Homeschooling in Montana

Who Must Comply

Under Montana Code Annotated (MCA) §20-5-102, children between the ages of 7 and 16 must attend school or an approved alternative, including a home school. Montana has one of the narrowest compulsory attendance windows in the country, so if your child is younger than 7 or older than 16, you are not legally required to provide formal instruction — though most families choose to educate through high school.

Notification Requirements

Montana law (MCA §20-5-109) requires you to file an annual notification with your County Superintendent of Schools before the start of each school year. This is a simple notice of intent — you do not need to submit your curriculum, lesson plans, or any other educational materials. County or education officials should not request access to your curriculum.

If you are withdrawing your child from public school to begin homeschooling, notify the school in writing and then file your notice of intent with the County Superintendent.

Required Subjects

Your homeschool program must provide instruction in the subjects required of Montana public schools, as defined in MCA §20-7-111. These include:

• English language arts (reading, writing, spelling)
• Mathematics
• Social studies (history, geography, civics)
• Science (physical and life sciences)
• Health enhancement

You have full freedom to choose how you teach these subjects — any curriculum, textbooks, or approach you prefer. Montana does not prescribe specific materials or methods.

Instructional Hours

Montana requires a minimum number of instructional hours per school year:

• Grades 1–3: 720 hours per year
• Grades 4–12: 1,080 hours per year

These hours include direct instruction, independent study, field trips, and other educational activities. You have flexibility in how you schedule your days and weeks.

Teacher Qualifications

Montana does not require homeschool parents to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific educational credential. Any parent or guardian may teach their children at home.

Recordkeeping

While Montana law does not explicitly mandate detailed recordkeeping, maintaining organized records is strongly recommended. Keep attendance logs, samples of student work, and records of curriculum used. These records can protect you if questions ever arise about your compliance.

Recent Changes: HB 778 (2025)

Governor Gianforte signed HB 778 in May 2025, which eliminated the requirement for home educators to provide immunization records to the County Superintendent. This means Montana homeschool families now have just four core obligations: notify the county, teach required subjects, meet instructional hour requirements, and maintain basic records.

Montana Special Needs ESA

Montana offers a Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account (ESA) for eligible students. If your child is ages 5–19 and has an IEP under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), you may qualify for approximately $5,500 to $8,000 per year, depending on grade level and home district. This is a reimbursement-based program — you pay for approved educational expenses up front, then submit receipts to the Office of Public Instruction. Eligible expenses include:

• Tutoring and educational therapy
• Online curriculum and software
• Standardized testing fees
• Special education services

There is no income limit to apply. Contact the Montana Office of Public Instruction for the current application.

Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Montana participates in a tax-credit scholarship program through approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). Donors receive a state tax credit for contributions to SGOs, and families can apply for scholarships to offset educational expenses. Check with Montana SGOs for current availability and eligibility.

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship (Starting 2027)

Beginning January 1, 2027, Montana has opted into a federal tax credit scholarship program that allows taxpayers to claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to approved SGOs that fund K-12 scholarships. While this benefits donors rather than families directly, it will increase the pool of scholarship dollars available to Montana homeschool families.

Federal Options

All Montana homeschool families can take advantage of Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which allow you to save up to $2,000 per child per year with tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified educational expenses including curriculum, supplies, and tutoring.