Starting a Private School in Oregon
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Oregon. Enjoy!
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Oregon State Regulations
General Regulations
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There are no accreditation requirements and only residential schools are required to be licensed. Private alternative schools, a special type of private school in Oregon, must be both approved and registered in order to receive funding.
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The Oregon Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Oregon.
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There are few homeschool restrictions, but all homeschool students must take periodic comprehensive exams to ensure they are making academic progress.
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The Oregon DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Oregon does not provide funding for private education except in the case of “private alternative schools,” which is a special type of private school that must be approved and registered with the state. These specific schools can receive public school funding.
Curriculum Requirements
Students are expected to have a course of study similar to what is usually taught in the public school. Private alternative schools have additional curriculum requirements aimed at assisting at-risk students.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teachers are not required to be certified.
Food Services / Lunch
In Oregon, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
Students must attend school an equivalent amount of time as public school.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Private elementary and secondary schools must transfer student progress records within 10 days of being notified of the student’s enrollment in another school. Private alternative schools must report annually on each student’s academic progress, including the results of the state assessment, to students, parents and the school district.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must be immunized before enrolling of show documentation of a medical or religious exemption. Private schools must provide instruction in exiting the building in an emergency and seeking shelter in case of an earthquake. Schools must conduct at least two earthquake drills and two safety threats drills a year, as well as drills on fires. Schools in coastal zones must conduct at least three drills on earthquakes and tsunamis each year.
Transportation
All children attending private or parochial schools under the compulsory school attendance laws are entitled to transportation along or near the designated routes when the district provides transportation for public school students.
Testing
Students enrolled in private alternative schools must take the statewide assessment developed by the Oregon Department of Education.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
Oregon State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Oregon Federation of Independent Schools: OFIS works to ensure that Oregon private schools are able to operate with a minimum of government influence or control so that parents can choose from a wide range of educational options for their children.
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Northwest Association of Independent Schools: A nonprofit membership association that provides accreditation, professional development and support services to over 110 schools in Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Government Websites
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Guide Quick-Nav
Introduction
We’ve developed these 10 topics to help you along the way. Take them all in at once, or start with the areas most relevant right now.
School Identity
There’s plenty you can do to develop your own brand, starting right from your personal ideals and goals for your school.
Curriculum
Our curriculum pages include ideas on where to go to find materials, and different associations and educational models you may want to consider.
Legal & Operating Requirements
You need to know the requirements at both the federal level and for your state. Here are the basic details for every state.
Funding & Finance
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.
Business Plan & Budget
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Facilities
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.
Staffing
How can you find and recruit the right talent for your school? What qualifications or certifications are required?
Policies & Procedures
Thinking about more than just a student handbook and conduct code, we've included recommendations & templates to help you develop your school policies & procedures
Marketing & Online Presence
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Associations
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.