Starting a Private School in Colorado
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Colorado. Enjoy!
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Starting a School Guide
See what else you need to know about starting a private school. From your curriculum to your marketing, and everything in-between.
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Colorado State Regulations
General Regulations
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Accreditation in the state of Colorado is optional, but all schools are required to have a business license from the Colorado Secretary of State’s office to operate.
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The Colorado Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Colorado
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Colorado requires home schooling be completed by families and a qualified person must conduct an evaluation of student progress, or students must take standardized tests to prove sufficient academic progress is being made.
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The Colorado DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Colorado does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
The state requires that nonpublic schools provide regular instruction in communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking, mathematics, history, civics, literature, and science. Students must also be educated in proper respect of the flag, and the US Constitution.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Teacher certification is optional for nonpublic schools.
Food Services / Lunch
In Colorado, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
In order to meet the state’s compulsory school attendance law, students must attend school for a minimum of 172 days per year.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Schools must provide, when requested, name, age, place of residence, and number of days of attendance of all children of school age, during the preceding month, who attended the school. Schools are also required to maintain immunization records for students.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Transportation
There are no policies in place regarding transportation.
Testing
Nonpublic schools are not required to administer standardized tests, but can choose to, at their own expense.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters

Colorado State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Association of Colorado Independent Schools: a non-profit organization dedicated to the continuous improvement of member schools by providing accreditation, professional development, and advocacy services.
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Colorado Association of Private Schools: Its primary mission is to preserve the independence of Colorado’s private schools and to uphold parental choice in education.
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Government Websites
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Guide Quick-Nav

Introduction
We’ve developed these 10 topics to help you along the way. Take them all in at once, or start with the areas most relevant right now.

School Identity
There’s plenty you can do to develop your own brand, starting right from your personal ideals and goals for your school.

Curriculum
Our curriculum pages include ideas on where to go to find materials, and different associations and educational models you may want to consider.

Legal & Operating Requirements
You need to know the requirements at both the federal level and for your state. Here are the basic details for every state.

Funding & Finance
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.

Business Plan & Budget
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.

Facilities
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.

Staffing
How can you find and recruit the right talent for your school? What qualifications or certifications are required?

Policies & Procedures
Thinking about more than just a student handbook and conduct code, we've included recommendations & templates to help you develop your school policies & procedures

Marketing & Online Presence
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.

Associations
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.