How to Start Homeschooling in Montana: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Ready to start homeschooling in Montana? This comprehensive guide walks you through every step—from understanding the law to setting up your first day of school. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you need to do.

Key Takeaways

• Montana’s requirements are minimal: Annual notice, required subjects, minimum hours, attendance records
• No testing, approval, or credentials required
• Timeline: 2-4 weeks of planning before your start date
• Action steps: Withdraw from public school, choose curriculum, file notice, begin
• First-year setup: Budget $300-1,500 depending on curriculum choices

Phase 1: Understand Montana’s Legal Requirements (1 Week)

Before doing anything else, know what you’re legally required to do.

Required Subjects (MCA 20-7-111)

You must teach these seven subjects in an “organized course of study”:

1. Reading and English Language Arts
2. Mathematics
3. Science
4. Social Studies, Civics, and History
5. Health
6. Arts (visual, music, or performing)
7. Career Education

You’re not required to teach them separately. You can integrate them into themes, projects, or literature-based learning. The point is that all seven subjects are covered over the school year.

Minimum Annual Hours

Grade	Annual Hours	Approx. Per Day
Half-day K	360	~2
Full-day K & Grades 1-3	720	~4
Grades 4-12	1,080	~6

These spread across ~180 school days. You can work more days with fewer hours, or fewer days with more hours. You’re not required to follow the traditional calendar.

Required Notification

Annual notice letter to your county superintendent:

• When: Before first week of your school term
• What: Simple letter stating you’ll provide homeschool instruction in required subjects
• To: County superintendent’s office
• Cost: Free

No approval needed. Just notification.

Attendance Records (Keep at Home)

Document that instruction is occurring:
– Calendar showing school days
– Log of subjects taught
– Student work samples
– Attendance notes

Records stay with you. You only produce them if the county questions your program.

What You DON’T Need

• Standardized testing
• Teaching credentials
• Curriculum approval
• Parent education requirements
• Building inspections
• Immunization records (eliminated by HB 778)

for detailed legal breakdown.

Phase 2: Make Practical Decisions (1-2 Weeks)

Decision 1: School Calendar/Schedule

Options:

• Traditional calendar: August-May, following public school schedule (most common)
• Year-round: Distribute instruction across 12 months
• Compressed: Intensive 6-month school year
• 4-day week: School Mon-Thu, Friday flexible or off
• Custom: Whatever works for your family

Recommendation for beginners: Follow traditional calendar (Aug-May). Familiar rhythm, easier to manage initially.

Your choice affects: When you file notice, when you start instruction, when you track hours.

Decision 2: Homeschool Location/Structure

Fully at-home: Everything happens in your house/property.

Co-op hybrid: Attend co-op classes 1-2 days/week for certain subjects; homeschool the rest. Homeschool co ops in montana

Part-time public school: Enroll in public school for certain classes while homeschooling others (HB 396).

Online academy: Use online school program for structured curriculum and instruction (counts as homeschool if you’re the director).

Recommendation for beginners: Fully at-home or co-op hybrid. Simpler to manage, fewer coordination issues.

Decision 3: One Parent Teaching vs. Both

Single primary teacher: One parent directs instruction; other parent supports.

Co-teaching: Both parents actively teach different subjects.

Shared subjects: Each parent teaches their strength area.

Recommendation: One parent primary (simpler to manage), other parent secondary support. You can adjust as you go.

Decision 4: Individual vs. Multi-Child Approach

Separate curricula: Each child on their own pace and curriculum.

Combined approach: Teach shared subjects together (history, science, read-alouds), separate math/ELA by level.

Recommendation for beginners: Combined where possible (math/ELA separate by level, other subjects together). Reduces prep work.

Phase 3: Practical Setup (1-2 Weeks)

Step 1: Withdraw from Public School (If Applicable)

If your child currently attends public school:

Send withdrawal letter to school principal 1-2 weeks before intended start date.

Include:
– Child’s name
– Current grade
– Withdrawal date
– Statement that you’re providing homeschool instruction

Delivery: Email preferred; certified mail or hand delivery also acceptable.

Request: Final grades/records, special education documentation (if applicable)

for template and detailed instructions.

