Montana Notice of Intent to Homeschool: Template & Filing Guide

Your annual notification to Montana’s county superintendent is genuinely simple—a brief letter stating your intent to homeschool. This guide provides a template, filing instructions, and answers to common questions about Montana’s notification requirement.

Key Takeaways

• Simple letter required—no complex forms
• File once per fiscal year (July 1-June 30)
• Before first week of your school term
• To: Your county superintendent
• Includes: Child’s name/DOB, instructor names, required subjects statement

Why Montana Requires This Notice

The notice serves as your annual registration with your county. It:

• Confirms you’re homeschooling (not truant from public school)
• Lists the child and instructors
• Verifies you’ll teach required subjects
• Keeps the superintendent informed without detailed curriculum requirements

That’s it. No approval needed, no review process, no curriculum submission.

Montana Homeschool Notice of Intent Letter Template

Here’s a ready-to-use template you can customize:

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[DATE]

[COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT NAME]
[COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OFFICE]
[COUNTY NAME] County School District
[COUNTY NAME], Montana [ZIP CODE]

Dear [Superintendent Name/Title]:

I am writing to notify you of my intent to provide homeschool instruction to my child(ren) for the [SCHOOL YEAR, e.g., 2026-2027] school year, effective [DATE SCHOOL BEGINS, e.g., August 1, 2026].

Student Information:
– Name: [Student’s Full Name]
– Date of Birth: [DOB]
– Age: [Age]
– Grade Level: [Grade, e.g., 5th Grade]

Instructor(s):
– [Parent/Instructor Name 1]
– [Parent/Instructor Name 2, if applicable]

I will provide organized instruction in the seven required subjects as outlined in Montana Code Annotated 20-7-111: reading and English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies/civics/history, health, arts, and career education.

Instruction will meet or exceed Montana’s minimum annual hours for [his/her/their] grade level ([360/720/1,080 hours].

Please contact me if you need any additional information.

Respectfully,

[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State ZIP]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]

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Multiple Children

If notifying about multiple children, you can include them all in one letter:

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Student Information:

• Name: [Student 1 Full Name], DOB: [DOB], Age: [Age], Grade: [Grade]
• Name: [Student 2 Full Name], DOB: [DOB], Age: [Age], Grade: [Grade]

Instructor(s): [Parents/Instructors for all students]

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Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Identify Your County Superintendent

Find your county superintendent’s office:

• Search: “[Your County] Montana School District Superintendent”
• Check: Your county government website (county.mt.gov style)
• Call: Your county clerk’s office for school district contact info
• Address locations: Usually at the county school district central office

Key counties and approximate office locations:
– Flathead County – Kalispell
– Missoula County – Missoula
– Yellowstone County – Billings
– Cascade County – Great Falls
– Gallatin County – Bozeman

Step 2: Customize the Template

• Fill in the date you’re writing
• Insert superintendent’s name and office address
• List your child’s full name, DOB, age, and grade level
• List parent/instructor names
• Note your school start date and minimum hours for your child’s grade

Step 3: Choose Delivery Method

Email (preferred by most counties):
– Send to the superintendent’s email address
– Include letter in email body or as PDF attachment
– Request confirmation receipt
– Keep copy in your records

Certified Mail:
– Print letter and mail via USPS certified mail with return receipt
– Provides documented proof of delivery
– More formal but unnecessary for simple notification
– Cost: ~$10

Hand Delivery:
– Print and deliver to district office in person
– Ask for a dated receipt
– Quickest, but not always practical

Phone + Mail:
– Call superintendent’s office to confirm your approach
– Many offices prefer email
– Some may have a specific process or form

Step 4: Timing

File before the first week of your school term, typically:

• Late July if starting August 1
• Early August if starting September 1
• Late August if starting September 15

The fiscal year runs July 1-June 30, but you only need one notice per fiscal year. If you start in August, file by August 8. If you start in September, file before September 7.

Step 5: Keep Documentation

• Save your draft with completion date
• Save confirmation receipt (email receipt or certified mail receipt)
• Keep in your homeschool files for reference

You don’t need the document for daily schooling, but having it proves compliance if ever questioned.

County Superintendent Contact Information

Here’s how to find your superintendent:

1. Go to your county’s website (e.g., gallatin.mt.gov)
2. Look for “Schools” or “School District” section
3. Find superintendent contact information
4. Call the main office if website doesn’t list email

Montana has 56 counties. All have superintendent offices; many now prefer email notification.

What Happens After You File?

Generally, nothing. The superintendent receives your notification and files it. You continue homeschooling.

In rare cases, the superintendent may:
– Acknowledge receipt via email
– Call to ask clarifying questions
– Request documentation if they have concerns about compliance

If contacted, be prepared to discuss:
– Your planned subjects and curriculum
– How you’ll meet minimum hours
– Your attendance tracking method
– Your organized course of study

Having attendance records and a simple curriculum outline ready is smart.

Changing Your Notification

If you change schools mid-year:
– No mid-year notification needed
– File a new notice for the following fiscal year if continuing homeschool

If you return to public school:
– Submit a withdrawal letter
– No need to formally “cancel” homeschool notification
– Public school enrollment cancels your homeschool status

If you move counties during school year:
– Notify your new county superintendent
– Include your new address
– Keep homeschooling; just update the notification

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I email my notice instead of mailing it?
A: Yes. Email is preferred by most Montana counties for convenience.

Q: Do I need to use an official form?
A: No. A simple letter is sufficient. Montana doesn’t provide a required form.

Q: What if I can’t find the superintendent’s email?
A: Call the school district’s main office and ask for superintendent contact information or the homeschool coordinator.

Q: Can my spouse file, or must it be me?
A: Either parent/instructor can file. Include both names if both are teaching.

Q: What if I file late?
A: File as soon as possible. Most counties are cooperative about late filing if you’re within a reasonable timeframe. Contact the office if delayed.

Q: Do I attach curriculum details?
A: No. Your curriculum plan is for your files only. Just state that you’ll provide instruction in required subjects.

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That’s truly all that’s required. Your annual notice is a simple, straightforward filing. Most families spend 10 minutes preparing and sending it. This single step keeps your homeschool fully compliant with Montana law.

For the full legal requirements beyond notification, see . For next steps after filing, see .

Related: Homeschool by State Guide | Complete Guide to Homeschooling in Montana