Montana vs South Dakota: Homeschool Laws Compared

Montana and South Dakota sit in the same tier: both require notice but no testing or evaluation. They still differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

5

Same in both

4

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 Montana to South Dakota

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

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in South Dakota rather than the local school district.
2. South Dakota 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. South Dakota's required list adds language arts and math and drops english language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, arts, and career education compared with Montana's. Match South Dakota's wording in your records.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in South Dakota against 7-16 in Montana, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In South Dakota the answer is yes; in Montana it was yes, with conditions.

Moving from South Dakota to Montana

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

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Montana rather than the state education department.
2. Start logging from your first day: Montana counts 720 hours (1,080 for grades 7-12) a year, and South Dakota set no minimum.
3. Montana's required list adds english language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, arts, and career education and drops language arts and math compared with South Dakota's. Match Montana's wording in your records.
4. Compulsory school ages are 7-16 in Montana against 6-18 in South Dakota, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Montana the answer is yes, with conditions; in South Dakota it was yes.

What stays the same

Montana and South Dakota match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Montana nor South Dakota 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

• Idaho vs Montana 3 rules differ
• Iowa vs South Dakota 5 rules differ
• Minnesota vs South Dakota 5 rules differ
• Montana vs North Dakota 3 rules differ
• Montana vs Wyoming 4 rules differ
• Nebraska vs South Dakota 3 rules differ
• North Dakota vs South Dakota 6 rules differ
• South Dakota vs Wyoming 5 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