Step 2: Gather Identifying Information

For your annual notice letter, you’ll need:

• Child’s full legal name
• Date of birth
• Current/upcoming grade level
• Your name (or both parents’ names if both teaching)
• Your address and phone number
• Your email address

Step 3: Contact Your County Superintendent

Find your county superintendent’s office:

• Search: “[Your County] Montana school district superintendent”
• Website: County government website
• Phone: County clerk’s office can direct you

Ask/confirm:
– Email address for filing notice
– Any preferences on notice format
– When to file (usually late July for Aug start)
– Preferred contact method if they have questions

Most counties prefer email. File 1-2 weeks before your planned school start date.

Step 4: Identify Resources in Your Area

Homeschool co-ops and groups:
– MCHE (Montana Coalition of Home Educators) – Find local chapters at mche.org
– MHEA (Montana Homeschool Education Association)
– Montana Homeschooling – Facebook groups and local networks

Museums and educational venues:
– Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman) – Free homeschool Mondays
– Local libraries – Programs, resources, card (free)
– Parks and nature centers
– Science centers, art museums

Sports/activities:
– MHSA (Montana High School Association) – Sports for homeschoolers since 2021
– Local music lessons, dance, martial arts

Tutoring/specialist help (if needed):
– Private tutors for weak subjects
– Special education specialists (if applicable)

Homeschool special needs montana for special needs resources.

Phase 4: Choose Your Curriculum (1-2 Weeks)

This is the most time-consuming decision but also the most flexible.

Curriculum Approaches

1. Traditional/School-at-Home
– Curriculum mimics public school structure
– Textbooks, workbooks, teacher guides
– Examples: Saxon Math, Abeka, Horizons
– Best for: Parents wanting structured, proven programs

2. Classical Education
– Three-stage learning model (grammar, logic, rhetoric)
– Classical texts, literature-based
– Examples: Classical Conversations, Well-Trained Mind
– Best for: Parents liking classical approach, literature focus

3. Charlotte Mason Method
– Living books, nature study, classical literature
– Narration and discussion-based
– Examples: Veritas Press, Beautiful Feet Books
– Best for: Literature-loving families, less textbook-heavy

4. Unschooling/Child-Led
– Interest-driven, experiential learning
– Minimal curriculum, maximum flexibility
– Resources: Life Learning Magazine, local co-ops
– Best for: Flexible parents, kids with strong interests

5. Eclectic/Mix
– Combine approaches (Saxon Math + literature + unschool electives)
– Most common approach
– Best for: Customizing to your child’s needs

How to Choose

1. Assess your teaching style – Do you prefer structure or flexibility?
2. Consider your child – How do they learn best?
3. Sample free resources – Preview curricula online or through libraries
4. Check co-op options – What’s available locally? (Influences your choice)
5. Budget – How much can you spend? ($300-1,500 first year typical)
6. Trial and adjust – You can switch mid-year if something isn’t working

Budget Planning

Minimal budget: $300-500
– Used curriculum from Facebook groups
– Library books
– Free online resources (Khan Academy, Outschool free trials)
– Co-op for specialized subjects

Mid-range budget: $800-1,200
– New, structured curriculum for core subjects
– Co-op classes
– Field trips and activities
– Some supplemental materials

Full-service budget: $1,500+
– Comprehensive curricula for all subjects
– Online classes
– Tutoring for weak areas
– Field trips, co-ops, enrichment

Recommendation for beginners: Mid-range. Invest in good curriculum for primary subjects; use free/library resources for enrichment.

for detailed supplies and budget breakdown.

Phase 5: Setup and First Day (1 Week Before Start)

Setup Tasks

1. Create school space
– Doesn’t need to be fancy (kitchen table works)
– Needs: Minimal desk space, books, supplies
– Optional: Dedicated room, bulletin boards, shelving

2. Organize materials
– Gather curriculum books and workbooks
– Print needed worksheets or guides
– Organize by subject/child in folders or shelves
– Create a simple filing system for records

3. Set up attendance/record system
– Print blank calendar for school year
– Create attendance log or spreadsheet
– Designate folder for work samples
– Plan how you’ll track hours (if desired)

4. Plan your schedule
– Decide daily start/end times
– Plan which subjects on which days
– Build in breaks, lunch, recess
– Create a simple daily rhythm (example below)

Sample Schedule (Grades 4-6):

8:30-9:15 — Math (core lesson + practice)
9:15-10:00 — Reading/Language Arts (reading + writing)
10:00-10:15 — Break
10:15-11:00 — Science (lessons, labs, experiments)
11:00-11:30 — Social Studies (history, civics, geography)
11:30-12:30 — Lunch + recess
12:30-1:00 — Arts (music, art, visual)
1:00-1:30 — Physical education
1:30-2:00 — Read-aloud (literature, history)
2:00-2:30 — Other/enrichment (career education, projects, field trips)

Adjust to your needs and family rhythm.

