How to Homeschool in Montana

In Montana, the vast landscapes of Big Sky Country—its towering peaks, sweeping prairies, and historic frontier towns—become your child’s classroom. Picture following elk migration patterns in Yellowstone or uncovering Native American heritage through hands-on explorations on the plains.

With Montana’s straightforward homeschool statutes and active community support, you’ll have everything you need to craft an engaging, personalized education. You’ve got this!

How Do I Start Homeschooling in Montana?

To begin, notify the County Superintendent of Schools (for the county where your homeschool is located) in writing within the first week of the public school term. If you withdraw mid-year, notify as you begin homeschooling. While some districts use a 10-day administrative window before they mark a student truant, the legal deadline is the first week, so send your notice right away.

This annual notice covers children who are age 7 before the first day of the school term and must continue until the child completes 8th grade or turns 16, whichever is later. (You may certainly homeschool younger or older students, but the notice isn’t required for them.)

Montana Homeschooling Laws and Requirements

Attendance and Instructional Time

Homeschools provide the same minimum hours as public schools:

• Grades 1–3: 720 hours per year
• Grades 4–12: 1,080 hours per year

These are aggregate hours, so your learning time can include field trips, reading, projects, co-op classes, and independent work—not just “seat time.” Montana’s school fiscal year runs July 1–June 30, which gives you flexibility to count summer learning toward your totals. (Note: For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours may be sufficient.)

Required Subjects

Teach the basic instructional program required of public schools. In practice, that includes:

• English language arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies
• Health
• Arts
• Career education (for elementary students, this simply means age-appropriate career awareness and practical life skills)

In addition, Montana law emphasizes Indian Education for All (IEFA)—learning about the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians in Montana. Most families weave IEFA into social studies and literature.

Recordkeeping

Keep attendance records at home and make them available if requested by the County Superintendent. (Montana no longer requires homeschool families to maintain or submit immunization records; no home inspections or building-code approvals are required.)

Standardized Testing

There is no statewide testing requirement for homeschools. Many families choose optional assessments for their own tracking.

Montana Homeschool Curriculum and Programs

Families may choose fully independent homeschooling, enroll under umbrella programs offered by private schools, or participate in cooperative groups.

Independent homeschoolers have full freedom to select mastery-based, multisensory curricula like:

• All About Reading for systematic phonics
• All About Spelling for structured spelling mastery
• All About Math for concrete, multisensory math instruction

Remember: fit the curriculum to your child, not your child to the curriculum.

Accredited umbrella programs and online academies can offer structured lesson plans and community support. Some families also take advantage of part-time enrollment at their local public school for specific classes (e.g., band, chemistry) and may participate in extracurriculars through their resident district.

Homeschool Options and Free Resources in Montana

• Public library systems and the Montana State Library’s digital tools
• Open-education platforms and online resources
• Local co-ops for joint classes, clubs, and field trips
• The All About Learning Press Free Resources page provides downloadable learning activities and teaching tips to help inspire your homeschool.

Final Encouragement

Once you’ve sent your yearly notice, set a simple plan to meet your 720/1,080 hours, keep an easy attendance log, and choose materials that make learning click. You know your child best, and in Montana, you have the freedom to build a rich, memorable education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Montana’s Office of Public Instruction Homeschool Informational Packet
• Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) – Montana
• Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MCHE)
• Montana State Library
• All About Learning Press Free Resources

All About Learning Press cannot offer legal advice. Verify regulations with the Montana Office of Public Instruction or a local homeschool advocacy group. All information is correct as of December 2025.