Homeschool Charters

What is a Homeschool Charter?

In general, a charter school is a public school, started by a group of parents or individuals who operate under an agreement with a particular school district.  The district provides them some percentage of the funds they receive per student from the state, and the charter school board runs the school according to their vision.  Frequently a charter has a certain focus, such as arts, science, or alternative learning.   Most charter schools have a building and students take all classes on-site in person, similar to a regular public school.

A homeschool charter, by contrast, might not have a building at all, or perhaps just offices or a few classrooms. Most of the learning is done at home, either via a parent teacher or on a computer.  The school receives money from the district, part of which pays for employees and a facility, and part of which may be available to the homeschooling families as a stipend for books, supplies, and classes, paid for via the school.  

How do Homeschool Charters work?

Each charter is slightly different in their approach, requirements, and benefits. Be sure to ask lots of questions and understand the benefits and trade-offs. Things to ask:

• How often do we need to meet with a teacher, and is that in-person or online?

• Are there any other reporting requirements?

• How do they handle standardized testing?

• What are the options for using the stipend?  Dollar amounts?

• Will they pay for outside classes? 

• What classses or subjects are required?

• How much flexibility do we have in meeting the academic requirements, for a child on an IEP?

• What is their staffing situation for IEP meetings, evaluations, etc?

• What in-person offerings are there, and can my child's needs be accommodated?

Most charters offer more online options as a child ages, with a majority of middle and high school classes being taught online. Some also offer in-person classes for those who live near a campus building, for things like science labs, or tutoring.

Note that you don't have to register as a homeschooler if you enroll in a charter, since they are actually a public school. 

When do we apply for admission?

Most charter schools have an application / lottery admission process in the winter prior to the coming school year. After the lottery they usually have a wait list. Be sure to watch the deadlines for application, as they are typically in February or March, and some have a required meeting attendance to apply.  The fully online schools such as Connections Academy and ORVA have less restrictions, but it is still advisable to start at the beginning of the school year, as they might not be flexible about make-up work.

What about standardized testing at a Charter School?

Since charters are public entities, they offer the usual annual state testing that all public schools use, currently the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests.  You can easily opt out of these if you choose.  Just turn in a simple form a few months prior to the testing to opt out.  No reasons are necessary and you have the legal right to do it.  The tests cover math, language arts (including essays from kids over 2nd grade), science and history as they have been taught in public schools.

If your child has been doing alternative curriculum, it may not make sense to test them on subjects they haven't covered.  If you are with an online school, then likely your student has been learning the standard Common Core curriculum and you can decide if the tests make sense.  Also if your child has an IEP, alternative testing methods may be defined there.

Note: Homeschool charters may also adminitor other standard tests during the year, at their discretion (for example, EasyCBM, Star360, iReady, Dibels, and MAP).  These are NOT covered by the Opt Out laws and so you may need to discuss and advocate if you don't want your child to take them.  

Charter School List

Please see the separate web site, OregonHomeschoolCharters.org, for a complete list of all the homeschool / virtual / distance learning charters in Oregon.  There is a comparison chart for viewing or printing, and all important details for each school.