Homeschooling in Montana: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Montana combines a frontier spirit of independence with reasonable structure. The state asks for annual notification, specific instructional hours, and coverage of core subjects—but stops there. No standardized testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews.

What makes Montana distinctive is the tiered hour requirement: 720 hours for younger students (grades 1-3) and 1,080 hours for older students (grades 4-12). This acknowledges that educational intensity appropriately increases with age. The seven required subjects ensure breadth without dictating methods.

Montana also offers something many states don't—access to public school sports and extracurricular activities for homeschoolers. This opens athletic opportunities without sacrificing educational freedom. This guide walks through Montana's requirements, the notification process, and practical considerations for Big Sky Country homeschooling.

Montana Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Montana's Homeschool Framework

Montana treats homeschooling as a legitimate educational choice deserving state protection rather than heavy oversight. The framework is straightforward: notify annually, meet hour requirements, cover required subjects, keep attendance records available.

The fiscal year calendar: Montana operates on a "school fiscal year" running July 1 through June 30—not a traditional September start^[1]. Your annual notification and hour counting follow this calendar. Many families still start in August or September, but hours accumulate toward the July-June total.

County superintendent role: Your notification goes to the county superintendent of schools, not your local school district. The superintendent maintains records but doesn't approve curriculum or evaluate your program. This is documentation, not permission.

Attendance records on request: Montana requires you to keep attendance records and make them "available" to the county superintendent on request^[1]. In practice, requests are rare. Having records protects you if questions arise.

Instructional Hour Requirements

Montana's tiered hour requirement is one of its distinctive features. The hours differ by grade level, recognizing that older students need more intensive instruction^[1].

Grades 1-3: Minimum 720 hours per school fiscal year Grades 4-12: Minimum 1,080 hours per school fiscal year

What counts as instruction: Academic work, directed projects, educational field trips, music lessons, physical education, and similar purposeful activities. Most comprehensive homeschool programs easily meet these thresholds.

Practical calculation: - 720 hours across 170 days = about 4.2 hours daily - 1,080 hours across 170 days = about 6.4 hours daily

Tracking options: Some families keep detailed daily logs. Others track by subject and estimate hours. Montana doesn't specify a format—choose an approach that works for your family while demonstrating compliance if asked.

Required Subjects in Montana

Montana requires home schools to provide "an organized course of study" including instruction in subjects taught in public schools. Specifically^[1]:

Required subjects: - English language arts - Mathematics - Social studies (history, geography, civics) - Science - Health - Arts (visual arts, music, etc.) - Career education

What's flexible: Montana doesn't mandate specific curricula, textbooks, or teaching methods. You choose how to cover each subject based on your child's needs and your educational approach. Integrated studies counting toward multiple subjects are fine.

Career education clarified: This doesn't require vocational training. Career exploration, life skills, financial literacy, and similar preparation for adult life satisfy the requirement. Most families address this naturally through various learning activities.

High school depth: While Montana doesn't specify high school course sequences, plan with post-secondary goals in mind. Colleges typically expect English, math through algebra II or higher, laboratory sciences, social studies, and often foreign language.

How to Start Homeschooling in Montana

Record-Keeping Requirements

Montana requires maintaining attendance records that can be made available to the county superintendent on request^[1]. Beyond this minimum, thoughtful documentation serves your family well.

Required: Attendance records showing dates of instruction

Recommended additions: - Instructional hour log (supporting your hour total) - Curriculum documentation (subjects and materials) - Work samples demonstrating progress - Course descriptions (especially for high school) - Extracurricular activities

Why go beyond minimum: Thorough records support high school transcripts, college applications, and any transitions. You can't recreate this documentation retroactively. Building good habits from the start pays dividends later.

Format flexibility: Montana doesn't specify how to keep records. Daily logs, weekly summaries, subject-based tracking—choose what you'll actually maintain consistently. The best system is one you'll use.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Montana homeschool parents determine graduation requirements and issue diplomas. The state doesn't mandate high school course sequences or minimum credits—you define what graduation means for your family.

Creating transcripts: For college applications, create a comprehensive transcript documenting courses, grades, credits, and graduation date. Include course descriptions and your grading scale. Montana colleges understand homeschool transcripts.

Montana University System: State universities and colleges are homeschool-friendly. Requirements typically include transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and application materials. Some programs may request additional information.

Dual enrollment: Montana community colleges offer dual enrollment opportunities. Your high schooler can earn college credit while completing home education—excellent preparation and a head start on higher education.

Career and technical paths: Montana's community colleges and technical programs offer training in skilled trades and professions. Document relevant skills and experiences for these applications.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Montana is among the states providing homeschool access to public school sports and extracurricular activities. House Bill 778 and related legislation protect this right^[2].

How it works: Homeschooled students can participate in public school athletic programs and extracurricular activities in their resident district. Students must meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students (academic standing, behavior, etc.).

Practical steps: 1. Contact your local school's athletic director or activities coordinator 2. Understand eligibility requirements and registration deadlines 3. Complete required paperwork and health forms 4. Maintain academic standards your district requires

Beyond public schools: Montana's homeschool community also offers sports leagues, co-ops, and activities. Some families prefer these for scheduling flexibility or values alignment. Having both public school access and homeschool alternatives gives Montana families excellent options.

Financial Assistance

Montana currently offers no state-funded financial assistance specifically for homeschoolers—no ESAs, vouchers, or tax credits for home education expenses.

Budget considerations: Montana families bear full homeschool costs. Many homeschool effectively on modest budgets using library resources, used curriculum exchanges, and free online materials. Rural Montana families may face additional costs for co-op participation given distances.

Federal options: Coverdell Education Savings Accounts can cover some K-12 expenses. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Montana allows beginning homeschool at any point. Submit your notice to the county superintendent promptly. Pro-rate hour requirements for partial years.

Rural homeschooling: Montana's geography creates unique considerations. Many families are hours from homeschool groups or co-ops. Online resources, mail-order curriculum, and virtual communities help bridge distances. Some counties have active homeschool networks despite sparse population.

Moving to Montana: Submit your notice of intent to your new county superintendent. Montana doesn't require documentation from previous states, but maintain your records for transcripts and continuity.

Returning to public school: Students re-enrolling will be placed based on age and school assessment. Comprehensive records facilitate appropriate grade placement.

Early ending of compulsory attendance: Montana's compulsory education ends at age 16, earlier than many states. This provides flexibility for students pursuing alternative paths, though most families continue formal education through high school completion.

The Bottom Line

Montana offers a balanced approach to homeschooling—meaningful structure without burdensome oversight. Annual notification, tiered hour requirements, seven required subjects, and attendance records create a framework that's manageable for families while ensuring educational engagement.

The sports access provision sets Montana apart from many states. Your homeschooled student can participate in public school athletics without sacrificing educational freedom—a significant benefit for athletic families.

Your first step: prepare your notice of intent and submit it to your county superintendent. From there, establish hour tracking, select curriculum covering required subjects, and begin the rewarding work of home education in Big Sky Country.