Your state guide · 2026
Oregon homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Oregon lets a parent, legal guardian or private teacher teach a child at home after notifying the local education service district (ESD) in writing.
Editorial category; see the guide.
The state education department says within 10 days of withdrawing the child from school or of the start of the school year.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
M · ModerateView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Oregon | Moderate |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredA written notice that the child is being taught at home by a parent, legal guardian or private teacher. The ESD acknowledges receipt in writing. A new notice is required after moving to a different ESD.
Subjects
RequiredNot specified in state law. The state education department says families choose their own curriculum and do not have to follow state standards.
Hours / days
Not specifiedNot specified in state law for parent instruction. A private teacher must teach for a period equal to public school.
Testing / evaluation
RequiredChildren take a test from the State Board of Education's approved list at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, by August 15, given and scored by a neutral qualified tester. A child withdrawn from public school is first tested at least 18 months after withdrawal. Scores go to the parent and to the ESD on request. A composite score below the 15th percentile triggers a retest within a year, and continued decline lets the ESD superintendent require supervision by a licensed teacher or order school attendance for up to 12 months. Children with an IEP or privately developed plan are evaluated under that plan instead.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedNot specified in state law, apart from keeping test results to submit when the ESD asks.
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
At a glance
- Notify your ESD in writing
- No required subjects or hours for parents
- Tests at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10
- Testing due by August 15
- Home school students can join interscholastic activities
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–18 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | The state education department says within 10 days of withdrawing the child from school or of the start of the school year. |
| Required subjects | Not specified in state law. The state education department says families choose their own curriculum and do not have to follow state standards. |
| Instruction time | Not specified in state law for parent instruction. A private teacher must teach for a period equal to public school. |
| Parent qualifications | Not specified in state law |
| Tests & assessments | Children take a test from the State Board of Education's approved list at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, by August 15, given and scored by a neutral qualified tester. A child withdrawn from public school is first tested at least 18 months after withdrawal. Scores go to the parent and to the ESD on request. A composite score below the 15th percentile triggers a retest within a year, and continued decline lets the ESD superintendent require supervision by a licensed teacher or order school attendance for up to 12 months. Children with an IEP or privately developed plan are evaluated under that plan instead. |
| Records to keep | Not specified in state law, apart from keeping test results to submit when the ESD asks. |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law |
How to start homeschooling in Oregon
Families choose their own curriculum, and the state sets no subject list, hour count or teacher qualification. Children take a state-approved national achievement test at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, given by a neutral qualified tester, and parents send the scores to the ESD when asked.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home instruction by a parent or legal guardian. A parent or guardian teaches the child at home under ORS 339.030 and 339.035 after notifying the ESD.
Private teacher. A private teacher teaches the usual K-12 courses for a period equal to public school; the same ESD notice and testing rules apply.
Prepare your notice
A written notice that the child is being taught at home by a parent, legal guardian or private teacher. The ESD acknowledges receipt in writing. A new notice is required after moving to a different ESD.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: The state education department says within 10 days of withdrawing the child from school or of the start of the school year.
Where: The education service district that contains the child's resident school district.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Home instruction by a parent or legal guardian. A parent or guardian teaches the child at home under ORS 339.030 and 339.035 after notifying the ESD. Private teacher. A private teacher teaches the usual K-12 courses for a period equal to public school; the same ESD notice and testing rules apply. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A written notice that the child is being taught at home by a parent, legal guardian or private teacher. The ESD acknowledges receipt in writing. A new notice is required after moving to a different ESD. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | The state education department says within 10 days of withdrawing the child from school or of the start of the school year. The education service district that contains the child's resident school district. |
Subjects to teach
- Not specified in state law. The state education department says families choose their own curriculum and do not have to follow state standards.
Sports & extracurricular activities
Districts must let homeschooled students take part in interscholastic activities in the attendance area where they live if they meet district eligibility rules and show academic eligibility, such as scoring at or above the 23rd percentile on an approved test. The state education department says these students test every year, by August 15, or show progress with a work sample or portfolio.
Official forms & law
Oregon Department of Education ↗
Forms & guidance
- ESD homeschool notification websites (spreadsheet) ↗
- List of homeschool testers (spreadsheet) ↗
- Homeschooling FAQs (PDF) ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Oregon?
A written notice that the child is being taught at home by a parent, legal guardian or private teacher. The ESD acknowledges receipt in writing. A new notice is required after moving to a different ESD.
When do I file in Oregon?
The state education department says within 10 days of withdrawing the child from school or of the start of the school year.
What assessments are required in Oregon?
Children take a test from the State Board of Education's approved list at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 10, by August 15, given and scored by a neutral qualified tester. A child withdrawn from public school is first tested at least 18 months after withdrawal. Scores go to the parent and to the ESD on request. A composite score below the 15th percentile triggers a retest within a year, and continued decline lets the ESD superintendent require supervision by a licensed teacher or order school attendance for up to 12 months. Children with an IEP or privately developed plan are evaluated under that plan instead.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- ORS Chapter 339, School Attendance; Admission; Discipline; Safety ↗Oregon State Legislature
- Homeschooling in Oregon ↗Oregon Department of Education
- Homeschool: Information for Families ↗Oregon Department of Education
- Homeschool: Information About Testing ↗Oregon Department of Education
Last verified .