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FAQs



General Questions

Q:

What is Valley Home Schoolers, Inc. (VHS)?

A:

VHS is a Christian homeschool community in the Fox Cities area for families who have filed the WI-DPI Form PI-1206.

All of our activities are volunteer led, making a wide range of opportunities possible. By working together in this endeavour, we are building community.

Q:

What is the purpose of VHS?

A:

VHS provides the structure for members to support one another in the adventure and responsibility of homeschooling our children.

Q:

What are the benefits of being a member of VHS?

A:

VHS-sponsored and volunteer led activities such as field trips, social events, sports teams, clubs, classes, co-op groups, and members-only website, create a sense of community among families who share similar goals and values for their homeschooled children.

Requirements & Eligibility

Q:

What are the requirements for membership with VHS?

A:

The five requirement for participating in VHS are:

  • Comply with Wisconsin's homeschooling laws, including, but not limited to, filing the Wisconsin DPI Form PI-1206.
  • Agree to support and uphold the VHS Purpose Statement and the Statement of Faith.
  • Complete a New Member Application form or Membership Renewal form.
  • Stay current on membership fees.
  • Members are required to fulfill a volunteer commitment  VHS during each membership term.  Please see Volunteer Commitment Section

Q:

What is the VHS membership term?

A:

July 1 through June 30

Q:

Can new members join VHS at any time during the year?

A:

Our new membership registration period starts on or about April 1 of each year and closes on October 31.  To join VHS outside of this period, please complete the Contact Us form.

Q:

Can preschool families join VHS?

A:

Yes.  Preschool families can join VHS before the required age to submit the Wisconsin DPI form PI-1206.  VHS acknowledges that homeschooling begins at birth.  If a homeschooled child is under the age of six, that family is considered a homeschool family by VHS if they will then file the Wisconsin DPI form PI-1206 when the child is of age. When VHS families file the annual Wisconsin DPI form PI-1206 for one or more children, they are then officially a homeschool family.

Q:

How are public charter/virtual schools different from homeschooling?

A:

Both charter and virtual charter schools are public schools. Charter schools are actual brick-and-mortar schools your child attends. With a virtual charter school, school work is done by the student in their home. While curricula may be different in some cases, charter and virtual charter schools are under the jurisdiction of the local public school district and the WI DPI. A home school student is different from a public charter or virtual charter school student. In Wisconsin, when of age, a homeschool student must complete the DPI form PI-1206 to comply with WI homeschooling law. Homeschools are private schools, not public schools, and therefore are not subject to compliance with state standards, state-mandated testing, etc. Parents take direct responsibility for the education of their home school student.

Q:

Are public charter virtual school students eligible to join VHS?

A:

Public charter virtual school students are public school students, not homeschooled students. If all your children are of school age and all are public charter school students, then VHS is not the appropriate group for your family. However, VHS families can and do employ a variety of schooling types for their children. If at least one child of a family is homeschooled and files the annual Wisconsin DPI form PI-1206, then that family does qualify for membership in VHS. The public or private-school students of a member family are welcome to attend many VHS events. There are other VHS activities that will be open to homeschooled students only. Public or private-school students should not be attending events or participating in groups/clubs without their homeschooled sibling(s). Please note that the VHS sports programs will require all participants to be homeschooled students who have filed or will file the WI DPI form PI-1206. 

VHS Documents

Volunteer Commitments

Q:

What does a volunteer commitment all entail?

A:

At enrollment time each year, members choose a commitment from a pre-established list of activities and support roles—including popular programs, events, and behind-the-scenes needs. Commitments may be big or small, short-term or ongoing, online or in person. Each one helps VHS offer meaningful experiences for families.

You get to choose your role based upon availability
The list is designed to support our group's core acvitivies and needs.  Whether you enjoy organizing, teaching, hands-on help, planning, or working behind the scenes, there’s a role that fits your skills, interests, and availability. Members are also welcome to propose new ideas or future activities.

You feel part of VHS
Volunteering turns you into an active part of the community. By stepping into a shared commitment, you help shape VHS’s culture, build relationships, and strengthen the sense of belonging. You’re not just observing—you’re helping build the group and its spirit.

VHS stays vibrant and sustainable
The energy and success of VHS come from families pitching in. When many people choose commitments from the shared list, VHS can reliably offer programs, grow in new directions, and remain a thriving homeschool community.

We are serving one another.
At its heart, the VHS commitments are about families serving families. Every class offered, event organized, field trip coordinated and activity supported happens because members are willing to contribute their time and talents. By fulfilling a commitment, you help create opportunities not only for your own children, but for every family in our community. When each member does their part, the workload is shared, no one person carries the burden alone, and together we build a stronger, more connected homeschool community.

At VHS, we take volunteer commitments seriously. Our organization depends on members who are willing to contribute their time and talents to support the group.

When you choose a commitment, you are agreeing to complete it. We ask every member to honor their commitment so that VHS events, programs, and activities can operate smoothly and successfully.

Because VHS is a cooperative community, each member's contribution matters. We cannot maintain an active and thriving homeschool group without volunteers, leaders, and participants working together. Every commitment—whether large or small—plays an important role in creating opportunities and experiences for our families.

Q:

It is my first year in VHS.  Do I need to fulfill a volunteer commitment?

A:

Yes, all members must fulfill a volunteer commitment as part of their membership.

Q:

How many volunteer commitments must a family fulfill each school year?

A:

Families are required to fulfill one volunteer commitment from the commitment sign-up each school year as part of their membership. You’re welcome to serve in more than one role if you wish.

Some activities—such as sports programs—may require extra volunteer support from participating families. These extra tasks do not count toward the basic volunteer commitment.

Q:

Are background checks required for volunteer commitments?

A:

Background checks are required only for certain volunteer roles, primarily those involving teaching, coaching, or supervising students when parents are not present.

Q:

I am unable to complete a volunteer commitment due to my family's circumstances. Can I still participate?

A:

Yes. A limited number of volunteer commitment buyouts are available each school year. Families who choose this option pay the buyout fee at enrollment and are excused from completing a volunteer commitment for that year. Please contact us for current pricing and availability.

Miscellaneous

Q:

I borrowed something from the VHS Library. When must it be back?

A:

All resources borrowed from the library are due back on June 30.

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