Homeschool FAQ

Yay – that’s why we’re here! Visit this page for everything you need to know.

Yes! There are several different ways to structure your homeschool under Colorado Law. Learn more here.

Notice of Intent

Filing a NOI with a Colorado school district? Here are the basic requirements:

• Attendance: Students must be educated for 172 a year, 4 hours a day, and attendance records must be kept by the parent.
• Assessments: Students must be either tested in 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades or evaluated by a qualified person (learn more about this option here).
• Record Submission: Assessment records must be either submitted to the school district where you filed your NOI or an independent school that holds test records (for example, the CHEC Independent School).
• Record Storage: Keep in mind that parents are required to keep at minimum records of immunization, attendance, and assessments on a permanent basis.

The CHEC Independent School

If you’re part of the CHEC Independent School, here’s an overview of what records you need to keep. (Part of another Independent School? Make sure to check with them for their requirements.)

• Attendance: Students must be educated for 172 days a year (no hourly minimum) and records submitted by August 31st of each school year (learn more here).
• Assessments: Students grades 3 and up must be assessed in each odd school year. You may either test, complete a Parental Evaluation, or have them evaluated by a qualified person (learn more about the options here).

Colorado Certified Teachers

If you’re have a current Colorado teacher’s license, good news! There are no requirements for homeschooling. However, we do recommend you keep records for your own benefit.

Following Homeschool Law by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI)?

Once your child reaches age 6 by August 1st (and until they turn 16), you must submit an NOI annually. (However, you are not required to begin teaching until age 7.)

Enrolled in an Independent School?

When your child reaches age 6 by August 1st (and until they turn 17), they must be enrolled in an Independent School and be following its policies.

Check out this handy breakout here to learn more about the difference between the Homeschool Law and Independent School options.

Well – we can’t tell you that. But we can give you some places to find the right curriculum for your family.  Attend our annual Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference and browse the huge Exhibit Hall.  Or attend a Homeschool Introductory Seminar and browse through available curriculum.  You can also check out a list of various curriculum options here.

View the latest research on homeschooling in Colorado and beyond here.

Christian Home Educators of Colorado is a state-wide organization that motivates parents to disciple the next generation of Christians by providing information, leadership, and resources.

CHEC was founded in 1990 and we serve Colorado homeschoolers through our annual conference, introductory seminars, informative website (you’re here!), an office staff available for support, and other events. Learn more about our vision and mission and find out how far we’ve come.

Good question. We’ve broken it out for you here.

If I enroll in a Colorado-based Independent School, then do I still need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI)?

The answer is no! You should not file a NOI as your students are considered private school students and are under the Colorado non-public school law. (Instead, you will send your records to the Independent School.) You can find more information about this option here.

If I’m following the Homeschool Law and submit my NOI, when is the deadline?

Under the Colorado Homeschool Law, you are required to submit a NOI to a Colorado school district (any one in the state) 14 days prior to starting the home education program. For more information and to view a sample NOI, click here.

Learn more about the difference between the Independent School and Homeschool Law here.

You can do it! We’ve got all kinds of resources for you here, plus we offer a High School & Beyond Seminar to equip you for the high school years.

Click here to view our page on Colorado Vaccine Law & Homeschooling.

Yes; if your student is participating in a public or private school (even for just a part-time program), they may require immunizations or records. Click here to view our page on Colorado Vaccine Law & Homeschooling.

Nope! The only requirement if you are homeschooling under Colorado's homeschool law is that you educate your child for 172 days each year at an average of 4 hours per day. This does total 688 hours ... but it must be spread within 172 days or you won't hit that average. (You cannot do 200 days with a less than 4-hour average.) So, don't worry about the 688 number — just focus on the 172 days and 4 hour average and you'll be all set. Click here to learn more about Colorado homeschool law.

If you are enrolled in the CHEC Independent School, you are required to educate your children for 172 days each year — but no hourly average is required. Click here to learn more.

Check out our homeschool groups directory to find homeschoolers in your region, and get connected with activities, field trips, parent gatherings, and more.  Check out these activities and programs geared towards homeschooled students. And volunteering with CHEC is a great way to meet likeminded families.

View the requirements to graduate from high school on our Colorado Law breakout.

Yes! Check out our Struggling Learner Support page.

Join the Colorado Homeschool Freedom team.

Public School Classes:

• If you file a Notice of Intent, the home-based education law allows for part-time public school attendance in the district where you filed your NOI. Check with your public school for more information.
• If you are enrolled in an Independent School, you should contact your school of residence to see if they allow private schooled students to take classes on a part-time basis.

Extracurricular activities: These are non-academic activities like Chess Club.

• If you file a Notice of Intent, public schools must allow your student to participate. They can charge up to 150% of any fees collected in association with these activities.
• If you are enrolled in an Independent School, you should contact your school of residence to see if they allow private schooled students to take participate in Extracurricular activities.

Interscholastic activities: These activities are competitions between schools, like the debate team or sports on the elementary/middle school level.

• If you file a Notice of Intent, public schools must allow your student to participate. They can charge up to 150% of any fees collected in association with these activities.

Sports: CHSSA governs high school sports and they have stated:

• If you file a Notice of Intent, your student may play for the district where you file. (The district can require athletic fees and insurance, etc and can decide which school within the district you participate with.)
• If you are enrolled in an Independent School, your student can play for their school of residence (district authorities can determine which high school within that district) or their school of “attendance” (the district where the independent school is located).

Please review the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 for all the rules pertaining to youth working in Colorado, including the number of hours allowed, work hour limitations and the types of jobs permitted by age. This Act does not require work permits, but it does require school release permits for students under the age of 16.

• If a homeschool student is educated under the homeschool law, we believe this School Release Permit (click here to download) will suffice. In this case, as a homeschool family, the parent would be acting in the place of the school administrator and therefore would be able to sign the form.
• If a homeschool student is enrolled in an independent school (under the Non-Public School Law), parents should contact the independent school for their release form.

Here are a few options:

• CHEC Independent School: ID cards are a free benefit for CHEC Independent School members!
• HSLDA: $9.99 per card. HSLDA members may order here.
• Academic Excellence: $5 per card. Order here.]
• Homeschool Buyers Co-op: Not-laminated is free. Laminated is $7.95. Order here.

Requirements differ based on which Colorado law you’re following for homeschooling.

• If you’re under the Homeschool Law, learn more about your testing options here.
•  If you follow the Non-Public School Law(enrolled in a private/independent school that lets you teach your children at home), check with your school for their testing requirements.
• If you’re with the CHEC Independent School, check out our policies.

Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably to refer to evaluating a student’s academic progress.  However, each term actually refers to specific options:

• Testing = the use of a nationally standardized test.  Different tests are acceptable depending on whether you follow the Homeschool Law or are enrolled in an independent school.
• Evaluation = may be either a professional academic evaluation (by a qualified person) or a parent evaluation (a unique option offered to members of the CHEC Independent School).
• Assessment = the term used by the CHEC Independent School that includes both testing and evaluation options.

For more information, check the laws or policies you’re required to follow:

• The Homeschool Law
• Or your independent school under Non-Public School Law, including the CHEC Independent School

If you are homeschooling under Colorado's homeschool law, you must assess your student at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11; click here to learn more about Colorado homeschool testing.

If you are enrolled in the CHEC Independent School, you must assess during assessment years for students who have reached the age of a typical 3rd grader (as explained on the enrollment application). Click here to learn more.