Getting started - Registration

Step 1: Register with your county Education Service District (ESD)

Use the online form if they have one, or a letter (see example below).  Note - the ESD is different from your local school district.  It is a county or regional office.

If you live in the following counties, you can use one common link (below) to register as a homeschooler for any of them:  Multnomah ESD, Clackamas ESD, Northwest Regional ESD (Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties), Southern Oregon ESD (Jackson, Jefferson, and Klamath counties), Willamette ESD (Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties).

If you live elsewhere, Google your county ESD homeschool registration page.

Tip: They will either send you a confirmation in the mail, or you can go to a separate link to print the confirmation.  Keep that letter, it's proof you are registered, and it is helpful for getting store discounts!  

Step 2: If your child has been in school, let the school know they will not be returning. 

This can be verbal or an email, and no explanation or permission is needed.  If your child has not been in school yet, see below for age requirements.

Step 3: Have fun homeschooling!  

Take some time to Deschool, and see the Homeschool Methods pages for ideas.

When do we have to register?

Oregon law says you must register when your child has turned 6 before September 1st.  This is the age of compulsory school or homeschool. If they have turned 6 and might normally enter school in Kindergarten or First Grade that year, then you are required to register.

The notice must be given within 10 days after you withdraw the child from school, or within 10 days after the first day of school if you begin homeschooling during the summer or at the start of a school year. 

Note - there is no agency that will come looking for you to do this, it's a voluntary compliance requirement.  

Example ESD Notice Letter

If your ESD doesn't have online registration, use the following form letter.  Note - this is all the legally required information. If web sites or ESD's ask you for anything more, you can politely decline.

(date)

To Whom It May Concern:

This is my notice of intent to homeschool my child pursuant to OAR 581-021-0026 (4).

Parent’s name:

Child’s name:

Child’s birthdate:

Child’s Address:

School district where child resides:

Parent’s phone:

Parent’s email:

Sincerely,

(your signature)