Montana families choose to educate their children at home for many reasons: flexibility, the ability to tailor instruction to the child’s needs, providing religious or cultural education, or responding to special needs. Homeschooling is legal and relatively flexible in Montana, but families must understand and comply with state laws.
Understanding Montana’s Homeschool Law
Compulsory attendance and exemption
Montana’s compulsory attendance statute requires children aged 7 to 16 to receive instruction until the later of their sixteenth birthday or the completion of eighth grade. Parents may satisfy this requirement by enrolling their child in a public school or by qualifying for an exemption under the nonpublic or home school statute (MCA 20‑5‑109). A home school is defined as instruction by a parent of their child, stepchild or ward in the parent’s residence.
Four requirements for home schools (updated 2025)
Montana House Bill 778, signed on May 13 2025, revised MCA 20‑5‑109. It eliminated the requirement for homeschoolers to provide immunization records and removed the requirement that the school be housed in a building complying with local health and safety regulations. As of the 2025–26 school year, home schools must meet only four requirements to obtain an exemption from compulsory attendance:
- Annual notification. Each fiscal year the parent must notify the county superintendent of schools where the home school is located. This notification is required only for children aged 7–16; parents may withdraw younger or older students without notification but are encouraged to file notices to avoid truancy questions. The notice can be a simple letter; some counties provide forms but parents are not required to use them. Notification should be submitted before the first week of the school term to avoid truancy.
- Attendance records. Parents must maintain attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent upon request. The law no longer requires maintaining immunization records for home school students. Hours of instruction are counted from July 1 to June 30 each fiscal year.
- Minimum instructional hours. Home schools must provide at least the same aggregate hours as public schools: 720 hours per year for grades 1‑3 and 1 080 hours per year for grades 4‑12. Kindergarten requires 360 hours for half‑time or 720 hours for full‑time, although notification is not compulsory for children under seven.
- Organized course of study. Instruction must include the subjects required in public schools as a basic instructional program. Parents have discretion over educational philosophy and materials (see §20‑5‑111) but must cover core subjects (discussed below).
Montana law no longer requires home schools to keep immunization records or to be located in a building meeting health and safety codes. Those requirements still apply to nonpublic schools, which must maintain both attendance and immunization records and be housed in a building that meets health and safety regulations.
Responsibilities and rights of parents
Under MCA 20‑5‑111, parents who home school are solely responsible for the educational philosophy, curriculum and textbooks, schedule, and evaluation of instruction. The state does not prescribe a curriculum; parents may choose or design materials that fit their children’s learning styles. Parents should, however, align their program with the subject areas required in public schools (below).
Part‑time public school enrollment and extracurricular activities
- Part‑time enrollment (HB 396). House Bill 396 (effective July 1 2023) requires school districts to admit children enrolled in a home or nonpublic school as part‑time enrollees upon a parent’s request. A “part‑time enrollee” is a student taking certain courses at the public school while primarily homeschooled. Each district sets its own policies for enrollment, and parents should contact their local school for details.
- Extracurricular participation. MCA 20‑5‑112 prohibits school districts or athletic organizations from denying participation in extracurricular activities solely because a student attends a home or nonpublic school. Home school students must meet the same participation standards as full‑time public school students. Academic eligibility for home schoolers must be attested by the parent/educator and verified by the public school principal; no tests are required.
Students with disabilities and special education
Under federal law, homeschooled students registered with the county superintendent are treated as parentally‑placed private school students. They do not have an individual right to receive all special‑education services available in public schools. Families seeking services should consult their local school district.
Standardized testing
Montana does not require homeschool students to participate in state standardized tests. Parents may choose voluntary assessments to gauge progress; some colleges and scholarship programs request ACT/SAT or other standardized scores for admission.
Required Subjects and Curriculum
Montana does not provide a prescribed curriculum but requires home schools to teach the subjects that make up the basic education program in accredited public schools. These standards are contained in the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM 10.55.901–10.55.905). Summaries of program areas include:
Elementary school (grades K‑6)
The elementary program must enable students to meet the state’s content standards and recognize the distinct cultural heritage of American Indians. Reading and writing literacy must be incorporated across all subject areas. Content standards cover English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health and physical education, and the arts, and districts may add other subjects.
Middle grades (grades 7‑8)
For middle school or junior high, schools must provide an education program aligned with state standards that allows students to meet content expectations. Required program areas include English language arts, mathematics, physical and life sciences, social studies, and health/physical education. Students must also have access to program areas such as visual arts, music, career and technical education (CTE) and world languages.
In a departmentalized junior‑high model, each student must complete at least one unit each year of English, social studies, mathematics, science and half a unit of health/physical education; they should also have opportunities to elect courses in the arts, CTE and languages.
