The Oregon Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS) is a nonprofit organization representing Oregon private schools in Oregon. Governed by a board of directors reflecting the diversity of Oregon’s private schools, OFIS works to ensure that Oregon private schools operate with a minimum of government influence or control so parents can choose from the widest range of educational options for their children. OFIS conducts programs and meetings and sends email updates to keep its members informed of developments and news affecting Oregon private schools. In 2025 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Pierce case, the 1925 US Supreme Court decision that overturned an Oregon ballot measure that outlawed all private schools in Oregon by imposing a fine and imprisonment on parents for each day a child wasn’t enrolled in a public school!
OFIS works hard to ensure that Oregon laws and administrative rules regarding private schools do not unduly restrict private school operations in Oregon. This has included appearances before the Oregon Department of Education’s Private School Partnership Committee, the State Board of Education and Oregon legislative committees concerned with education. OFIS is an active member of the Private School Partnership Committee. In past years, Private School Appreciation Day has been proclaimed by the governor and affirmed by the Board of Education and we look forward to Private School Appreciation Day being proclaimed on the first Thursday in February each year.
OFIS has received recognitions and commendations for its work from both the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) and the U.S. Department of Education.
All private schools need to join OFIS now to enable OFIS to do its job. School members are listed in the OFIS Directory on the OFIS website (ofisweb.org). Subject to underwriter approval, member schools are offered preferred insurance rates and dividends based on lower client acquisition costs.
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2024-2025 OFIS Member application (Click to download)