How to Start Homeschooling in Oregon

Home education is gaining popularity in the Beaver State, and Oregon’s homeschool laws are relatively straightforward. If you are interested in exploring a more relaxed and independent approach to your child’s education, you’ve come to the right place!

Before you begin your homeschooling journey, it’s important to make sure you understand Oregon’s homeschool requirements. While there are guidelines, you can still enjoy the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to start homeschooling in Oregon with confidence.

Homeschooling in Oregon at a Glance

Oregon – The Beaver State

Required Age	6-18
Standardized Testing	Required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10
Subjects	None
Time Requirements	None
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	Must complete additional annual evaluations if your student has a disability
Financial Resources Available

Parent Qualifications

There are no parental qualifications to homeschool your child in Oregon.

Notice of Intent

Before you begin homeschooling in Oregon, you’ll need to notify your local Education Service District (ESD). You will only need to notify them once, within 10 days of beginning to homeschool.

This Notice of Intent (NOI) should include the names, address, and birth dates of each child you plan on homeschooling and the name of the school they previously attended. If your child has not yet been enrolled in school, you will instead include the name of your local school district.

Attendance

There are no daily or yearly time requirements for homeschoolers in Oregon. Parents may teach on whatever schedule works best for their family.

Homeschool Curriculum

Unlike other states with stricter regulations, homeschool programs in Oregon do not have any subject requirements. This means that parents are free to choose any curriculum or educational approach that works best for their family!

Accredited Homeschool Programs

Choosing the best homeschool curriculum in Oregon can be difficult with so many options! To narrow your search and ensure your student is getting a quality education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum.

Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. The good news is, Miacademy’s online homeschool program is fully accredited by the ACS-WASC! When you homeschool with our program, you can be confident that your student will get a great educational experience.

Testing

Homeschool parents in Oregon must administer standardized tests in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. The test can be any standardized test approved by the State Board of Education and must be completed by August 15th. You must provide your results to the district, if requested.

If your student has a disability, you can satisfy the testing requirement by creating an IEP or PDP, depending on your needs.

Record Keeping

In Oregon, parents are not required to keep or submit annual records.

However, a homeschool portfolio can be a good tool to monitor your child’s progress to ensure continuous learning.

Good items to keep in your portfolio include:

A copy of your NOI
Subjects studied
Report cards or grades earned
Standardized test scores
Documentation of extracurricular activities

Transcripts

Transcripts are not a homeschool requirement but are often necessary for college applications. A transcript should list all courses, credit hours, and final grades earned from grades 9th-12th. You can make your own transcripts or use an online homeschool curriculum that tracks these things for you.

Graduation Requirements

As a homeschool parent, the State of Oregon lets you decide when your child has successfully completed high school. Parents can also provide their own high school diploma upon graduation.

While the loose requirements may take pressure off, it can be difficult to know when your student is ready to graduate. Some parents find it helpful to look to their state’s graduation requirements for public and private schools to gain a better understanding of what their student should know before graduation.

Financial Resources

The Children’s Scholarship Fund of Oregon (CSF-Oregon) gives partial scholarships to K-8 students from lower-income families to put better educational opportunities within reach. These scholarships can be used for private or parochial schools, including homeschool expenses. Scholarships for homeschooled students are capped at $500 per student.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Oregon, check out the following:

If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool program for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team!

The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Oregon homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.

FAQ

How do I start homeschooling in Oregon?

To start homeschooling in Oregon, you only need to do two things:

Submit a Notice of Intent to your local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning to homeschool.
Administer standardized tests in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10.

Is unschooling legal in Oregon?

Yes, unschooling is legal in Oregon. As long as you submit your Notice of Intent and test your child in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, you’re able to homeschool in whichever way is best for your family.

Information accurate as of: 05/20/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.