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Montana Homeschool Laws & Requirements

Montana Homeschool Laws & Requirements
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Montana is considered by many to be a homeschool-friendly state. Parents are not required to have any specific qualifications in order to teach their children, nor do students have to take part in yearly standardized testing. Montana homeschool laws only have a handful of requirements that families must comply with, and this page will help you become familiar with them.

Read on to learn more about Montana’s homeschool laws and regulations.

This information should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Montana Homeschool Requirements

Montana homeschool laws require parents to do the following:

  • Notify the county superintendent your going to homeschool your child.
  • Maintain attendance and immunization records.
  • Homeschool in a location that complies with local health and safety regulations.
  • Provide an organized course of study that includes the required subjects.
  • Teach the required hours of instruction each year.

If your child is currently enrolled in private or public school, it is advisable to first formally withdraw your him or her in order to avoid any issues.

In addition to teaching for 720 hours per school fiscal year for grades 1-3; and 1,080 hours for grades 4,-12, families must also teach the same subjects as public schools for their student’s grade. This typically includes:

  • Engligh language arts
  • Math
  • Social studies
  • Science
  • Health
  • Arts
  • Career education

Parents are free to choose any curriculum and/or materials to meet these requirements.

More information relating to home education rules for Montana can be found at A2ZHomeschooling.com.

Full Details of Montana’s Homeschool Laws

Homeschool Recordkeeping in Montana

Montana homeschool laws only require parents to keep attendance and immunization records in case the superintendent requests them. However, many families like to keep track of their child’s progress and work completed by keeping homeschool portfolios. These can include things like grades, writing assignments, worksheets, art work or any other important documents and information.

If you have a high school student who plans on attending college, a high school transcript can be useful, and sometimes even necessary. To get specific information, be sure to inquire with individual  colleges and universities for their entrance requirements.

Homeschool Graduation Requirements in Montana

Although families homeschooling in Montana are required to teach the same subjects that public schools teach, homeschooled students in the state do not receive the same high school diploma like their peers in public school.

Homeschoolers can earn a Montana High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the HiSET exam. If your child plans on receiving a post-secondary education, they may have to take the PSAT and SAT, so be sure to find out what each specific college or university requires.

Enrolling in Public School after Homeschooling

Each school district in Montana has its own requirements and policies for students who are enrolling in public school after homeschooling. It’s important to check with your local school board to determine what steps must be taken in order to enroll your child.

Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Montana

Do you have other questions about homeschooling in Montana? You may find the following pages helpful.

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