How to Homeschool in Montana
In one of the only places in the United States where you can find both mountains and plains, Montana is also a great place to begin homeschooling. Montana has very few restrictions when it comes to homeschooling and only has a few laws that you will need to follow. In Montana you can have your child be educated the way you believe is right. This article will help outline everything you will need to do in order to begin homeschooling. You will find in this article an:
- Overview of Montana homeschool laws
- Introduction to homeschool groups in Montana
- Description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started
* This page does not contain legal advice and is not an endorsement of any homeschool groups listed. (
see disclaimer)
Montana Homeschool Laws
Montana recognizes homeschooling as an alternate form of education for children, and because of this they require very little from you. In deciding to homeschool you are agreeing to comply with the following laws:
- You will file a letter of intent each year with your county superintendent
- You will maintain attendance records and immunization records for your child
- Your child will be taught in a building that complies with local health and safety regulations for homes
- You will provide 720 hours of instruction for grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4-12
- You will provide instruction in the same basic courses as public schools
As a homeschool parent you will be responsible for all aspects of your child’s education. This includes selecting the materials, textbooks and curriculum, deciding on a time and place of instruction, and evaluating your child’s progress. This can be a lot to deal with, but luckily there are homeschool groups in Montana designed to support and help you in anything you need. Bellow are a few groups in Montana and their descriptions to help you find one that fits your needs.
Homeschool Groups in Montana
Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Montana to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.
Cascade County Homeschoolers
Cascade County Homeschoolers is an online group that provides a place for its members to chat and discuss any concerns or questions they have regarding homeschooling. They also provide a space for homeschool parents to plan events and field trips where kids can get together and have social interaction while taking part in educational activities. You will also have access to information about fun events such as ski-trips, prom and graduation for all homeschool members. Cascade County Homeschoolers has a little something for both parents and kids. If you think you would fit in here check out their website for more about their events and support.
EMBER Educational Co-Op
This homeschool group provides enrichment classes for homeschool children. They provide extra classes that go beyond the home and allow your child to learn once a week in a classroom setting. This can allow your child to get social interactions with other kids, and offers the chance for your child to grow and experience what it is like to learn in a classroom. For a low cost you can have your child take one extra class each week and develop their love of learning.
Jefferson Valley Homeschool Association
While Jefferson Valley Homeschool Association is a Christian homeschool group, they invite any and all families who wish to join. At Jefferson Valley Homeschool Association you can find a place where your child can take part in group activities, you can have access to a resource library to help your instruction, and host/facilitate field trips. This homeschool group focuses on providing its members with supplies and experiences that they may not have access to. As a homeschooler your child may not get the same opportunities for field trips and fun excursions, but Jefferson Valley Homeschool Association can help give those experiences to your family.
Great Falls Homeschool Friends (GFHF)
Great Falls Homeschool Friends is a secular group open to all families in the Great Falls and surrounding areas. GFHF’s main purpose is to provide a place for support, field trips, and other social activities. Here members can post questions or concerns about their homeschooling experience, as well as any ideas they may have for activities and field trips.
Montana Coalition of Home Educators
The Montana Coalition of Home Educators came together in 1988 as a cooperative effort of many individuals, organizations, and support groups in the state. The goal was to bring homeschoolers together to protect Montana's home school freedom while maintaining the independence and autonomy of the individual families and the existing local and state organizations. To accomplish this goal, a loose network of these groups, individuals and organizations was formed. An executive committee was selected to serve as a central clearinghouse for information, to set up and maintain a communication network, to watch for political and legal threats to Montana's freedom, and to inform homeschoolers and suggest possible actions to meet those threats.
​
If you would like to recommend a new link or let us know about a problem with an existing link, please
contact usNOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.
A Homeschool Curriculum for Montana
Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Montana. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Montana legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:
- Hands-on activities,
- Differentiated options, and
- Independent projects.
Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.
Choose an age level to continue:
Disclaimers
Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.
Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.