5. File Your Notice of Intent

2 weeks before start date:

Send simple letter to county superintendent:

[Date]

[County Superintendent]
[County School District]
[County], Montana

Dear [Name],

I am writing to notify you of my intent to provide homeschool
instruction to [Child Name], DOB [Date], age [Age], for the
[Year-Year] school year, beginning [Date].

I will provide organized instruction in the required subjects:
reading and English language arts, mathematics, science, social
studies/civics/history, health, arts, and career education.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]
[Address, Phone, Email]

Keep: Copy for your records and copy of sent/received confirmation.

for full instructions and template.

6. Communicate with Your Family

• Explain the new schedule to your child
• Discuss expectations and routines
• Address any concerns or questions
• Create excitement for the new adventure

Phase 6: First Year Running (August-June)

Week 1: Establish Routines

• Meet at school start time daily
• Practice your planned schedule
• Adjust as needed (most changes happen first 2 weeks)
• Begin attendance tracking

Monthly Ongoing

• Check progress in each subject
• Adjust pace if something isn’t working
• Maintain attendance records
• Take work samples for portfolio

End of Year (June)

• Calculate total instructional hours
• Gather portfolio of student work
• Document any noteworthy achievements
• Plan adjustments for year 2

Before July 1

• File new annual notice for next fiscal year
• Plan year 2 curriculum
• Take summer break or year-round light school (your choice)

Red Flags and Adjustments

If curriculum isn’t working:
– You can switch mid-year (no penalty)
– Try for 4-6 weeks before deciding
– Get feedback from your child
– Consider a different approach

If schedule doesn’t work:
– Adjust start time, break length, subject order
– Try seasonal scheduling (different rhythm each term)
– Simplify if you’re overwhelmed

If you’re struggling:
– Join a co-op for support and help
– Hire a tutor for weak subjects
– Connect with local homeschool group
– Reach out to MCHE for resources

Montana homeschooling is flexible. If something isn’t working, change it.

Year 1 Checklist

• ✓ Understand legal requirements
• ✓ Withdraw from public school (if applicable)
• ✓ Choose curriculum
• ✓ Set up school space
• ✓ Create attendance system
• ✓ File annual notice with county
• ✓ Begin instruction by stated start date
• ✓ Maintain attendance records
• ✓ Complete minimum annual hours
• ✓ Keep work samples
• ✓ Connect with local homeschool community

FAQ: Getting Started

Q: How much does it cost to start homeschooling?
A: $300-1,500 first year depending on curriculum choices. Library books and used materials minimize cost.

Q: Can I start mid-year?
A: Yes. File notice before your actual start date. You can start January if you want.

Q: What if I change my mind after starting?
A: You can re-enroll in public school anytime. No penalty or special process.

Q: How do I know if I’m doing it right?
A: You’re meeting requirements if you have: notice filed, attendance records, instruction in all seven subjects, minimum hours achieved.

Q: When do I know my approach is working?
A: Your child is learning the material, progressing through curriculum, completing work, and engaged in school.

---

Bottom line: Starting homeschool in Montana is straightforward. Understand the requirements, choose your curriculum, set up simple systems, file your notice, and begin. The first year is about finding your rhythm and seeing what works for your family. You’ll adjust year 2 based on what you learned.

Most families report that year 1 is about confidence-building and establishing routines. Years 2-3 become smoother as you find your stride.

You’ve got this.

For specific guidance on structuring your year, see Homeschool planning montana. For addressing work/school balance, see Homeschool working parents montana.

More homeschooling resources: Homeschooling by State (All 50 States) | Complete Montana Homeschooling Guide