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Montana Homeschool Information

—Homeschool In Montana—

Homeschooling in Montana

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Find Out What the State Says About Home Education

Montana School Choice

Click above for general information on the school choice.

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Montana Board of Public Education

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Montana Homeschool Review

Montana offers a relatively flexible homeschooling environment, with clear requirements and minimal oversight. Here’s an overview of the key laws and guidelines for homeschooling in Montana:

đź“ť Legal Requirements for Homeschooling in Montana

  • Notice of Intent: Parents must annually notify the county superintendent of their intent to homeschool. This notice should be submitted at the beginning of each school year. 

  • Instructional Hours:

    • Grades 1–3: 720 hours per year

    • Grades 4–12: 1,080 hours per year
      These hours must be recorded and made available to the county superintendent upon request.

  • Curriculum: Homeschoolers are required to provide an organized course of study that includes instruction in subjects required of public schools, such as language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, arts, and career education. However, adherence to specific content standards is not mandated. 

  • Recordkeeping:

    • Maintain attendance records

    • Keep immunization records or appropriate exemption documentation

    • Retain these records for at least two years
      These records should be available for inspection by the county superintendent upon request.

đź“Ś Recent Legislative Update

As of May 13, 2025, Governor Greg Gianforte signed HB778 into law, which:

  • Eliminates the requirement for parents to provide immunization records to the county superintendent

  • Removes the stipulation that homeschooling must occur in a building complying with local health and safety regulations
    These changes simplify the homeschooling process in Montana. 

đź“š Additional Information

  • Compulsory School Age: Children must begin school by age 7 and continue until they turn 16 or complete 8th grade, whichever comes later.

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    • Special Education: Montana does not mandate special education services for homeschool students. Parents are responsible for addressing the educational needs of children with disabilities. 

    • Public School Access: Homeschool students may participate in extracurricular activities at public schools, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students. However, they cannot participate in sports governed by the Montana High School Association (MHSA).

    For more detailed information or assistance, consider reaching out to the Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MTCHE) or the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Both organizations offer resources and support for homeschooling families in Montana.

    Montana K-12 School Choice

    HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL 3A
    🏡 Homeschooling & Hybrid Learning

    • Homeschool: Parents must notify the district, maintain attendance/immunization records, teach core subjects, and meet instructional-hour requirements

    • Hybrid models: Homeschoolers (and private school students) may attend part-time in public school classes or online offerings (e.g., Montana Digital Academy) and take extracurriculars

    📌 In summary, Montana’s school-choice landscape now provides families with:

    • Full open enrollment statewide

    • Emerging charter school options (waiting on court approval)

    • Targeted financial support for private school & special education

    • Flexible homeschool, microschool, and online-learning arrangements

    Montana’s School Choice

    Montana offers a variety of school choice options—public, charter-style, private, and homeschooling—giving families flexibility beyond traditional district schools. Here’s a breakdown:

    Traditional Public & Public School Choice

    • Open Enrollment: As of the 2024–25 school year, families can enroll in public schools anywhere in the state at no cost—districts must approve unless there’s a valid reason (e.g., full capacity). Districts cover the fees

    • Magnet and District Charter Schools: Public schools with specialized curricula (e.g., arts, STEM), open to cross-district enrollment as part of open enrollment policies .

    🏫 Community Choice Schools (Charter-Style Public Schools)

    • Established under HB 562 (Community Choice Schools Act, 2023) and HB 549:

      • These are tuition-free public schools with independent governing boards, autonomy over curriculum, finance, staffing, and schedule

      • Open to all Montana students, using lotteries if oversubscribed

      • Currently implemented leading to pilot schools (e.g., Great Adventure Academy, Bridger, Bozeman), though a legal challenge has temporarily paused authorizations

    đź’° Private School Scholarships & Tax Credits

    • Tax–credit scholarship program:

      • Inspired by Espinoza v. Montana (2020): allows donations to scholarship organizations (including for religious schools) and gives dollar-for-dollar tax credits

      • Originally launched in 2015, saw Supreme Court validation, cap expansion to ~$5M, and controversial legislative renewals (e.g., HB 320/MAPPS) that failed in 2025

    • Special Needs ESA (Education Savings Account):

      • Available for students with an IEP.

      • Parents receive a portion of per-pupil funding (~$6–8K/year) to use on approved private educational services

    đź“š Private Schools

    • Around 8,600 students attend private schools statewide (e.g., Mount Ellis Academy, Montessori, religious schools).

    • No accreditation required; teachers do not need state certification. Tuition ranges widely — typically $3K–$18K/year

    • Private students can participate in public school extracurriculars under SB 157.

    Homeschool Resources for Montana

    Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.

    In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.

    Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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    Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney.  Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.