Montana Homeschool Laws
Montana has a dedicated homeschool law, and it is the state’s one option. Families run a home school under the state education code. School is required from age 7 until the later of the 16th birthday or finishing 8th-grade work. First, notify the county superintendent of schools each school fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Then, keep attendance records and make them available if the superintendent asks.
Day to day, give enough hours of instruction. Grades 1 to 3 need at least 720 hours each school fiscal year. Grades 4 to 12 need at least 1,080 hours. Teach an organized course that covers English language arts, math, social studies, science, health, arts, and career education. There is no state testing, and parents need no teaching credentials. Also, as of July 1, 2024, you may enroll your child part-time in the resident public school. Homeschoolers may join extracurricular activities there under the same standards as full-time students. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
If a child is 7 or older before the first day of public school, the child must attend until the later of (a) the 16th birthday or (b) completing 8th-grade schoolwork (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Montana).
Montana has one homeschool option, a home school that meets the requirements of MCA 20-5-109 (HSLDA: Montana Homeschool Laws).
An organized course of study in the basic subjects taught in Montana public schools: English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, arts, and career education (HSLDA: How to Comply with Montana’s Homeschool Law).
Hours: at least 720 hours of instruction per school fiscal year in grades 1–3, and at least 1,080 hours in grades 4–12 (HSLDA).
During every school fiscal year (July 1–June 30), notify the county superintendent of schools where the home school is located that the child is being homeschooled (HSLDA; MCA 20-5-109).
Yes. Keep a record of the child’s attendance and make it available to the county superintendent on request (HSLDA).
None (HSLDA).
Yes. Nonpublic and home school students may participate in extracurricular activities at a public school in the resident district under the same participation standards as full-time students. The school principal verifies academic eligibility for a home school student from the educator’s written attestation and may not include student assessment (MCA 20-5-112; HSLDA: Public School Access in Montana).
Part-time enrollment: As of July 1, 2024, trustees must admit a home school child who meets the statutory requirements as a part-time enrollee at the parent’s request (MCA 20-5-101; HSLDA).
None for homeschoolers, according to HSLDA (HSLDA).
HSLDA recommends continuing to file notice and keep records until graduation in case they are requested later (HSLDA).
- HSLDA: Montana Homeschool Laws, How to Comply with Montana’s Homeschool Law, Compulsory School Age in Montana, and Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Montana
- Montana Code Annotated 20-5-109 (home school requirements), 20-5-112 (extracurricular activities), and 20-5-101 (part-time enrollment)
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.