Homeschool in Colorado

Homeschooling is considered non-public education and is not accredited by CDE or by a local school district. CDE cannot receive letters of intent or help with homeschool set-up or planning. Please send letters of intent to a school district.​​​​​​​

The parent or legal guardian who oversees a homeschool program is responsible for selecting books, supplies, tests, and curriculum, as well as covering any associated costs. A student completing a homeschool program is different than a student enrolled in an online school or a public school that allows a student to complete their education at home.

Several external organizations support homeschool families statewide. 

View the full list of resources (XLSX)

Families, or those supporting families, are responsible for reviewing and interpreting homeschool statute and should contact their chosen school district with any questions related to homeschool, including, but not limited to, services for Special Populations, participation in sports or extracurricular activities, and requirements for attendance, assessments, or curriculum.

Colorado law states that homeschooling must include, but are not limited to, the subjects of communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, science, and regular courses of instruction in the constitution of the United States. Homeschool students must receive no less than 172 days of instruction, averaging 4 contact hours per day.  The selection of curriculum is at the discretion of the parent who is overseeing the homeschooling.

Records for each child participating in homeschool must be kept on a permanent basis by the parent who is overseeing the education. 

• The records must include, but are not limited to, attendance, test and evaluation results, and immunization records as required by C.R.S sections 25-4-901, 25-4-902, and 25-4-903. 
• The records must be produced and provided to the school district that received the written notification, not the state of Colorado, at the school district’s request.
• Records verification requests (including transcripts and diplomas) must go to the parent who oversees the homeschooling, or to the district the family filed the letter of intent with. 
• CDE does not receive or house any records related to homeschool.

Students that are participating in homeschooling must have academic progress evaluated in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. CDE is not able to advise on the selection of assessments and there is not a list of allowable assessments. Please contact the school district with which your letter of intent is filed for further questions.

• Students are not required to take the state standardized test, but can take a nationally standardized achievement test or a qualified person, as described in C.R.S. 22-33-104.5(3)(f), can be selected by the parent to evaluate the student’s academic progress. 
• According to homeschool law, the assessments that homeschool students must take are either a nationally standardized achievement test or an evaluation of academic progress administered by a qualified person that the parent selects. 
  • A qualified person is someone who has a Colorado teacher license, is a teacher in an independent or parochial school, is a licensed psychologist, or has a master’s degree in education.
  • The parent works with the qualified person to determine what the evaluation of academic progress would be for the student. Local homeschool support groups may also have more information on what those evaluations of academic progress could be. 
  • The test or evaluation results, whichever is appropriate, shall be submitted to the school district where the letter of intent was filed. 

Additional Homeschool Information

The links below include a copy of Colorado Homeschool Law, how to get started homeschooling your student, and a resources link to home school organizations that provide information on networking, support groups, curricula, and testing.

• FAQs Regarding Homeschool

• Laws Pertaining to Homeschool