Homeschooling is one of the fastest-growing educational options in Colorado, with more and more families choosing to teach their children at home each year. According to the Colorado Department of Education, the number of homeschooled students in the state increased by nearly 5%, close to 10,000 students, during the 2024-2025 school year.
These numbers show what many Colorado parents already know: homeschooling offers a safe, flexible, and effective alternative to traditional classroom education. At Bridgeway Academy, we work with hundreds of homeschooling families who cite mounting concerns about safety, educational quality, and peer pressure as key reasons to choose homeschooling.
If you’re considering homeschooling—or planning a move to Colorado—it’s important to understand Colorado’s homeschool laws and regulations. Colorado parents have three legal pathways to homeschooling their children. In this guide, we explore each option, outline attendance and curriculum requirements, and help you find the best approach for your family.
Three Pathways to Legally Homeschool in Colorado
Colorado is considered a homeschool-friendly state, with relatively low regulation and three flexible options for homeschooling families:
- Home-Based Education Program with Notice of Intent
- Independent or “Umbrella” School Enrollment
- Homeschooling with a Colorado-Licensed Teacher
Each of these homeschool pathways has its own benefits, responsibilities, and level of support. We explore each option in detail below.
Home-Based Education Program with Notice of Intent
Home-based education programs are often considered the most traditional option for homeschooling families. With this pathway, parents take on full responsibility for their child’s education, from curriculum selection and instruction to record-keeping.
To homeschool your child with a home-based education program in Colorado, you must:
- File a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your school district in Colorado. The NOI alerts the district that you plan to homeschool your child.
- Meet attendance requirements, with 172 days of instruction per year and 4 hours of learning each day.
- Assess your child’s learning progress. Students in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 must complete a nationally standardized test or be evaluated by a qualified professional.
- Keep complete records of your child’s attendance, test scores, and immunizations.
- Cover required subjects. Colorado law requires instruction in:
- Language arts (reading, writing, and speaking)
- Mathematics
- History
- Civics
- Literature
- Science
- The US Constitution
While a home-based education program may be parent-led, that doesn’t mean going it alone. Bridgeway Academy offers accredited homeschool curriculum, guidance, and support that align with Colorado requirements while giving families the flexibility to explore personalized learning paths for their children.
Independent or “Umbrella” School Enrollment
Homeschooling families in Colorado may also choose to enroll their child in an independent school, often called an umbrella school, as a pathway to homeschooling. In this model, the umbrella school—not the parent—handles the administrative oversight for your child’s education.
Some of the benefits of an umbrella school include:
- Recordkeeping and transcript support
- Clear enrollment and assessment guidelines
- Administrative compliance with state requirements
Parents who use an umbrella school do not need to file an NOI with the school district, and children are not required to go to the school, though the same 172-day instruction requirements still apply.
While families must follow the school’s policies, each enrolled family still has the freedom to choose their child’s homeschool curriculum. Some schools also offer academic oversight and support, but these services vary. It’s important to thoroughly research all your options.
Homeschooling with a Colorado-Licensed Teacher
For children being taught by a Colorado-licensed teacher—whether that’s a parent or another instructor—the process to homeschool is even simpler.
No Notice of Intent is required, and there are no reporting or testing requirements. The licensed teacher takes on full responsibility for the child’s academics, instruction, and administrative oversight.
Speak with a Bridgeway Academy Homeschool Advisor. Call: (800) 863-1474 or contact us online.
Attendance, Curriculum & Testing Requirements
While Colorado is considered a homeschool-friendly state with flexible homeschool options, all students and their families must meet certain requirements. This helps to ensure that every child is, in fact, learning from home and progressing through their education.
Attendance
Colorado homeschool students are required to learn for a minimum of four hours per day, 172 days per year. This requirement applies to all homeschooling pathways, whether you choose traditional homeschooling, an umbrella school, or instruction from a licensed teacher.
Required Homeschool Curriculum
Eight subjects are required to be a part of every Colorado child’s homeschool curriculum, including:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
- History
- Civics
- Literature
- Science
- The U.S. Constitution
Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs are built to meet these requirements while providing academic flexibility and family support.
