Montana Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject

by | May 10, 2026 | Curriculum & Methods

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Montana Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject

Montana law requires homeschoolers to cover seven subject areas in an “organized course of study.” There’s no state curriculum approval, no specific curriculum mandate, and no testing requirement. But you do need to teach the required subjects and document that you have a plan.

Here’s what Montana requires—and how to meet those requirements practically.

Key Takeaways

  • Montana requires seven subjects: ELA, math, science, social studies, health, arts, and career education
  • No specific curriculum, textbook, or teaching method required; complete freedom in how you deliver instruction
  • “Organized course of study” means you have a deliberate plan covering all subjects, documented (portfolio, planner, curriculum log)
  • Required hours vary by grade: K (half-day) = 360 hrs, K (full-day) / 1–3 = 720 hrs, 4–12 = 1,080 hrs annually
  • Montana offers no mandatory testing; assessment is entirely parent-driven

The Seven Required Subjects

1. Reading and Language Arts (ELA)

Focus areas: phonics and decoding (elementary); reading comprehension, literature analysis, and writing (secondary).

  • Elementary (K-3): Emphasis on phonics, beginning reading skills, and early writing
  • Middle School (4-6): Literature, comprehension, vocabulary, writing across genres
  • High School (7-12): Literature analysis, essay writing, research, speaking/listening, potentially AP English

Curriculum options: Saxon Phonics, Explode the Code, Singapore Math (English component), Memoria Press, IEW, classical literature programs, online platforms like Time4Learning.

No testing required. You decide what “proficiency” looks like and how your child demonstrates it.

2. Mathematics

Focus areas: number sense, operations, fractions, decimals, algebra, geometry, data analysis (progression by grade).

  • Elementary (K-3): Number recognition, basic operations, place value, measurement
  • Middle School (4-6): Multi-digit operations, fractions, decimals, early algebra
  • High School (7-12): Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, Calculus (optional but college-prep standard)

Curriculum options: Saxon, Math-U-See, Beast Academy, Singapore Math, Glencoe, Khan Academy (free), EdReady Montana (free, adaptive).

College prep note: High school students should complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II at minimum. AP Calculus, Statistics, or Precalculus strengthen applications.

3. Science

Focus areas: physical science, earth science, life science, scientific method, hands-on exploration (grade-level progression).

  • Elementary (K-3): Observation, basic concepts (animals, plants, weather, simple machines)
  • Middle School (4-6): Earth science, life science, human body, ecosystems
  • High School (7-12): Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science (progression varies)

Curriculum options: Glencoe, Pearson, Apologia (evangelical, faith-integrated), Explore Learning (virtual labs), Khan Academy (free), hands-on projects.

Montana advantage: Incorporate local science—Museum of the Rockies (paleontology, geology), Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (wildlife biology), parks and natural areas (ecology, earth science).

4. Social Studies / Civics / History

Focus areas: history, geography, civics, cultural awareness, critical thinking about society.

  • Elementary (K-3): Community, basic geography, beginning history
  • Middle School (4-6): World history, US history, civics, map skills
  • High School (7-12): World history, US history (depth), Government/Civics, Economics (often required for graduation)

Curriculum options: Memoria Press (classical history), Story of the World, Saxon History, textbook series (Pearson, McGraw-Hill), primary documents, local resources.

Montana integration: Lewis & Clark expedition, Native American history, Montana territorial history, mining heritage, homesteading culture, modern ranching/agriculture.

5. Health and Safety

Focus areas: personal health, nutrition, disease prevention, mental health, safety, CPR/first aid (secondary).

  • Elementary: Basic health concepts, nutrition, hygiene, safety
  • Secondary: Personal health, disease prevention, mental health, relationships, first aid/CPR

Curriculum options: Glencoe Health (textbook), online modules, Red Cross First Aid/CPR (for high school), health-focused YouTube channels, community health departments (often provide free resources).

No formal testing required, but many high schools want documentation (course completion, CPR certification for HS students).

6. Arts (Visual Arts, Music, or Performing Arts)

Focus areas: creative expression, exposure to different art forms, skill development.

  • Elementary: Art and music exposure, basic creative projects
  • Secondary: Choice of visual art, music, drama, film, etc.

Curriculum options: YouTube art tutorials, local art/music classes, community theater, co-op art programs, online courses (Outschool), museum visits.

Montana co-ops often pool resources for group art classes, music lessons, and performances—much cheaper than private lessons.

7. Career Education / Career Guidance

Focus areas: exploring careers, workforce readiness, skills assessment, work experience awareness.

  • Elementary: Career awareness, community helpers, interest exploration
  • Middle School: Career exploration, skills assessment, job shadowing interest
  • High School: Career planning, resume building, apprenticeships, work experience, trade/college pathway clarity

Curriculum options: iCivics (career modules), Naviance (free in many areas), Career Cruising, job shadowing with local professionals, apprenticeships, trade skill courses, Gap Year programs.

Montana strength: Agricultural and trades exposure through ranching/farming connections, apprenticeships (electrician, plumbing, mechanics), outdoor industry careers.

Documentation: What “Organized Course of Study” Means

Montana doesn’t require submission of curriculum to any authority. But you should document your plan:

Simple approach: Keep a curriculum planner or syllabus for each subject listing:
– Subject/course name
– Grade level
– Materials/curriculum used
– Duration (weeks or months)
– General learning objectives

Example (elementary):
– Math: Singapore Math, Grade 2 (12 weeks), covers place value, addition, subtraction
– ELA: Explode the Code + Read-Aloud library books, Grade 2, phonics and comprehension
– Science: Nature journaling + Museum of the Rockies visits, Grade 2, life science and earth science
– Social Studies: Montana history unit + local community exploration, Grade 2, history and civics
– Health: Food pyramid + safety discussions, Grade 2, health literacy
– Arts: Weekly art projects, Grade 2, creative expression
– Career: Community helper interviews, Grade 2, career awareness

This simple documentation protects you and clarifies your approach.

High School: Additional Considerations

For college-bound students, transcript requirements matter:

Standard transcript subjects:
– English I–IV (4 years)
– Math: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II minimum (3 years); Precalculus/Calculus preferred
– Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics (at least 3 years)
– Social Studies: US History, World History, Government/Civics (3 years)
– Foreign Language: 2–3 years (preferred by competitive colleges)
– Electives: Arts, career/technical, advanced academics

Montana does not require testing, but colleges may ask for SAT/ACT scores, portfolios, or course descriptions to verify rigor.

Flexibility Within Requirements

Montana’s requirement for seven subjects is genuinely flexible:

  • You choose curriculum (traditional, classical, online, unschooling, hybrid)
  • You set the pace (accelerate strong subjects, go slower on others)
  • You integrate subjects (history + literature + writing in one unit; science + field trips)
  • You emphasize strengths (STEM-focused, arts-focused, career-technical pathway)

The only mandate: cover all seven areas intentionally in a documented plan.

The Bottom Line

Montana’s required subjects are broad, foundational, and flexible. Your job is to teach them—not to use a particular textbook, follow a state standard, or pass a test. Choose curricula matching your child’s learning style and your teaching preference, document your plan, and adjust as you learn what works.

Most successful Montana homeschoolers teach a mix: traditional curriculum for math and ELA (structure), hands-on or project-based learning for science and social studies (engagement), and community resources for arts and career exposure (local connection, cost savings).

Keep it simple, stay organized, and you’ll meet Montana’s requirements fully while building a customized education.

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