How to Homeschool in Colorado

Dailies is here to answer any questions about homeschooling in Colorado. Making a major change in your life, especially involving your kids, can be daunting. We are here to help you in any way that we can!

 Is Colorado a Homeschool-Friendly State?

 The good news is that, yes! Colorado is a very homeschool-friendly state with many resources available to families looking to transition from traditional schooling. There are three possible avenues for you to take when enrolling your child in a Colorado-based homeschool program.

 Option 1: Home-Based Education Program

 There are many components of the home-based education program that must be completed for your child to be lawfully enrolled in homeschooling. It may seem like a lot, but the team at Dailies has compiled a list of the required steps!

•   A Notice of Intent is required to be filed annually with a school district in the state of Colorado. It must be filed 14 days prior to starting the home education program and should include:
  •         the student(s) name and age
  •         the student(s) address
  •         the number of hours of attendance
  •         the parent’s signature
• The student’s teacher should be either a parent, relative, or other guardian who has been named by the parents of the enrolled child as the designated teacher.
• Colorado law requires compulsory attendance in an educational program starting at age 6. The Notice of Intent must be filed with a school district no later than August 1 of each year, but the education of your child does not have to begin until age 7. Once the student is aged 16, you are no longer required to file an annual Notice of Intent.
• Legal attendance requirements require documentation of all educational hours. To qualify for the legal amount of time required, a student must record a minimum of 172 days, with an average of 4 hours per day.
• The parent must keep thorough records of attendance, assessment data, and immunization records and show them to the school district annually. You may choose to opt out of vaccinations, but this should be specified in your Notice of Intent with an explanation as to why you are opting out.
• Home-educated students must either sit standardized tests at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades OR be evaluated by a qualified person within the state of Colorado. A qualified person in Colorado is defined as a licensed teacher, a teacher employed at a school district within Colorado, a licensed psychologist, or someone who has obtained a graduate degree in education.
• There is no single curriculum homeschool families are required to follow, nor does Colorado have designated graduation requirements. It is not uncommon for students to complete more than one grade within a calendar year. However, there are several subjects that are required to be taught, but it is up to the parent and educator’s discretion how best to teach the subjects. They are as follows:
  •   Communication
  •   Math
  •   History
  •   Civics
  •   Literature
  •   Science
  •   The Constitution of the United States

Once you feel that your student has mastered the subject levels, you graduate them! This means that you sign their diploma as well! A link for the diploma form can be found here.

• Homeschooled students are allowed to join an extracurricular organization through the district where their parents filed the Notice of Intent. They may also opt to take part-time classes within the district. However, it should be noted that the district may require new paperwork to be filed and an immunization record to be provided.

Option 2: Independent (Umbrella) School

Now that we have a checklist for the first option in homeschooling in Colorado, let’s look at other avenues that are open to families. Independent schools within the state can serve as an “umbrella” for families who choose to homeschool. The perks for selecting this option are that you are NOT required to complete an annual Notice of Intent with a district. Instead, you choose an independent school that works best for your family and report directly to them.

Option 3: Colorado Teaching License

Another option open to families is for one of the parents or guardians to obtain and retain a teaching license within the state. Through this option, you have control over your student’s education. You are not required to file a Notice of Intent with anyone, and you do not have to enroll them with an independent school.

Homeschooling Support Resources in Colorado

Colorado is a very homeschool-friendly state. They have a myriad of options when choosing a network and support group for your family. Check online for co-ops that meet within your area to coordinate supplemental learning opportunities and support systems for your student!

Conclusion

The option of homeschooling children has become increasingly popular over the last several years. Colorado offers many flexible and obtainable options that can work for any family! At Dailies, we are here to support you in any way that you need. Visit our website for more information on the classes on offer and how you can get your first class free!