Testing
Colorado homeschool students are exempt from state standardized testing. However, in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, students enrolled in a home-based education program will need to complete some form of an assessment to check in on their academic progress.
Students may complete a nationally standardized exam or have their learning evaluated by an educational professional to meet this requirement.
Comparing Accredited Homeschool Programs to Umbrella Schools and Parent-Only
Choosing an accredited homeschool program is one of the best ways to ensure a high-quality education for homeschooled children in Colorado. Bridgeway’s programs offer Colorado families expert-crafted and highly flexible curriculum options, academic support services, legal compliance, structured flexibility, and opportunities to connect with other homeschooling families in the community.
Together, these benefits make Bridgeway Academy a leading homeschool provider in Colorado. Below, we compare the benefits of Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs to those offered by umbrella schools and parent-only homeschooling.
| Feature / Requirement | Bridgeway Academy (Accredited Homeschool Program) | Umbrella School | Parent-Only Homeschooling
(Notice of Intent) |
| Accreditation | Fully accredited, meets national standards | Varies by umbrella school (not always accredited) | Not accredited; parent assumes responsibility |
| Compliance Support | Bridgeway handles records, transcripts, and reporting | School may set rules, but parents still responsible for records | Parent responsible for filing NOI, keeping records, and ensuring compliance |
| Curriculum | Structured, customizable, and aligned with standards | Varies; some provide curriculum, others require parents to choose | Parent chooses and implements curriculum |
| Teacher/Advisor Support | Access to certified teachers, academic advisors, and support staff | Minimal or varies; usually administrative oversight only | None; parent provides or arranges all teaching |
| Testing and Evaluation | Guidance on required assessments and Bridgeway’s support with documentation | Parent usually responsible; some umbrellas may assist | Parent responsible for arranging tests or evaluations |
| Recordkeeping | Bridgeway maintains transcripts, grades, and portfolios | May offer limited tracking support | Parent must maintain records for each student |
| Flexibility | High; offers a mix of structured program and family customization | Depends on umbrella school policies | Maximum flexibility but requires most parent work |
| Recognition | Accredited transcripts recognized nationwide (colleges, scholarships, NCAA) | Recognition depends on school; often less formal | Depends on parent’s documentation; may be questioned by colleges |
| Cost | Tuition-based, includes curriculum, support, and accreditation | Fees vary (administrative costs, sometimes curriculum) | Lowest direct cost (mainly curriculum and testing expenses) |
How to Get Started Homeschooling in Colorado
Ready to learn more about homeschooling in Colorado? Bridgeway Academy makes the process easy. You can watch a virtual open house on demand or reach out directly to speak with an academic advisor.
Our goal is to help families feel confident, supported, and fully equipped to provide a high-quality education at home in Colorado. Bridgeway’s team of experts can help guide you through the process of filing an NOI and selecting the right program for your child’s educational needs.
Contact Bridgeway Academy today.
Common Questions Colorado Parents Ask About Homeschooling
As a leading homeschool service provider in Colorado, we speak with many parents about the concerns and challenges they’re facing. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from parents.
Does Colorado give money for homeschooling?
No. Colorado does not provide any financial support for homeschooling families. Colorado parents are responsible for the full cost of their child’s at-home education, including curriculum, educational materials, qualified evaluations, and more.
Do I need a teaching credential to homeschool in Colorado?
Teach credentials are not required for Colorado parents providing instruction to their children through a home-based or umbrella school program. A teaching license is only needed if you choose the “licensed teacher” option.
How flexible is recordkeeping?
Colorado requires that parents keep thorough records of their child’s education, from attendance and test scores to immunizations. Bridgeway helps manage these requirements so families can focus on their child’s education.
Helpful Links
- Colorado Homeschool Laws
- Accredited Homeschool Programs
- Online Homeschool Classes
- Pre K Homeschool Programs
- Online Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
- Elementary Homeschool Programs
- Online Middle School Programs
- High School Home School Programs
The post How to Homeschool in Colorado: Laws, Requirements, and a Complete Guide appeared first on Bridgeway Academy.
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