Montana requires a simple annual notification to your county superintendent — no specific form is mandated, a plain letter works fine.
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Montana requires annual notification to your county superintendent of schools (not your local district), submitted within the first week of the school term. There's no mandated form — a clear letter is sufficient.
Montana Homeschool Requirements (2026)
📋 What Montana Does NOT Require
No specific mandated form — a plain letter satisfies the notification requirement
No standardized testing
No curriculum approval
No teacher certification required for parents
📚 What Montana DOES Require
Notify your county superintendent of schools annually, in writing, within the first week of the school term (or upon establishing residence in the county)
Include your name, address, and the names and ages of children being homeschooled in the notification
Keep pupil attendance records, available to the county superintendent on request, and provide the minimum hours of instruction (HSLDA reports 720 hours for grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4-12)
Submit this notification during each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) you homeschool
Send notification to the county superintendent — not your local school district office
📚 Required Subjects in Montana
Montana law (MCA 20-5-109) requires an organized course of study that includes the basic instructional program subjects required of public schools
HSLDA lists these as English language arts, math, social studies, science, health, the arts and career education
Within that organized course of study you choose the curriculum, giving families broad flexibility. The state does not approve it.
📁 Record-Keeping in Montana
Keep a copy of your annual written notification to the county superintendent as proof of timely filing
Re-file this notification every school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) — it does not carry over automatically
If you move to a new county mid-year, notify that county's superintendent within the first week of establishing residence
You do not submit test scores or portfolios, but keep your attendance records and be able to show your hours
⚠️ Always verify current requirements with your state department of education or the Home School Legal Defense Association (hslda.org). Laws can change and this page is for general reference only.
Getting Started / Withdrawing from Public School in Montana
Notify the superintendent of schools for your county (not your local school district) in writing, within the first week of the school term or upon establishing residence — Montana doesn't require a specific form, so a clear letter with your name, address, and your children's names and ages is sufficient. This notification must be resubmitted every school fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) that you homeschool, since it doesn't automatically carry forward from year to year.
How Lumi Helps Montana Homeschool Families
Lumi handles curriculum planning, grading, and progress tracking automatically, so Montana families can focus on their kids instead of paperwork — while staying comfortably aligned with state requirements.
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Covers Required Subjects
Lumi covers the core subjects Montana expects, plus additional subjects including Coding, Art, Music, and more — all in one flat-price app.
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Attendance Tracker
Built-in attendance logging helps you document instructional time and subject coverage automatically, useful for meeting record-keeping expectations.
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Printable Report Cards
Generate formal report cards automatically — useful for evaluations, re-enrollment in public school, or any situation requiring proof of academic progress.
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Printable Workbooks
Six printable workbooks covering every grade level — great for portfolio documentation and supplemental practice.
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Flat Family Price
$9.99/month covers up to 8 kids — no per-child fees as your family grows.
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Narrated Lessons
Every lesson is narrated aloud by Lumi, so kids can work independently while parents focus on the bigger picture.
Montana Homeschool Resources
Homeschool Montana — homeschoolmt.com/mt-homeschool-laws — Statewide advocacy organization with a plain-language breakdown of Montana law.
Montana Coalition of Home Educators (MTCHE) — mtche.org/faq — Community organization with practical getting-started FAQ.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — hslda.org — National legal advocacy with Montana-specific compliance guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in Montana
Who do I notify to homeschool in Montana?
Your county superintendent of schools — not your local school district office. This distinction matters, since the two are different offices in Montana.
Is there a required form for Montana's notification?
No — Montana doesn't mandate a specific form, though the superintendent's office can provide one to assist. A clear letter with the required information works just as well.
When do I need to file Montana's annual notification?
Within the first week of the school term in your district, or within the first week of establishing residence there, for each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) you homeschool.
Does Montana require standardized testing?
No — Montana does not require standardized testing, curriculum approval, or teacher certification for homeschool families.
What is the best homeschool curriculum app for Montana families?
Lumi Academy provides a complete Pre-K through 8th grade curriculum families can reference when filing their annual notification, with no state approval process to navigate given Montana's flexible approach.
Because Montana explicitly allows notification by phone call, letter, visit, or form, families genuinely have flexibility in how they satisfy this requirement — there's no single 'correct' method as long as the required information reaches the right office on time.
Start Your Montana Homeschool Journey
Free 48-hour trial access. Full K–8 curriculum from day one.