How Montana Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy
Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Enlightium has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Montana Office of Public Instruction, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; however, with a freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help!
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Montana’s homeschooling requirements.
Montana’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
|
Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? |
Yes |
|
State Educational Funds |
Yes |
|
Academic Calendar Requirement |
Yes |
|
Reporting Age Requirement |
7 |
|
Instructor Qualifications |
No |
|
Required Subjects |
Yes |
|
Standardized Assessment |
No |
|
Immunization Requirement |
Yes, with exemptions |
|
Keep a Portfolio |
Yes |
|
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Montana Families |
Yes |
Notifying the State
The Montana Office of Public Instruction requires homeschooling families to inform the county’s superintendent of schools of their intent to homeschool. Your family needs to do this every year and can do it as early as the start of the school fiscal year (July 1) for the upcoming school year.
State Educational Funds
The state of Montana provides qualifying families of students with special needs up to $8,000 in scholarships through the Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account.
Academic Calendar
Students in Kindergarten-3rd Grade:
The Montana Office of Public Instruction requires at least 720 hours of instruction each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30); this is four hours of instruction each day for 180 days.
Students in 4th-12th Grade:
The Montana Office of Public Instruction requires at least 1,080 hours of instruction each school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30); this is six hours of instruction each day for 180 days.
Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 210 days with summer school). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
Age Requirement
Ages six or younger:
Students are not required to attend school but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.
Aged seven on or before the first day of public school:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they either graduate or turn 16 years old. This includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
The Montana Office of Public Instruction does not require students to have teachers with specific credentials or qualifications.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state and/or ACSI-certified. A number of our faculty members have Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields.
Students in the Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) can use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) can use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives courses. Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and to find the curriculum option that works best for your family.
Required Subjects
The Montana Office of Public Instruction requires the following subjects:
The first four bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor. The latter three bullet points are electives available at Enlightium Academy.
Immunization Requirement
Immunization is required in the state of Montana; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunization, as we serve homeschool students. You may find the Montana state exemption form here.
Standardized Assessment
The Montana Office of Public Instruction does not require a standardized test for homeschooled students. However, Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per given grade level:
- Grades PreK-2: IXL diagnostic assessments; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 3-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT
Health and Safety Regulations
The Montana Office of Public Instruction requires that as your student is learning from home you must ensure that your home complies with local health and safety regulations.
Keep a Portfolio
You may need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include the following:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
- Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1, 2, and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of the school year or summer.
- Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
- Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Montana Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Montana to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the blue button near the top of the page.
Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review state requirements and regulations annually; however, each state may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your state board of education.
Sources reviewed in December 2023: