How to Withdraw from Public School
Simple overview on how to withdraw from your public school:
- Decide which of the three legal ways you are going to homeschool
- Contact your public school
- Follow the laws/policies of the way you decide to home educate your child/children
Sounds easy right? It really isn’t hard or complicated but you need to do your part and read the laws to understand what your options are to legally educate your children at home.
BEFORE you withdraw you need to decide which of the three legal ways you want to homeschool.
Start by reviewing the three ways to homeschool in Colorado to learn what options are available to you. For an easy to follow with a more detailed explanation of the Colorado Homeschool Laws go here! Here is a quick summary:
- Home-based education law requires you to file a notice of intent (NOI) (here is a sample) with any school district (district office, not a specific school office) in the state of Colorado 14 days prior to starting the home-based education program AND follow all the policies this option requires. There is more to the homeschool law than “just filing an NOI”.
- Enroll in an independent (umbrella) school, receive your enrollment confirmation letter, then follow your independent school policies.
- We loved this option so much, we created our very own – the CHEC Independent School, offering homeschool families across the state security, privacy, and flexibility. Just for fun we added some great perks for the enrolled families.
- Obtain/maintain a current Colorado teacher’s license. You do not have to follow the home-based education law nor file a NOI. Under CRS 22-33-104 (2)(b)(i)(I), you can teach your child at home.
How to withdraw from your public school
The steps you will follow will be based on the way/what laws you are following for your homeschool (home-based education law, enrollment in an independent school, or being a licensed Colorado teacher).
Now that you have decided which way you are going to homeschool, here are step by step instructions to follow. Click on your desired way to homeschool in Colorado and follow the steps laid out.
Option #1
Home-based education law
Option #2
Independent (umbrella) School
Option #3
Colorado teachers license
Home-Based Education Law
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- File your notice of intent to homeschool (NOI) with a school district of your choice (If you have not yet), (here is a sample).
- Contact the public school your child/children are enrolled in and inform them that you are withdrawing your child/children from the public school and that you have filed your NOI with xyz school district and you are following the home-based education law.
- If your school wants you to fill out their paperwork for withdrawal, that is fine, but be sure to fill it out correctly. Indicate that you will be homeschooling and if they ask, state the district where you filed your NOI.
- Now follow all the policies this option requires.
Independent (Umbrella) School
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- Find an independent school that is a good fit for your family and enroll with them. Colorado has many to choose from which all have different policies you must follow. CHEC offers an independent school that we think you will love!
- After you receive your confirmation letter from your independent/private school, contact your child/children’s public school and inform them that you have transferred to an independent/private school (DO NOT use the word “homeschool” as you are technically a private schooler under this option) and are withdrawing your child/children from the public school. Then send them a copy of your enrollment confirmation. Additionally, if your independent school provides a request for records, send your public school that request.
- If your school wants you to fill out their paperwork for withdrawal, that is fine, but be sure to fill it out correctly. You should indicate that you are enrolled in (name of your independent school/private school); and if requested, provide the phone number and mailing address of the independent school.
- Now follow your independent school policies.
Colorado Teachers License
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- Inform your child’s public school that you have a current Colorado teacher’s license and are withdrawing your child/children from the public school.
- If your school wants you to fill out their paperwork for withdrawal, that is fine, but be sure to fill it out correctly. Most school withdrawal documents do not have an option to indicate that you have a current Colorado teacher’s license, so you would have to write that in as your reason for withdrawing and that you will be teaching your child at home. You do not have to follow the home-based education law or file an NOI under this legal option.
That’s it! Hopefully this all makes sense, if you have any questions please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.