Homeschooling in Colorado

If you live in Colorado, and decide to homeschool, there are several things of which you need to be aware. You need to purchase materials, provide notice to the school district and know what you are required to teach by law.

Avoid Truancy
As a homeschooler in Colorado, you will be required to notify your school district within 14 days of beginning homeschooling and the beginning of every school year that you continue. If you fail to notify the school district of your plans to homeschool, it is likely that your child will be considered truant.

Find teaching materials:
You can use any teaching materials that meet the minimum educational standards for Colorado. You can find information on curriculum from other homeschoolers, and online.

Homeschool requirements:
• Parents, guardians or relatives may homeschool the child. (You may hire tutors if need be). There are no minimum educational standards that the parent must meet.

• You must homeschool for at least 172 per year and at least 4 hours per day. Of course, many homeschoolers will exceed these minimums.

• You must at least teach your child reading, writing, speaking, math, history, civics, literature, science, and United States history, including the Constitution. You may add any other subjects you desire in addition to these requirements.

• You must keep attendance data, test evaluation and immunization information. This information is for your own records. You never know when or if you may need to prove that your are homeschooling.

• Your child must take formal standardized exams every two years beginning in the third grade at your expense. State exams are available, but you are not guaranteed access to these test.

For more information and support, you can contact the following local companies and organizations, among others
• Colorado Academy of Independent Learners "The Colorado Academy of Independent Learners, a non-public, independent school, is located in Peyton, Colorado, about 20 miles northeast of Colorado Springs."

• Colorado Springs Homeschool Support Group : the Colorado Homeschooler is a statewide resource for homeschoolers in the state of Colorado.

• Homeschool Central has a guide to homeschool resources and services that will help you successfully homeschool your children.

• Christian Home Educators of Colorado : Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) is a non-profit, Christian organization, dedicated to providing information, resources and leadership to all families involved in home-centered education.

• Homeschool Reporting provides a convenient record keeping solution or a non-traditional private school

• Boulder County Home Educators: BCHEA is a community of home educators formed to support both parents and children.