Idaho vs Montana: Homeschool Laws Compared

Montana is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Idaho requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 3 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, and required subjects.

Rules compared

9

Differences

3

Same in both

6

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Idaho to Montana

Once you are a Montana resident you homeschool under Montana's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Montana resident. Idaho did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. Start logging from your first day: Montana counts 720 hours (1,080 for grades 7-12) a year, and Idaho set no minimum.
3. Montana's required list adds english language arts, mathematics, health, arts, and career education and drops language arts and math compared with Idaho's. Match Montana's wording in your records.

Moving from Montana to Idaho

Once you are a Idaho resident you homeschool under Idaho's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in Idaho. Before you leave, send Montana's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. Idaho sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
3. Idaho's required list adds language arts and math and drops english language arts, mathematics, health, arts, and career education compared with Montana's. Match Idaho's wording in your records.

What stays the same

Idaho and Montana match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Idaho nor Montana takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• California vs Idaho 5 rules differ
• Idaho vs Oregon 4 rules differ
• Idaho vs Utah 4 rules differ
• Idaho vs Washington 5 rules differ
• Montana vs North Dakota 3 rules differ
• Montana vs South Dakota 5 rules differ
• Montana vs Wyoming 4 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table