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Montana

Easy

Homeschool legal: ✅ Yes ·Last verified: 2026-03 ·State code: MT

Overview

Instruction days
180 days per year
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in this state
Regulatory body
County Superintendent of Schools — annual notice filing and attendance records
Official website
https://www.mtche.org

Notice Requirements

Notice required
Yes — notice must be filed
Deadline
Annual notice to the county superintendent of schools. No mandated form or deadline — may be submitted in person, by letter, or by phone (written record recommended).
Frequency
Annual — must re-file each school year
Reporting
Required (annually)

Assessment Requirements

Assessment required
No — assessment is optional

Curriculum & Qualifications

Required subjects
Subjects required of public schools as a basic instructional program (as defined by the Montana Board of Public Education)Includes: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health, Fine Arts, Physical Education (varies by grade)
Teacher qualifications
No specific teaching credentials required
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement

Additional Notes

Montana requires annual notice to the county superintendent and 180 days of instruction (720 hours for grades 1–3; 1,080 hours for grades 4–12) in subjects required of public schools. No testing, no teacher qualifications. Attendance and immunization records must be maintained. High school sports via MHSA are blocked for homeschoolers, but K–8 sports and part-time enrollment (HB 396, 2023) provide alternatives.

Tips for Homeschooling in Montana

  1. 1

    File your notice on time: "Annual notice to the county superintendent of schools. No mandated form or deadline — may be submitted in person, by letter, or by phone (written record recommended).". Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before to prepare documents.

  2. 2

    No formal assessment is required in Montana. Consider voluntary portfolio tracking to document your child's progress for college applications.

  3. 3

    Join a local Montana homeschool co-op or support group. Peer connections help with curriculum sharing, field trips, and social opportunities for your learner.

Open Montana Checklist →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with County Superintendent of Schools — annual notice filing and attendance records or a qualified education attorney.