As we continue our homeschooling adventure through the west, let’s take a look at another state that is very homeschool friendly; Montana! Homeschooling in Montana is a relatively simple process to adhere to, with the majority of requirements being in place to support families should they return to a traditional school setting.
Homeschooling in Montana: Getting Started
According to state law, there are five main requirements to homeschool in Montana, many of which are similar to those of other states across the country.
- File a notice of intent
- Keep attendance and immunization records
- Provide required hours of instruction
- Teach the required subjects
- Follow health and safety regulations
Intent to Homeschool in Montana
As with every state in the country, if your child is currently enrolled in a traditional school, you must file a letter of intent with the superintendent of the district where your school is located. This provides the school with information as to why your child is no longer enrolled and prevents any attendance confusion. In Montana, the “school fiscal year” is considered July 1-June 30.
Attendance and Immunization Records in Montana
Families who homeschool in Montana are only required to keep records of their child’s attendance hours and their immunization forms. These are to be kept should the superintendent request them. However, it’s also recommended that parents keep all of their child’s records together in a portfolio that includes; tests, quizzes, writing assignments, and other curriculum materials.
Required Hours of Homeschool Instruction in Montana
Depending on your child’s age or grade level, there will be a different number of required instructional hours. Children in grades 1-3 must receive 720 hours of instruction during the fiscal school year while those in grades 4-12 must receive 1,080. These records can be kept in your child’s portfolio and must be available upon request.
Required Homeschool Subjects in Montana
Parents can choose any homeschool program they wish, but it must include the following:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Health
- Arts
- Career Education
Following Health and Safety Regulations
If you choose to homeschool, you must ensure that you are following all local health and safety regulations within your home.
Enrolling In Traditional School After Homeschooling
While every district has their own specifications, these basic requirements are a pretty standard guideline for families. Every school will require some kind of record keeping and grading scale to best place students, as well as immunization records. Maintaining an organized portfolio is the best way to ensure there are no issues, should you decide it’s time to complete your homeschool journey.
Homeschooling With Dailies
Dailies is always open and we are here to support families every step of the way. Whether you are currently enrolled or have never heard of us until now, we are ready to help you take that first step into online education. Between small group classes, one-on-one tutoring sessions, enrichment camps, and even a total homeschool curriculum, we stay busy making sure that ALL students are supported on their educational journey. Visit us today at dailiespods.com to get started!
