Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Oregon. One-time notification to your ESD, standardized testing at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 (results stay private), and complete curriculum freedom. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Oregon has a low-to-moderate regulatory environment for homeschooling. The state requires two things: a one-time notification to your local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of starting, and standardized testing at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Beyond these two requirements, Oregon gives homeschool families significant freedom.
There are no required subjects specified in the law, no minimum hours or days, no curriculum approval process, no teacher qualifications, and no portfolio reviews. Test results are completely private - they are not reported to the state, there is no minimum score requirement, and parents may administer the tests themselves.
One unique aspect of Oregon is that notification goes to your Education Service District (ESD), not your local school district. Oregon has 19 ESDs covering different regions of the state, and identifying yours is an important first step.
Oregon's notification is one-time only (not annual) as long as you stay in the same ESD region. You only need to re-notify if you move to a different ESD's territory. This is simpler than most states that require annual filing.
Oregon homeschool law is established by statute. Children may be "taught by a parent or legal guardian" in compliance with the notification and testing requirements. Homeschools are not classified as private schools in Oregon - they have their own distinct legal category.
| Requirement | Oregon Homeschool |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | ORS 339.030 & ORS 339.035 |
| Notification | One-time, within 10 days to ESD |
| Attendance | No minimum days or hours |
| Teacher Qualification | None (parent teaches) |
| Required Subjects | None specified |
| Curriculum | No approval required |
| Testing | Grades 3, 5, 8, 10 (private results) |
| Record-Keeping | Test results only (kept by parent) |
This statute establishes compulsory attendance for children ages 6-18 and provides exemptions, including home instruction by a parent or legal guardian.
This statute specifies the requirements for home instruction: notification to the ESD and standardized testing at designated grade levels. Administrative rules (OAR 581-021-0026) provide additional procedural details.
Oregon's Education Service Districts (ESDs) are not the same as local school districts. An ESD is a regional education agency that serves multiple school districts. Oregon has 19 ESDs. Your homeschool notification goes to your ESD, not your local school district. This is a common source of confusion for new homeschool families.
Starting to homeschool in Oregon requires a single administrative step: notifying your Education Service District. Here is the step-by-step process.
Oregon has 19 Education Service Districts covering different regions. Find yours through the Oregon Department of Education website. Major ESDs include Multnomah ESD (Portland), Lane ESD (Eugene area), and High Desert ESD (Central Oregon).
Submit a written notification to your ESD within 10 days of beginning home instruction. Include:
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, send a withdrawal letter to the school and request student records.
Oregon does not approve or review your curriculum. Choose whatever approach works best for your family and begin instruction.
File your notification within 10 days of beginning instruction. Do not wait. If your child is in public school, file the ESD notification and send the school withdrawal letter at the same time.
Keep a copy of your ESD notification and proof of delivery. Blue Folder can generate your notification letter and track your compliance status automatically. Try it free →
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Oregon requires a one-time written notification to your local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning home instruction.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Submit To | Local Education Service District (ESD) |
| Deadline | Within 10 days of beginning |
| Frequency | One-time (unless moving to new ESD region) |
| Form | Written notification (letter) |
| Approval Needed | No - notification only |
You only need to file again if you move to a different ESD region. Annual re-notification is not required if you remain in the same area. This makes Oregon's notification process one of the simplest among states that require it.
Major ESDs include: Multnomah ESD (Portland Metro), Clackamas ESD, Lane ESD (Eugene), Marion ESD (Salem area), High Desert ESD (Bend/Central Oregon), Southern Oregon ESD (Medford area), and Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD. Find your specific ESD through the Oregon Department of Education.
Oregon does not specify required subjects for homeschoolers. Parents have complete discretion over what to teach, what materials to use, and how to structure instruction. There is no state-mandated curriculum, no textbook requirements, and no curriculum approval process.
Since standardized testing occurs at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, students should be prepared in the subjects that are typically tested:
Most Oregon homeschool families cover a broad range of subjects, including:
Oregon allows any teaching method or approach. You can use traditional textbooks, online courses, unit studies, unschooling, classical education, Charlotte Mason, or any combination. Religious instruction is permitted. No one reviews or approves your curriculum choices.
