How to start homeschooling in Oregon
The legal steps, in order, checked against Oregon law.
Short answer: Oregon parents who teach their child at home notify their education service district in writing within 10 days of starting or of withdrawing the child from school. Children are tested in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 with an approved test given by a neutral qualified person, and the parent keeps the results and submits them if the education service district asks. The law sets no required subjects, hours, or parent qualifications for this route.
Checked against Or. Rev. Stat. 339.010 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Instruction by a parent or legal guardian
Parents or legal guardians who will educate their child at home.
Steps
- Within 10 days of starting home instruction, or of withdrawing your child from a public or private school, send written notice to the education service district (ESD) that contains your school district of residence.
- Include your child's name and birth date, your name and address, and the name of the school your child attends or last attended, or your school district if your child has never attended school.
- Keep the ESD's written acknowledgment of your notice.
- Arrange testing in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 with a test from the state's approved list, given by a neutral qualified person who is not related to your child, no later than August 15 of the testing year.
- Keep the test results and submit them to the ESD if the ESD superintendent asks.
- If you move to a new ESD, notify the new ESD in writing within 10 days.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The education service district that contains the child's school district of residence When: Within 10 days of beginning home instruction or withdrawing the child from school, and within 10 days of moving to a new education service district |
|---|---|
| Subjects | None required by law |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | An approved comprehensive test in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, given by a neutral qualified person and completed by August 15 of the testing year. A child withdrawn from school takes the first test at least 18 months after withdrawal. A child who never attended school takes the first test before the end of grade 3. A composite score below the 15th percentile requires another test within a year, and continued decline can lead the ESD superintendent to require supervision by a licensed teacher or a return to school for up to 12 months. A child with a disability who has an IEP or private plan is evaluated according to that plan. |
| Records to keep | None required by law beyond submitting test results to the ESD on request |
The law: Or. Rev. Stat. 339.010 Or. Rev. Stat. 339.030(1)(e) Or. Rev. Stat. 339.035 Or. Admin. R. 581-021-0026
Leaving public school mid-year
When a child is withdrawn from a public or private school to be taught at home, the parent must notify the education service district in writing within 10 days. The ESD must acknowledge the notice in writing within 90 days.
Public school sports and activities
Yes. A school district may not deny a homeschooled student the chance to take part in interscholastic activities, including athletics, music, and speech, offered within the attendance boundaries where the student lives. The student must meet district eligibility rules other than attendance requirements, and must show academic eligibility either by scoring at or above the 23rd percentile on an approved test taken before the school year, or by meeting alternative requirements the district adopts, such as a portfolio review.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Oregon?
Yes, under the instruction by a parent or legal guardian route, you notify the education service district that contains the child's school district of residence within 10 days of beginning home instruction or withdrawing the child from school, and within 10 days of moving to a new education service district.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Oregon?
An approved comprehensive test in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, given by a neutral qualified person and completed by August 15 of the testing year. A child withdrawn from school takes the first test at least 18 months after withdrawal. A child who never attended school takes the first test before the end of grade 3. A composite score below the 15th percentile requires another test within a year, and continued decline can lead the ESD superintendent to require supervision by a licensed teacher or a return to school for up to 12 months. A child with a disability who has an IEP or private plan is evaluated according to that plan.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Oregon?
None. Oregon law does not set required subjects under the instruction by a parent or legal guardian route.
What ages must be schooled in Oregon?
Ages 6 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- Or. Rev. Stat. 339.010
- Or. Admin. R. 581-021-0026
- Home Schooling in Oregon, Oregon Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.