High school (grades 9‑12) and graduation requirements
High school programs must include a minimum of 20 units of study that align with Montana content standards and allow students to meet the required learning progressions. Of these 20 units, at least 13 units must include the following program areas:
| Program area | Required units (minimum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English language arts | 4 units | Reading and writing should be integrated across other courses. |
| Mathematics | 2 units | A ½ unit of economics or financial literacy may count toward math or CTE requirements. |
| Social studies | 2 units | Must include ½ unit of civics or government. |
| Science | 2 units | Includes physical and life sciences. |
| Health and physical education | 1 unit | Often integrated with health enhancement. |
| Arts | 1 unit | Visual and/or musical arts. |
| Career and technical education | 1 unit | May include agriculture, business, family and consumer science, health occupations or industrial technology. |
| Economics/financial literacy (within math, social studies or CTE) | ½ unit | May be embedded in other courses. |
Note: Although these graduation requirements apply to public schools, homeschool families planning to issue their own high‑school diplomas or seeking smooth transitions to public schools/colleges should incorporate similar credit distributions. Units are defined as 8 100 minutes (approximately 135 hours) of instruction or proficiency demonstration.
Selecting curriculum and instructional approaches
Since parents have full authority over curriculum, they may choose from many philosophies:
- Structured/Traditional programs: full packaged curricula from publishers (e.g., Abeka, Alpha Omega, Bob Jones, Calvert, Pearson Online Academy). A Lake County curriculum list (updated April 2025) notes that many providers offer accredited or faith‑based K‑12 programs. Programs vary in worldview (Christian, secular, Mennonite, etc.) and may provide correspondence or online courses.
- Eclectic or DIY approaches: combining textbooks, online courses, project‑based learning and real‑world experiences. Parents can align materials with Montana’s content standards and tailor learning to their child.
- Unschooling or child‑led education: focusing on interests rather than formal curricula. Montana law does not dictate teaching methods but still requires coverage of core subjects and minimum instructional hours.
For math and English support, EdReady Montana offers free, personalized online study plans. The program, available at no cost thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, builds a study path based on a student’s diagnostic results and is used by over 600 schools and programs in the state.
Parents may also use free resources such as Khan Academy, CK‑12, PBS LearningMedia, Crash Course, Smithsonian Learning Lab, or open‑source textbooks. For high‑schoolers seeking advanced coursework, the Montana Digital Academy (MTDA) offers supplemental online courses (original credit, dual credit and AP) that homeschool students may access through their local public school. MTDA notes that it is not a school and therefore does not enroll students directly; homeschoolers must register through a public school in their attendance zone.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Starting Homeschooling in Montana
- Research and commit. Clarify your reasons for homeschooling and review state laws. Understand the age requirements (7–16) and the four statutory requirements.
- Develop an educational philosophy and plan. Decide on your teaching philosophy (structured, eclectic, unschooling, etc.) and consider how your child learns best. Under MCA 20‑5‑111, you control philosophy, curriculum, schedule and evaluation.
- Notify the county superintendent. Before your child is considered truant, send a Notice of Intent to your county superintendent each year. The notice should include the names and ages of children being homeschooled and the parent’s signature. Some counties (e.g., Missoula, Flathead, Gallatin) offer online forms; however, a signed letter suffices. Submit it by the first week of the district’s school term.
- Establish your academic calendar and schedule. Plan to provide 720 hours of instruction per year for grades 1‑3 and 1 080 hours for grades 4‑12. The school year runs July 1 – June 30, but you may schedule lessons flexibly within that window. For younger children (K‑6) the law is silent on an academic calendar but following similar rhythms can help.
- Design your curriculum. Ensure your program covers English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health/physical education, and the arts. For middle and high school, incorporate CTE and world languages options. High schoolers aiming for graduation or college should complete at least 20 units, including four English units, two math units, two science units, two social studies units (with civics), one art unit, one CTE unit and one unit of health/PE. Use textbooks, online courses, co‑op classes or experiential learning to meet these goals.
- Maintain records. Keep attendance logs documenting instructional hours. Record courses taken, curriculum used, grades, and credits. At year‑end you must provide attendance records to the county superintendent only if requested. Various free templates for attendance sheets and high‑school transcripts are available online (e.g., 123Homeschool4Me, HSLDA, HomeEducator.com).
- Evaluate progress. While standardized tests are not mandatory, many families administer annual assessments (e.g., Iowa Test of Basic Skills, CAT, CLT) to benchmark student progress. High‑school students planning to attend college should take the ACT or SAT, and may consider AP, CLEP or dual‑credit courses through MTDA or local colleges.
- Plan for socialization and activities. Encourage your child to participate in local homeschool co‑ops, 4‑H clubs, Scouts, sports leagues, music and art classes, community theatre or volunteering. Under MCA 20‑5‑112, homeschooled students may participate in public‑school extracurricular activities as long as they meet the same standards.
- Explore part‑time enrollment or dual credit. If your child needs specialized courses (e.g., lab sciences, foreign language, AP Chemistry), HB 396 allows part‑time enrollment in public schools. MTDA also offers a variety of online courses. Contact the local school to arrange enrollment and confirm whether fees apply.
