Homeschool benefits: Helena Public Schools
Helena Public Schools must enroll a homeschooled child in grades K-12 who lives in the district in individual classes part time when you ask, under Policy 3155. Sign up for yearlong courses before school opens and for semester courses at least one week before the semester starts.
Who qualifies
Lives in Helena School District
Your child must reside within the Helena School District boundaries and meet the district's age requirements.
Is homeschooled or in private school
Your child's primary education happens outside Helena schools, through home school or private school, and meets Montana law's requirements.
Declares part-time status
You declare part-time status when you register your child.
What the policy allows
The rules come from Helena Public Schools Policy 3155, Part-Time Attendance, last revised December 12, 2023, and the district's admission policy.
- Grades open
- K-12
- Yearlong course enrollment
- Before school opens
- Semester course enrollment
- At least 1 week before the semester
- Extracurricular activities
- Open if eligible under Montana law
- IEP or Section 504 placement
- Also admitted
The policy does not list which classes or schools are open to part-time students, so ask the district office about your child's school assignment before the deadline.
How to enroll part time
- Before you register
Pick the classes
Decide which classes your child will take, and whether each runs all year or one semester.
- At registration
Declare part-time status
Tell the district you are registering your child as a part-time student.
- Before school opens
Enroll in yearlong courses
Yearlong courses must be requested before the first day of school.
- 1 week before the semester
Enroll in semester courses
Semester courses must be requested at least one week before the semester starts.
What it includes
Included
- Individual classes in grades K-12
- Part-time placement through an IEP or Section 504 plan
Not included
- Students who live outside the district
Who to contact about part-time enrollment
The district central office answers registration and enrollment questions.
406-324-2000 Registration and enrollment
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Montana
You must notify the county superintendent each school fiscal year. State law does not set a specific calendar deadline.
Montana sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide an organized course covering the public-school basic instructional program and meet grade-level aggregate hours: 720 for grades 1–3 and 1,080 for grades 4–12. Kindergarten is 360 hours half-time or 720 full-time. For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours may suffice; statutory proficiency exceptions may apply.
- Testing: Montana does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Montana requires you to keep attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent on request. Current homeschool law does not require immunization records.
- Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool parent.
Montana also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- Montana's special-needs Education Savings Account reimburses approved tuition, curriculum, tutoring, and therapy costs for students with a qualifying disability. Check the program's current notices: a court stay has affected when it operates.
Read the Montana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Montana
Questions parents ask
- Can my homeschooled child take just one class at a Helena public school?
- Yes. Policy 3155 lets K-12 students who live in the district and are homeschooled take classes part time, and the trustees must admit a qualifying home school student when the parent asks.
- When is the deadline for Helena part-time enrollment?
- Request yearlong courses before school opens and semester courses at least one week before the semester begins.
- Can my child also play sports?
- Yes, if your child is eligible under Montana law. Part-time enrollment does not limit a home school student from extracurricular activities.
- Is there an age limit?
- Yes. A child must turn 5 by September 10 to start kindergarten, and students who turn 19 by September 10 cannot enroll without a waiver approved by the board.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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