How do I notify NWRESD of my intent to homeschool my child?
Please notify NWRESD within 10 days of withdrawing your child from school, or within 10 days of the start of a new school year by using our simple and convenient online registration portal. Click Home-School Registration Portal and proceed with the registration. You can find a step-by-step guide here. The advantage of the online notification is that you have access to your account whenever you need to print a confirmation or a letter to college. If you don't want to use the online portal, please email your letter of intent to homeschool to: homeschool@nwresd.k12.or.us.
What information do I need to provide?
Please provide your first and last name, home address, mailing address, phone number and a valid email address as well as the name of the school district you reside in. When adding your child, please provide the registration date and your child’s first and last name and birthdate. Choose “Home School” as Status/Action. You can also add your child’s grade, last school attended and whether your child qualifies for Special Education, ELL or a 504 Plan. All information is confidential and not released outside of the district. For additional questions, please email: homeschool@nwresd.k12.or.us.
How can I receive a confirmation that I notified you of my homeschool intent?
You can easily save/print a confirmation letter by accessing your account. Go to Account Access and click on the icon: Print Registration Confirmation, or email us at: homeschool@nwresd.k12.or.us.
My child is 5 years old. I plan to homeschool them for kindergarten. Do I need to notify you?
No, you do not need to notify the ESD about your plans to homeschool until your child turns 6. Kindergarten is not compulsory in Oregon, so you are not required to notify us. You can find more information on the Oregon Department of Education website.
I registered my child as a homeschool student. Will our local school district be notified?
We recommend that you inform your local school of your decision to homeschool your child. Yes, ESDs are required to notify school districts at least annually of homeschooled students who reside in their boundaries per OAR 581-021-0026:(4)(b). There may not be a regular interval for this notification, however, so it is best practice for the family to notify the school when they withdraw their child(ren).
My child attends a private online school. Do I need to register my child to homeschool?
No. If your child is registered with an accredited online program, you do not need to register with Northwest Regional ESD as a homeschool student as long as the tuition-based program provides all the instruction. If your child is enrolled in a private online homeschool program that provides materials and expects the family to facilitate instruction, then you will need to notify Northwest Regional ESD.
We will continue to homeschool our child(ren) this upcoming school year. Do we need to notify you each school year?
No. If you continue homeschooling, you only need to notify us when you start homeschooling.
We decided to send our child(ren) back to public school. How do we cancel homeschooling?
Please access your online account. Go to Account Access and change the status from “Home School” to “Enrolled in Public School” for each child, or send an email to homeschool@nwresd.k12.or.us. We also suggest notifying your public school that your child(ren) are returning.
Will you send me curriculum materials once I notify you of my decision to home school my child?
No. The ESD does not provide curriculum or other teaching materials. You notify the ESD of your intent to home school your child and then you must follow the guidelines set by the Oregon Department of Education.
Do you provide language help for families who do not speak English?
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) sets the guidelines and requirements for home school students. Please find more information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions or contact ODE directly with specific questions.
ODE Contact Information:
Annie Marges
Alternative Education Options Specialist
Email: annie.marges@state.or.us
(503) 934-0787
