Catholic Homeschooling in Oregon
How to Homeschool in Oregon
Oregon is a state with moderate regulation of home education. There are some steps you need to take in order to comply with the laws regulating homeschooling in Oregon:
1. Send a notice of intent to homeschool to your local education service district (ESD) at the start of your homeschooling.
2. Test your children in grades, 3, 5, 8, and 10. The tests must be approved by the State Board of Education.
3. If your child has a disability, he/she must be evaluated for satisfactory educational progress according to your child’s IEP.
Compulsory school ages are 6-18. There are no state mandated subjects or immunization requirements.
Oregon Department of Education Home School Information
Oregon law allows a child between ages 6 and 18 (grades 1-12) to be taught by a parent, guardian, or private teacher in the child’s home. Parents may choose their own curriculum.
How to Comply with Oregon’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Oregon
Special Education Provisions for Oregon
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Oregon
Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.
OCEANetwork – Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network
The Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network (OCEANetwork) is not-for-profit organization that has been equipping homeschool families and protecting homeschool freedoms since 1986. They support families in Oregon and SW Washington with workshops, conferences, and written materials. They also monitor legislative and congressional actions that may jeopardize homeschool rights. They advance home education in Oregon in print, in public, in person, and in prayer.
OHEN – Oregon Home Education Network
Oregon Home Education Network (OHEN) is a statewide, all-inclusive, volunteer run nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information about homeschooling and promoting connection among homeschoolers. OHEN honors the rights of families to facilitate their children’s educational path and to make choices that respect the rights, needs, and aspirations of their children. OHEN encourages networking and communication among homeschooling families. They work with various homeschooling support groups and libraries around the state to help prospective and current homeschoolers find support, resources, and information. They also monitor and influence homeschool related legislation.
Catholic Homeschool Support Groups
CHOSEN – The Torchbearer
Pacific Northwest, Oregon
This is a supportive group of Catholic families homeschooling in the Pacific Northwest. They provide motivation, inspiration, and friendship for families. In-person activities include meetings, park days, field trips, a lending library, and social opportunities for children and families.
Holy Family Home School Group
Salem, OR, and the mid-Willamette Valley
This is a Catholic homeschool group serving the mid-Willamette Valley, including the cities surrounding Salem, Oregon.
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers
This Catholic homeschool support group offers regular gathers for social, acadmeic, and spiritual opportunities for the sake of their children’s homeschooling experience. They offer several chapters:
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Beaverton Area
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Gresham Area
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Hillsboro Area
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Portland Proper
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Salem Area
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Southeast Metro
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Southwest Metro
Oregon Catholic Homeschoolers – Yamhill County
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Homeschool Ministry
Portland, OR
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Homeschool Ministry is a Catholic homeschooling group that supports parents as the primary educators of their children. Members enjoy fellowship with monthly support meetings, field trips, weekly enrichment classes, and pastoral engagement with the Dominican friars. It is open to all parishioner and non-parishioner homeschool families.
Regina Caeli Portland
Portland, OR
Regina Caeli offers a hybrid homeschool program, with both at-home learning and classroom instruction. Students attend classes two days a week taught by tutors and complete their coursework at home on the remaining three days a week. Extracurricular activities such as sports, drama, art, and music are also offered. This program serves students in grades preK-12.
St. Joseph Homeschool Support Group
Springfield, OR
This homeschool support groups serves families at St. Alice Catholic Church and the surrounding region. The group meets once a week for activities and fellowship.
Catholic Homeschool Co-ops
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Homeschool Ministry
Portland, OR
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Homeschool Ministry is a Catholic homeschooling group that supports parents as the primary educators of their children. Members enjoy fellowship with monthly support meetings, field trips, weekly enrichment classes, and pastoral engagement with the Dominican friars. It is open to all parishioner and non-parishioner homeschool families.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies
Catholic Schoolhouse
Corvallis, OR
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure environment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year.
Regina Caeli Portland
Portland, OR
Regina Caeli offers a hybrid homeschool program, with both at-home learning and classroom instruction. Students attend classes two days a week taught by tutors and complete their coursework at home on the remaining three days a week. Extracurricular activities such as sports, drama, art, and music are also offered. This program serves students in grades preK-12.
Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Catholic Homeschool Conferences
The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024
Southern California Catholic Home Educators Conference
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Costa Mesa, CA
June 22, 2024
Come to this all day in-person conference. Keynote speaker is Laura Berquist, founder of Mother of Divine Grace School. Other speakers include Laurie Shepardson, Kathryn Anne Casey, Janette Pascua, Kendra Tierney, Monica Ashour, and more! Activities include a used curricula sale, high school track, Mass, speaker dinner, and a vendor hall.
Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference
Most Precious Blood, Denver, CO
July 12-13, 2024
This annual conference is independent and local, bringing in speakers from around the country. Featured speakers for 2023 include Maureen Wittmann of Homeschool Connections, Kerri Davison of Holy Heroes, Sara Masarik, and Ana Braga-Henebry. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers.
Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers
Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Sports for Homeschoolers
Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Oregon
According to Oregon revised statutes 339.460, school districts must allow homeschool students access to public school interscholastic activities.
Oregon Department of Education Statement on Interscholastic Activities
Oregon law (ORS 339.460) allows students who are homeschooled, enrolled in in a charter school, or a GED program to participate in interscholastic activities at their resident school. The law specifies that this is allowable in grades K-12, but that in grades K-8 this is restricted to those activities that occur before or after school. Homeschooled students who wish to participate must test annually, by August 15, or provide a work sample or portfolio to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Shrines & Pilgrimages in Oregon
Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
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