Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Montana - a low-regulation state with sports access for homeschoolers. Annual notification, 180 days of instruction, no testing, and one of the shortest compulsory age ranges (7-16) in the country. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Montana is a low-regulation state for homeschooling with several unique benefits. The requirements are straightforward: file an annual notification with your county superintendent, provide 180 days of instruction, and maintain attendance records. There is no testing, no curriculum approval, and no teacher qualifications required.
Montana stands out for two notable features. First, it has one of the shortest compulsory age ranges in the country at 7 to 16, meaning children are not required to start formal education until age 7 and the requirement ends at just 16. Second, Montana allows homeschoolers to participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities - a benefit that most states do not offer.
Montana is one of the few states where homeschoolers have guaranteed access to public school sports and activities. Combined with no testing requirements and a short compulsory age range (7-16), Montana is among the most favorable states for homeschool families.
Montana has a single, straightforward compliance path for homeschoolers. Under Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-109, home schools are recognized as a valid form of education with simple requirements and minimal oversight.
| Requirement | Montana Homeschool |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Mont. Code Ann. § 20-5-102, § 20-5-109 |
| Notification | Annual - to county superintendent |
| Attendance | 180 days (720 hrs grades 1-3 / 1,080 hrs grades 4-12) |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | Same as public schools (generally) |
| Curriculum | No approval required |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | Attendance records (kept at home) |
Montana's compulsory attendance law (§ 20-5-102) requires children ages 7 to 16 to attend school. Home schools satisfy this requirement when families file the required notification and provide the specified hours of instruction.
Montana's 7 to 16 compulsory age range is one of the shortest in the country. Most states require attendance from ages 5 or 6 through 17 or 18. In Montana, formal education does not need to begin until age 7, and the compulsory requirement ends at 16 - two years earlier than most states.
Starting to homeschool in Montana is a simple process. The key step is filing a notification with your county superintendent before beginning instruction each year.
File your notification before starting instruction each year. This is an annual requirement - you must re-file every year, not just when you first begin homeschooling. Keep a copy of your notification for your records.
Contact your county superintendent's office to ask about their preferred format for the notification. While there is no standardized state form, most counties have a simple process. Blue Folder can help you track your notification deadline and stay on top of annual filing. Try it free →
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Track your notification deadline, log attendance hours, and stay organized automatically.
Montana requires 180 days of instruction per year, with specific hour minimums that vary by grade level.
| Grade Level | Days Required | Hours Required |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 1-3 | 180 days | 720 hours |
| Grades 4-12 | 180 days | 1,080 hours |
Montana requires you to maintain attendance records, but these records are kept at home and do not need to be submitted to anyone. Scheduling is flexible - you can organize your 180 days and hours in whatever way works best for your family.
Track your hours and days throughout the year to make sure you hit the targets. For grades 1-3, 720 hours over 180 days averages about 4 hours per day. For grades 4-12, 1,080 hours over 180 days averages about 6 hours per day. Blue Folder makes attendance tracking automatic. Try it free →
Montana requires you to maintain attendance records at home, but no other record-keeping is mandated by law. You do not need to maintain a portfolio, submit curriculum plans, or file progress reports.
Montana's record requirements are minimal, but keeping organized records pays off for college preparation, transfers, and your own peace of mind. Blue Folder tracks attendance, stores work samples, and builds a compliance binder automatically. Try it free →
Montana does not require any annual evaluation, testing, or assessment of homeschool students. There are no standardized tests, no portfolio reviews, and no progress reports to submit.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes. Common options include:
While Montana does not require testing, college-bound students will need ACT or SAT scores for admissions to most universities. The University of Montana (Missoula) and Montana State University (Bozeman) both accept homeschool applicants with parent-created transcripts and standardized test scores.
Montana requires instruction in subjects "the same as those taught in public schools" (generally). However, this is broadly interpreted, and there is no specific subject list that must be followed, no curriculum approval process, and no standards to meet. Parents choose their own materials and methods.
While Montana's subject requirement is broadly stated, covering a well-rounded set of core subjects positions your child well for college admission and keeps you clearly within the intent of the law. There is no enforcement mechanism or review process for curriculum choices.
Montana has a simple compliance calendar with just one annual deadline plus ongoing attendance tracking.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Before starting each year | File notification | Annual notification to county superintendent with children's names, ages, address, and statement of intent. |
| Throughout the year | Maintain attendance | Track 180 days and hours (720 for grades 1-3, 1,080 for grades 4-12). Keep records at home. |
| Annually | Renew notification | File a new notification each year before starting instruction. |
The notification must be filed before starting instruction each year. This is an annual requirement - do not assume that your initial filing covers subsequent years. Set a reminder each summer to re-file before your school year begins.
Montana is one of the few states that allows homeschoolers to participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities. This "Tim Tebow" style access gives homeschool students the opportunity to play on public school teams, join band, choir, theater, and participate in other school-sponsored activities.
This is a major benefit that most states do not offer. If your child wants to compete in organized sports, contact your local public school to learn about tryout schedules, eligibility requirements, and available activities.
Montana does not currently offer ESA programs, vouchers, or tax credits specifically for homeschool families. ESA legislation has been under consideration. All homeschool costs are currently borne by the family.
With compulsory education ending at age 16, Montana families have the flexibility to allow older teens to pursue early college enrollment, vocational training, apprenticeships, or other educational paths without the constraints of compulsory attendance laws.
Montana homeschool law is straightforward, but new families still run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
Your two key compliance obligations in Montana are annual notification and attendance tracking. File your notification before each school year and keep a running log of your days and hours. Blue Folder automates both of these for you.
Don't miss your annual notification
Blue Folder tracks your deadlines, logs attendance hours, and keeps your records organized automatically.
Track Montana ComplianceYou notify the county superintendent (not the school district). File your notification before starting instruction each year with the children's names, ages, your address, and a statement of intent to homeschool.
Yes. Montana allows homeschool students to participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities. Contact your local public school to learn about available programs and eligibility requirements.
Yes. You must file a new notification each year before starting instruction. This is not a one-time filing.
Ages 7 to 16. This is one of the shortest compulsory ranges in the country. Children under 7 and over 16 are not subject to compulsory attendance.
No. Montana does not require any standardized testing, evaluations, portfolio reviews, or progress reports for homeschool students.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Montana Office of Public Instruction or consult a qualified attorney. For additional support, see the Montana Coalition of Home Educators and HSLDA Montana page. Last updated February 2026.