Oregon · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Oregon

Oregon asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile onceOne-time written notice to local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning homeschool or withdrawing from public/private school. Additional notice required upon moving to a new ESD jurisdiction.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Oregon

Written from Oregon's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Oregon asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: One-time written notice to local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning homeschool or withdrawing from public/private school. Additional notice required upon moving to a new ESD jurisdiction. This is a one-time filing — you will not repeat it each year. It goes to Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission.
Choose what to teach
Oregon does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Oregon does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Oregon asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Nationally standardized achievement test administered by a neutral, qualified person (not a household member); Test scores must be submitted to ESD by August 15 in applicable grade years. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission
When it is due: One-time written notice to local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning homeschool or withdrawing from public/private school. Additional notice required upon moving to a new ESD jurisdiction.
How often: Once, when you begin
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx
Ongoing reporting: None

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Nationally standardized achievement test administered by a neutral, qualified person (not a household member)
Test scores must be submitted to ESD by August 15 in applicable grade years
Named tests: Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) / Terra Nova 3 (California Achievement Test)Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Test Battery(Two most recent versions of each approved test)
Portfolio: Not required

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Oregon does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Oregon sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Home instruction under ORS 339.035 — one-time ESD notice within 10 days of starting; test at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 by August 15 (new homeschoolers have 18-month grace period before first test); no subject mandates, no instruction hours, no teacher qualifications
Umbrella / cover schools: Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network (OCEAN) and Oregon Home Education Network (OHEN) provide community and testing resources. No formal in-state umbrella school structure is required by law.

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Oregon homeschool students are eligible to participate in interscholastic activities (including sports) at their local public school, contingent on scoring at or above the 23rd percentile on an annual standardized achievement test (ORS 339.460).
Dual enrollment: Oregon homeschool students may enroll part-time in public school courses and programs under district discretion. Community college dual enrollment is available independently.
Diplomas: Oregon does not issue state diplomas to homeschoolers. Families self-issue transcripts and diplomas. Test score portfolios from grade-level tests provide documentation.
College admissions: Oregon colleges (University of Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State) accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores and parent-prepared transcripts are standard. Grade-level test scores (required by law) provide additional documentation.
Support for additional needs: FAPE entitlement ends upon withdrawal from public school. Oregon ESDs must conduct Child Find evaluations upon request.

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Oregon

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Oregon education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Oregon

Is homeschooling legal in Oregon?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Oregon. Oregon has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires families to file a Notice of Intent by One-time written notice to local Education Service District (ESD) within 10 days of beginning homeschool or withdrawing from public/private school. Additional notice required upon moving to a new ESD jurisdiction.. This is a one-time filing when you begin homeschooling.

How many instruction days are required in Oregon?

Oregon does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Oregon?

Oregon does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Oregon require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Oregon requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Nationally standardized achievement test administered by a neutral, qualified person (not a household member), Test scores must be submitted to ESD by August 15 in applicable grade years.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Oregon?

No. Oregon does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Oregon homeschool students are eligible to participate in interscholastic activities (including sports) at their local public school, contingent on scoring at or above the 23rd percentile on an annual standardized achievement test (ORS 339.460).

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Oregon

Oregon requires a one-time written notice to the local ESD within 10 days of starting. No subject mandates and no instruction hours required. Testing is required at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 (by August 15 each applicable year) using a state-approved test administered by a neutral third party (not a household member). New homeschoolers have an 18-month grace period before first test. Approved tests: CTBS/Terra Nova 3, Iowa Basic, Stanford. Sports access contingent on scoring at or above the 23rd percentile.

Source: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission — www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Oregon

Regulator: Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission
Official site: www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx
Forms: www.oregon.gov/ode/learning-options/homeschool/pages/infoforfamilies.aspx

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Oregon's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from Oregon's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Local Education Service District (ESD) — notice filing and test score submission. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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