Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Montana?

Yes. You send notice to the county superintendent of schools in the county where your home school is located, each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) that your child attends the home school; the law sets no specific date, so file at the start of each school year or when you begin homeschooling. How often: annually. Written notice to the county superintendent; many counties provide their own notification form (some accept it online or by email).

What subjects do I have to teach in Montana?

Montana requires: An organized course of study covering the subjects required of public schools in Montana's basic instructional program (set by the Board of Public Education's accreditation standards); Instruction about the U.S. Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance is required of public schools for grades 3-12.

How many days or hours of homeschool does Montana require?

Minimum aggregate hours per school year: 720 hours for grades 1-3; 1,080 hours for grades 4-12 (1,050 may suffice for graduating seniors); kindergarten 360 (half-day) or 720 (full-day).

Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Montana?

None required; the parent is solely responsible for evaluating the home school instruction.

Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Montana?

None (must be the child's parent, stepparent, or guardian).

What records should I keep when homeschooling in Montana?

Pupil attendance records (must be made available to the county superintendent on request).

How to homeschool in Montana

Low regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

In Montana you notify your county superintendent of schools once each school year (July 1 to June 30) that your child is attending your home school. You keep attendance records, teach the subjects required of public schools, and meet minimum yearly hours (720 for grades 1-3, 1,080 for grades 4-12). There is no testing, and you choose your own curriculum, schedule, and way of evaluating your child.

Homeschooling in Montana at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the county superintendent of schools in the county where your home school is located); instruction time: minimum aggregate hours per school year: 720 hours for grades 1-3; 1,080 hours for grades 4-12 (1,050 may suffice for…

Requirements in Montana

Home school · Mont. Code Ann. §§ 20-5-102(2)(e), 20-5-109(2), 20-5-111

A parent instructs their own child, stepchild, or ward in the parent's residence. You notify the county superintendent each school year and keep attendance records; the parent alone decides the educational philosophy, curriculum, materials, schedule, and how to evaluate the child. A home-schooled child may also enroll part-time in a public school.

Notice: Send to: the county superintendent of schools in the county where your home school is located.
When: Each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) that your child attends the home school; the law sets no specific date, so file at the start of each school year or when you begin homeschooling.
How often: annually.
How: Written notice to the county superintendent; many counties provide their own notification form (some accept it online or by email).
Instruction time: Minimum aggregate hours per school year: 720 hours for grades 1-3; 1,080 hours for grades 4-12 (1,050 may suffice for graduating seniors); kindergarten 360 (half-day) or 720 (full-day).
Required subjects: An organized course of study covering the subjects required of public schools in Montana's basic instructional program (set by the Board of Public Education's accreditation standards).
Instruction about the U.S. Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance is required of public schools for grades 3-12.
Records to keep: Pupil attendance records (must be made available to the county superintendent on request).
Testing / evaluation: None required; the parent is solely responsible for evaluating the home school instruction.
Parent qualifications: None (must be the child's parent, stepparent, or guardian).
Also: Compulsory attendance covers children who are 7 before the first day of school until the later of their 16th birthday or completing 8th grade.

What the notice must include

A statement that you are operating a home school in that county this school year.
Each child attending the home school this school year (counties typically ask for the child's name and age or birthdate).
Parent's name and the home school's address (as your county's form requests).

Checklist

Notify your county superintendent of schools that your child is attending your home school: each school year (July 1 - June 30), at the start of the year or when you begin.
Keep attendance records and track instructional hours (720 for grades 1-3, 1,080 for grades 4-12): ongoing.
Teach an organized course of study in the subjects required of public schools: ongoing.

Leaving a public school

Montana law does not set a specific withdrawal procedure. Notify your county superintendent of your home school, and it is wise to tell your child's current school in writing that the child is now enrolled in a home school.

Common questions about homeschooling in Montana

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Montana?: Yes. You send notice to the county superintendent of schools in the county where your home school is located, each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) that your child attends the home school; the law sets no specific date, so file at the start of each school year or when you begin homeschooling. How often: annually. Written notice to the county superintendent; many counties provide their own notification form (some accept it online or by email).
What subjects do I have to teach in Montana?: Montana requires: An organized course of study covering the subjects required of public schools in Montana's basic instructional program (set by the Board of Public Education's accreditation standards); Instruction about the U.S. Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance is required of public schools for grades 3-12.
How many days or hours of homeschool does Montana require?: Minimum aggregate hours per school year: 720 hours for grades 1-3; 1,080 hours for grades 4-12 (1,050 may suffice for graduating seniors); kindergarten 360 (half-day) or 720 (full-day).
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Montana?: None required; the parent is solely responsible for evaluating the home school instruction.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Montana?: None (must be the child's parent, stepparent, or guardian).
What records should I keep when homeschooling in Montana?: Pupil attendance records (must be made available to the county superintendent on request).

Worth double-checking

A 2025 amendment (Ch. 724, L. 2025) removed the requirement that home schools keep immunization records; older guides still list it. Nonpublic (private) schools must still keep immunization records.
The law doesn't specify what the annual notice must contain or a due date; use your county superintendent's form if it has one.
The statute ties required subjects to the public-school basic instructional program without listing them; Montana's public-school content areas include English language arts, arts, health enhancement, math, science, social studies, and others. Confirm with your county superintendent or the Office of Public Instruction if unsure.

Sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.