What about Accreditation?
Have you wondered if you need to enroll your children in an accredited school in order to legally homeschool in the state of Colorado under the “umbrella school” option?
You are not alone, many parents wonder the same thing.
The answer is no!
- You do not need to be enrolled in an accredited private school in order to educate your children at home. Of course, a family certainly can enroll in an accredited school (that is located in Colorado*) but it is not required.
- For families that choose to enroll in an Independent (Umbrella) School, like the CHEC Independent School, the Independent (Umbrella) School does not need to be accredited to be a legal option for your home based education plan.
*Please note – If a family chooses to enroll in an accredited school outside of Colorado they will still need to file a notice of intent with a Colorado School District or enroll in an “umbrella school” like the CHEC Independent School.
What about accredited curriculum? Is that required?
- There is no such thing as accredited curriculum. Curriculum can not be accredited by an accrediting agency, only schools can be accredited. Therefore, obtaining “accredited” curriculum is not only not necessary, but impossible to do.
The US Department of Education says this about private schools in Colorado:
Private Schools
Accreditation, Registration, Licensing, and Approval
- Accreditation is optional.
- The Colorado State Board of Education does not require private schools to acquire accreditation, but allows private schools to voluntarily choose to seek accreditation from a private agency.
- The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides contact information for some accrediting agencies as a courtesy to those interested in private schools; however, it does not endorse any particular group or organization.
While the CHEC Independent School is not an accredited school, our students do not have trouble getting into college as long as they meet that college’s entrance requirements.
Colorado homeschool law provides three different options to home educate your children. Consider which one works best for your family.
Here’s a quick run-down of all three options to homeschool in Colorado:
- Home-Based Education Program – You are required to provide written notification of the establishment of a home-based education program (notice of intent) with a Colorado school district 14 days prior to beginning.
- Independent (Umbrella) School – Under the Colorado Non-Public School Law, you can enroll with a Colorado-based independent school (as an “umbrella” school) and follow that school’s requirements. You are NOT REQUIRED to file a Notice of Intent with a school district. Learn more about the security, privacy, flexibility, and enrollment perks that come with your families enrollment in the CHEC Independent School.
- Colorado teaching license – Obtain and maintain a certified Colorado teaching license. (No reporting or testing requirements exist for a parent holding a current Colorado teaching license [according to CRS 22-33-104 (2)(b)(i)(I)].)