- Stay informed and connected. Laws and opportunities change. Regularly check updates from the Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MCHE), the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and your county superintendent. Join support groups (see below) to share experiences, get curriculum advice and attend field trips.
Support Groups and State‑Wide Organizations
Connecting with other families reduces isolation and provides mentorship. Montana has numerous regional support groups, many of which are listed by the Montana Coalition of Home Educators. The MCHE notes that support groups are “one of the most valuable and important components of home education”. Groups vary from informal meet‑ups to structured co‑ops offering classes. Below are a few examples (contact details may change; verify before joining):
| Region/County | Group name & contact | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County (Libby) | A.R.K. Builders Homeschool Support Group – Michele Elliott, 114 Cherry Creek Drive, Libby, MT 59923, (406) 293‑5849 | General support and activities for families in Lincoln County. |
| Deer Lodge & Silver Bow Counties | Anaconda Homeschool Alliance – contact: AmyLyn Kellogg, (406) 563‑3607 | Provides meetings and events in the Anaconda area. |
| Beaverhead County (Dillon) | Beaverhead Area Community of Homeschoolers – Starr Van Dalen, 187 Trista Dr., Dillon, MT 59725, (406) 660‑0989 | Regional network for Beaverhead families. |
| Ravalli County | Bitterroot Homeschool Co‑Op – Julie Gertner | Offers co‑operative learning in the Bitterroot Valley. |
| Helena & surrounding counties | Branches Christian Homeschooler Co‑Op – brancheschristianhc@gmail.com | Provides classes and fellowship for families near Helena. |
| Great Falls area | Cascade County Homeschoolers – Conny Mikulski, 1304 Valley Viewe Dr., Great Falls, MT 59405 | Local support group in Cascade County. |
| Gallatin & Park Counties | Gallatin Christian Homeschool Co‑Op – www.gchcbozeman.org; contact: Jenny Larson | Offers weekly co‑op classes and social activities. |
| Flathead Valley | Flathead Valley Homeschool – fheassn@gmail.com; Facebook groups for support | Active network serving Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, Lakeside and surrounding communities. |
In addition to local groups, statewide organizations provide advocacy and information:
- Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MCHE) – a statewide advocacy group that tracks legislation, provides legal alerts, publishes the Montana Homeschool Reference Guide and maintains support group listings.
- Homeschool Montana (homeschoolmt.com) – offers resources, events (e.g., annual convention) and articles on legal compliance.
- Association of Nonpublic Schools of Montana – supports private schools and may offer advice on navigating accreditation and regulations.
- Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) – a national organization offering legal counsel and membership benefits; recognizes MCHE as Montana’s state homeschool organization.
Tools, Forms and Resources
Notification and record‑keeping tools
- County forms: Many county superintendents (e.g., Missoula, Flathead, Gallatin) provide downloadable Notice of Intent forms, attendance record sheets and federal program participation forms. For example, Missoula County lists separate forms for the Homeschool Attendance Record, Notice of Intent and Notification of Opportunity to Participate in Federal Programs. Parents may use these forms or submit their own letter.
- Attendance and transcript templates: The MCHE provides attendance form templates and links to free transcript generators. Popular sites like 123Homeschool4Me and HomeEducator.com also offer downloadable templates. HSLDA provides free high‑school transcript templates.
Curriculum and learning resources
- Montana Content Standards & Family Roadmaps: The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) publishes content standards and grade‑level “family roadmaps” describing what students should learn in each grade. These resources help parents ensure their curriculum aligns with state expectations.
- EdReady Montana: A free online program (grades 4–adult in math and grades 8–adult in English) that creates personalized study paths.
- Montana Digital Academy (MTDA): Offers online courses for middle and high school students. Homeschoolers must enroll through their local public school.
- Curriculum providers: Families can explore Abeka, Alpha Omega Publications, Bob Jones University Press, Calvert Homeschool, Pearson Online Academy, Seton Home Study School and more.
- Open educational resources (OER): Websites such as Khan Academy, CK‑12, PBS LearningMedia and Smithsonian Learning Lab offer free videos, lessons and interactive activities across subjects.
High‑school and college planning
- Transcripts and diplomas: Because Montana law does not require specific high‑school graduation criteria for home schools, parents should create transcripts that list courses, instructional hours (or credits), grades and a statement of completion. Aligning courses with the 20‑unit public‑school framework helps ensure smooth college admissions. Some colleges may require a GED/HiSET or accreditation; check admission policies early.
- Dual‑credit and AP courses: Through MTDA and local colleges (e.g., community colleges or Montana State University), high‑school students may enroll in dual‑credit or advanced placement courses. Credits earned may count toward both high‑school and college requirements.
- HiSET (High‑School Equivalency): Students who do not compile a traditional transcript may obtain a high‑school equivalency certificate by passing the HiSET exam. Missoula County provides links to HiSET information.
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