school's attendance and discipline rules.

What it includes

Included

• Regular-education classes
• Co-curricular activities tied to those classes
• Busing on established routes
• Special education services when needed

Not included

• Transportation off established bus routes
• Requests made after May 1
• Students living outside District 39

Good to know

• Your child attends the school for your area

  Your child attends the school serving your attendance area: one of Central, Harper, McKenzie, or Romona elementary schools, Highcrest Middle School, or Wilmette Junior High School.

• Bus service runs on regular routes

  Your child rides regular routes on the same basis as full-time students; parents handle transportation off those routes. For 2026-27, District 39 charges $1,050 per rider round trip or $629 one way.

Who to contact about part-time enrollment

The district office at 615 Locust Road handles registration and fee questions and connects you with your school's principal.

847-512-6000 Registration and enrollment

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Illinois

You do not have to file a homeschool notice.

Illinois sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach language arts, math, biological, physical, and social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health, in English, at least at public-school level.
• Testing: Illinois does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Illinois does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: The instructor must be competent; no state teaching certificate is required.

Read the Illinois homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Illinois

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