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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Montana

Montana requires yearly notice to the county superintendent, attendance records, minimum instructional hours, and an organized course of study in the public school basic subjects; no testing.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Montana at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
Notify the county superintendent of schools in the county where the home school is located each school fiscal year (July 1–June 30) of the student's attendance. (MCA 20-5-109(2)(a); MCA 20-1-301)
Testing
No
None in statute.
Record-keeping
Required
Maintain pupil attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent on request. (MCA 20-5-109(2)(b))
Immunization
Not required
Home schools need no immunizations or immunization records (MCA 20-5-109(2); 20-5-402(2)). Nonpublic schools require immunization, conditional attendance, or an exemption (MCA 20-5-403).
Required subjects
Yes, 1
The subjects required of public schools as a basic instructional program under MCA 20-7-111 (an organized course of study)
Instruction time
Minimum aggregate hours under MCA 20-1-301: 720 hours for grades 1–3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4–12
360/720 for half/full-time kindergarten
Parent qualifications
None stated; home school is instruction by a parent of the parent's child, stepchild or ward in the parent's residence
MCA 20-5-102(2)(e)
Compulsory school age
7 (before the first day of school) until the later of the 16th birthday or completion of 8th grade
MCA 20-5-102

Ways to homeschool here: Home school (MCA 20-5-109(2)) · Nonpublic school

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Overview

Montana’s home school exemption is administered by the elected county superintendent of schools, not the state Office of Public Instruction. A child in a home school may also enroll part-time in a public school (MCA 20-5-102(2)(e)).

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Notify the county superintendent of schools in the county where the home school is located each school fiscal year (July 1–June 30) of the student’s attendance. (MCA 20-5-109(2)(a); MCA 20-1-301)
  • Testing or assessment: None in statute.
  • Records: Maintain pupil attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent on request. (MCA 20-5-109(2)(b))
  • Subjects: The subjects required of public schools as a basic instructional program under MCA 20-7-111 (an organized course of study)
  • Instruction time: Minimum aggregate hours under MCA 20-1-301: 720 hours for grades 1–3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4–12 (360/720 for half/full-time kindergarten)
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated; home school is instruction by a parent of the parent’s child, stepchild or ward in the parent’s residence (MCA 20-5-102(2)(e))
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 7 (before the first day of school) until the later of the 16th birthday or completion of 8th grade (MCA 20-5-102)

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.