How to homeschool in Colorado

Nonpublic home-based educational program · C.R.S. § 22-33-104.5

A parent, guardian, or an adult relative the parent designates teaches the child at home under the homeschool statute. The program is not supervised by the school district, but it must follow the notice, time, subject, testing, and record rules below.

Notice

• Send to: any Colorado school district (it does not have to be your local district).
• When: at least 14 days before starting the program, then annually while it continues.
• How often: annually.
• How: written notice to the district (CDE publishes a Notice of Intent template; certified mail with return receipt is a common way to keep proof).

Instruction time

At least 172 days per year, averaging 4 instructional contact hours per day.

Required subjects

• Reading.
• Writing.
• Speaking.
• Mathematics.
• History.
• Civics.
• Literature.
• Science.
• Regular courses of instruction in the U.S. Constitution.

Records to keep

• Attendance records (permanent).
• Test and evaluation results (permanent).
• Immunization records (permanent).

Testing / evaluation

In grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, either (a) a nationally standardized achievement test or (b) an evaluation by a qualified person (a licensed teacher, a teacher at an independent or parochial school, a licensed psychologist, or a person with a graduate degree in education). Results go to the school district that received your notice, or to a Colorado independent or parochial school. A composite score at or below the 13th percentile (with an option to retest using a different approved test), or an evaluation showing insufficient progress, lets the district require enrollment in a school until the next testing period.

Parent qualifications

None (the parent, guardian, or a designated adult relative may teach).

Also

• If the superintendent has probable cause to believe the program is out of compliance, you must produce your records within 14 days of a written request.
• A child who was habitually truant during the last six months of school attendance may start a home-based program only after the parents submit a written description of the curriculum along with the notice.
• Immunizations are required under Colorado health rules unless you file an official exemption.

What the notice must include

• Name of each child.
• Age of each child.
• Place of residence.
• Number of hours of attendance.

Checklist

• Send a written notice of intent to a Colorado school district: at least 14 days before starting, then each year.
• Teach 172 days, averaging 4 hours a day: each school year.
• Keep attendance, test/evaluation, and immunization records: ongoing (permanent records).
• Give a standardized test or arrange a qualified evaluation and submit results: in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

Enrollment in an independent (private) school

Your child enrolls in a Colorado independent or parochial school that supervises your home instruction (sometimes called an umbrella school), or several families form their own independent school. The school, not the homeschool statute, sets the attendance, record, and testing rules.

Notice

• Send to: the independent school you enroll in.
• When: at enrollment.
• How: the school's enrollment process.

Testing / evaluation

Set by the independent school.

Checklist

• Enroll in a Colorado independent school that supports home instruction: before you start homeschooling.
• Follow the school's attendance and reporting rules: ongoing.

Instruction by a licensed teacher

If the child is taught by a person holding a valid Colorado teaching license (which can be a parent), HSLDA reports that the homeschool statute's notice and assessment requirements do not apply.

Notice

Not required.

Parent qualifications

Valid Colorado teaching license.

Checklist

• Keep proof of the teacher's valid Colorado license: ongoing.