Even though Oregon does not mandate specific subjects, ensure your child is comfortable with reading and math concepts appropriate to their grade level before testing years (3, 5, 8, 10). Test scores are private with no minimum requirement, but being prepared reduces stress for everyone.
Oregon does not mandate specific hours or days of instruction for homeschoolers. Parents determine their own schedule. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can school year-round, take breaks when needed, or adjust your schedule as you see fit.
Instruction should be regular (not sporadic) and age-appropriate, but there is no defined minimum.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Days Per Year | Not specified |
| Hours Per Day | Not specified |
| Schedule | Entirely flexible |
| Attendance Tracking | Not required (recommended) |
Even though Oregon has no attendance requirements, keeping a basic log helps with college applications, returning to public school, and your own planning. Most Oregon homeschool families teach between 160-180 days per year. Blue Folder makes attendance tracking effortless. Try it free →
Oregon requires standardized testing at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 only. This is the state's primary oversight requirement. However, the testing rules are designed to be minimally intrusive.
| Grade | Typical Age | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 8-9 years | Standardized test |
| Grade 5 | 10-11 years | Standardized test |
| Grade 8 | 13-14 years | Standardized test |
| Grade 10 | 15-16 years | Standardized test |
Any nationally normed standardized achievement test is accepted. Common options include:
If your child has a documented disability that makes standardized testing inappropriate, you may apply for a waiver or modification of the testing requirement through your ESD. Documentation of the disability will be required.
Best practice is to test in the spring of the applicable grade year, similar to public school testing schedules. This gives your child the full school year of instruction before testing.
Oregon's record-keeping requirements are minimal. You must keep your ESD notification on file and retain standardized test results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Beyond that, no records are required by law.
Oregon's testing-year schedule means you may have years with no required records and years where you need test documentation. Blue Folder tracks your testing schedule and reminds you when it is time to test. Try it free →
Oregon does not offer financial assistance for homeschool families. There are no ESA programs, vouchers, tax credits, or tax deductions for homeschool expenses.
| Program | Available? |
|---|---|
| ESA Program | No |
| Vouchers | No |
| Tax Credits | No |
| Tax Deductions | No |
Oregon does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool access to public school sports, but the OSAA (Oregon School Activities Association) does allow some participation. Homeschoolers may participate at their resident district school if they meet eligibility requirements, but access is not guaranteed and varies by district.
Oregon's public universities accept homeschool graduates. Requirements vary by campus but typically include SAT/ACT scores, parent-created transcripts, course descriptions, and personal essays. Oregon's community college system is particularly accessible and offers dual enrollment options.
Major options include University of Oregon (Eugene), Oregon State University (Corvallis), Portland State University, and the state's community college system. Contact each school's admissions office for specific homeschool requirements.
Oregon homeschool law is relatively straightforward, but there are several common mistakes new families make.
File your ESD notification within 10 days and keep proof of delivery. This is your primary compliance requirement. Identify the correct ESD for your area before filing - sending it to the wrong office does not count.
Don't make these mistakes
Blue Folder tracks every requirement and keeps your records organized automatically.
Track Oregon ComplianceWithin 10 days of beginning home instruction. File your notification with your ESD promptly - do not wait until your curriculum is fully planned.
No. Oregon's notification is one-time only. Re-notify only if you move to a different ESD region.
Nothing. There are no minimum scores and results are not reported to the state. The test is for your information only. There are no consequences for any score.
No. Parents may administer standardized tests themselves. You can also use a testing service if you prefer.
You may apply to your ESD for a testing exemption or modification. Documentation of the disability will be required. Contact your ESD for the specific procedure.
Possibly. Oregon allows some participation through the OSAA, but it is not guaranteed by state law. Contact your local school district about their specific policy for homeschool students.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Oregon Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For legal support, see HSLDA Oregon. Last updated February 2026.