Homeschool benefits: Appleton Area School District

Appleton Area School District must let your homeschooled child take up to two public school courses each semester when there is room, and resident homeschool students get first preference for open seats at Appleton's high schools. Apply at least six weeks before the course starts.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in the Appleton district

   Home-based and private school students must live in the Appleton Area School District to get the resident preference.

2. In a home-based program

   Your child is enrolled in a Wisconsin home-based private educational program, which state law lets attend up to two public school courses a semester.

3. Meets the admission standards

   For high school courses, your child must meet the standards for admission to high school. A younger student can take courses if the district decides they qualify.

4. Picks a course with space

   The district accepts part-time students only into courses with open seats, and resident homeschool students are placed before nonresident applicants.

What part-time attendance gives you

Wisconsin statute 118.53 sets the two-course limit, and Appleton Board Policy 423 sets the timeline and seating rules.

Courses per semester

Up to 2

Apply for a first-semester course

6 weeks before it starts

Apply for a second-semester course

6 weeks before it starts

District decision

At least 1 week before the course

Seats for resident homeschoolers

Filled before nonresidents

Transportation

Your responsibility

The district page does not list course fees for part-time students, so ask Enrollment Services whether your child's course carries a lab or materials fee.

From applying to attending

1. Before you apply

   Choose one or two courses

   Pick courses at an Appleton high school, or another public school for a younger student, and confirm your child meets any prerequisites.

2. 6 weeks before the course

   Apply to the district

   Policy 423 places first-semester requests on or before July 15 and second-semester requests in November. Contact Enrollment Services for the request.

3. 1 week before the course

   Get the decision

   Appleton notifies part-time applicants of acceptance or rejection no later than one week before the course begins.

4. During the course

   Drive your student

   Getting to and from the course is up to you unless state or federal law requires the district to provide transportation.

What it includes

Included

• Up to two public school courses a semester

Not included

• Transportation
• Part-time open enrollment in another district
• More than two courses a semester

Good to know

• Middle schoolers can take up to two courses

  Wisconsin law lets a homeschooled student who has not yet met high school admission standards take up to two courses a semester, if the district decides your child qualifies and there is space.

Who to contact about part-time courses

District Enrollment Services handles part-time and open enrollment applications and questions.

openenrollment@aasd.k12.wi.us 920-852-5308 Part-time enrollment page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Wisconsin

You must file PI-1206 with DPI each year between July 1 and October 15. For withdrawal from public or private school after October 15, submit or update it on or before the date attendance ends. Update it when changing districts or the number of enrolled children.

Wisconsin sets these rules:

• Subjects: Provide at least 875 instructional hours each year and a sequentially progressive curriculum in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health.
• Testing: Wisconsin does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Keep copies of submitted PI-1206 reports; DPI retains them for seven years. Detailed instructional records are recommended, with no routine state submission required.
• Teachers: Wisconsin does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Wisconsin homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Wisconsin

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