How to Start Homeschooling in Colorado
Are you thinking about making the switch to homeschooling? You’re not alone! Many parents are seeking more flexibility and autonomy than traditional schools can provide.
Colorado’s homeschooling laws are moderately strict. Parents still have flexibility but also a bit of structure to build off of. There are three different options for homeschooling in Colorado. If you’ve homeschooled before, or you’re wondering how to get started, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start your CO homeschool journey with confidence!
Homeschooling in Colorado at a Glance
Colorado – The Centennial State
| Option | Homeschool Statute | Independent School | Certified Teacher |
| Required Age | 6-16 | 6-16 | 6-16 |
| Standardized Testing | Assessment reporting required | Assessment reporting required | Not required |
| Subjects | Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, science, literature, the U.S. Constitution | Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, science, literature, the U.S. Constitution | Reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, science, literature, the U.S. Constitution |
| Time Requirements | Four hours daily for 172 days | 172 days | None |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by the parent | Determined by the school | Determined by the instructor |
| Special Requirements | N/A | No notice required | No notice, testing, or record keeping required |
| Financial Resources Available | No | No | No |
First, we’ll begin by going over all three options available for homeschooling. It’s important to consider the needs of both you and your child when choosing a way to homeschool. Also, please be aware that requirements can vary, depending on what you choose.
Option 1: Notice of Intent/ Homeschool Statute
Homeschooling under the homeschool statute means that you are accepting full responsibility for your child’s education. You will need to provide a curriculum, teach for the required amount of time, teach the required subjects, and test your students as necessary. This is the most hands-on method of homeschooling available in Colorado and is also the one with the most requirements. However, if you don’t want to enroll in an independent school or hire a private teacher, this option may be for you.
Option 2: Independent School
An independent school doesn’t receive government funds and is overseen by a board of trustees, like a private school. For homeschoolers, this can include an accredited online academy. If a child attends an independent school from home, they’re considered a nonpublic school student. These schools often provide curriculum, materials, testing, and reporting services.
Cover or umbrella schools, depending on their services, can be similar to independent schools but aren’t regulated by Colorado law. They primarily offer record keeping and reporting services for a fee, including attendance, course information, and test results. Some also provide diplomas, mentoring, field trips, social opportunities, curricula, or testing services.
Option 3: Homeschooling with a Certified Teacher
If you have a Colorado teaching license, or you hire an instructor who has one, you do not need to submit notice or any assessments. You are also exempt from record keeping.
Parent Qualifications
To homeschool a child in Colorado, you need to be their legal parent or guardian. If you are not, you can still qualify as long as their parent or guardian gives you permission. If you choose the certified teacher method, the instructor must have a valid Colorado teaching license.
Notice of Intent
Families who homeschool under the Homeschool Statute must provide a Notice of Intent at least 14 days before homeschooling begins. This should be a simple letter that includes your child’s name, birthdate, address, the name of the instructor, and certify that you will teach for the required amount of time. If it is a testing year, you should also include where you plan to submit your test results.
This letter should go to your local school district superintendent, as nonpublic education is not in the Colorado Department of Education’s jurisdiction. Licensed instructors do not need to provide a Notice of Intent.
Attendance
Homeschool students must attend lessons for an average of four hours per day, for a minimum of 172 days. This requirement does not apply to homeschool instructors with a teaching license.
Homeschool Curriculum
Homeschool laws in Colorado require students to learn the following subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Math
- History
- Civics
- Science
- Literature
- The U.S. Constitution
You’ll need to provide your own curriculum, as one will not be provided for you. Ideally, your child’s yearly academic progress should be comparable to their peers in conventional schools. For a better understanding of academic skills by grade level, you can visit the Colorado Academic Standards.
Accredited Homeschool Programs
Choosing the best homeschool curriculum in Colorado can be hard with so many options! If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. Miacademy’s online homeschool curriculum is accredited by the ACS-WASC, and can help you meet state requirements with little need for supplementation.
Testing
Homeschool students are exempt from state standardized testing. However, in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, students will need to complete some form of an assessment to check in on their academic progress.
The assessment can take the form of a nationally normed standardized test or an academic evaluation performed by a licensed administrator. A licensed administrator can be someone who:
- Holds a Colorado teaching license
- Holds a master’s degree in education
- Is a licensed psychologist
- Is a teacher at an independent or parochial school
If you choose the academic evaluation route, you and your administrator will decide together what an appropriate evaluation would be.
If you would like your student to participate in statewide standardized testing, they may still be able to, depending on where you live. Some school districts can provide the state exams to homeschool students, with advance notice. You’ll need to submit your test or evaluation results to whichever school district you submitted your Notice of Intent to.
Record Keeping
The State of Colorado does require you to keep thorough records. A homeschool portfolio is a great option to keep important documents safe. A list of items you need to keep in your portfolio include:
- Attendance records
- Test scores
- Immunization records
Other optional items to keep can include a list of courses taken, along with some of your student’s best work. The school district that you sent your Notice of Intent to can request to see these records if given probable cause.
Transcripts
High school transcripts are often necessary for college applications. It’s important to keep a list of all the courses, credit hours, final grades, and test scores from grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.
Graduation Requirements
In Colorado, homeschool students are able to graduate when they meet the requirements set by their parents, an instructor, or an independent school. You can view the Colorado Graduation Guidelines for a list of milestones that indicate college readiness.
If you are not enrolled in an independent or cover school, you may need to provide your own homeschool diploma. Some homeschoolers opt to take the GED or HiSET exam. Both exams are recognized by colleges and employers across the country. For more information on the GED and HiSET exams, you can visit the Colorado High School Equivalency Testing page.
Financial Resources
Unfortunately, there are no statewide financial resources available for Colorado homeschool families at this time. However, families who homeschool in Colorado may qualify for private scholarships or grants, such as the Parents Challenge scholarship and the Struggling Learner’s Fund.
To qualify for the Parents Challenge scholarship, you must live in El Paso County, Colorado, and meet all the necessary financial requirements. Scholarship recipients may receive up to $2,100 per year.
The Struggling Learner’s Fund scholarship award is determined on a case-by-case basis. Students receiving (or that have received) therapy or support are eligible to request reimbursement funds.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in Colorado, check out:
- Home School Resources from the Department of Education
- The Homeschool Mom for more about homeschool co-ops and groups
If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Colorado homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.
FAQ
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests in Colorado?
No, homeschoolers in Colorado do not have to take state standardized tests. However, they do have to have an end-of-year assessment in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. If you are homeschooling with an instructor who holds a teaching license, you are exempt from these assessments.
Do you get money for homeschooling in Colorado?
Unfortunately, the state does not provide any kind of financial assistance for homeschooling. Parents are responsible for all costs associated with home education.
Information accurate as of: 07/17/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.