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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Regulations

We’ve curated the laws and regulations about starting a private school in Colorado.

Resources

What resources and associations are available to help new education entrepreneurs?

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

Colorado State

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.
The Colorado Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Colorado
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.
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

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Students enrolled in nonpublic schools must be immunized before enrolling in school, though exemptions (such as religious reasons) apply. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment sanitary standards must be enforced – the local county office should be contacted for inspection or more information. Private and nonpublic school officials have the responsibility of ensuring the buildings used meet local building codes, zoning requirements, and fire safety standards. School officials have the responsibility to check with both the local city and county on these matters.

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.

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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.
- 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.