Homeschooling & Homeschool Enrichment in Colorado

Colorado families have more educational options than ever and homeschooling is an important part of that landscape.

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling allows parents to take the lead in their child’s education—choosing curriculum, setting schedules, and tailoring learning to meet individual needs. Colorado law provides a framework that ensures accountability while preserving flexibility for families.

Families choose homeschooling for many reasons, including personalized learning, flexibility, and the ability to better support students with unique needs.

What are Homeschool Enrichment Programs?

Homeschool enrichment programs (HSE) are a vital bridge between homeschooling and public education.

These part-time programs allow homeschool students to access:

• Hands-on learning like science labs and career training

• Electives such as fine arts

• Academic support and accountability

• Opportunities to build peer connections

  
  

Developed in response to local community needs these programs expand access to meaningful educational opportunities while keeping families connected to public education.

Who Offers These Programs?

In Colorado, homeschool enrichment programs are offered through:

• BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services)

• Public school districts

• Charter schools

  
  

This flexible model allows communities to meet students where they are.

Charter Schools & Homeschool Enrichment

Charter schools are uniquely positioned to expand innovative, flexible learning opportunities within Colorado’s public education system—including homeschool enrichment programming.

As public schools with increased autonomy, charter schools can design programs that respond directly to student and family needs. For some charter schools, this includes offering part-time enrichment opportunities that complement a student’s primary learning environment at home.

From the charter school perspective, these programs:

• Extend the reach of public education to families seeking non-traditional models

• Allow for the development of specialized programs, including STEM, career pathways, and arts education

• Create new ways to engage students who may not thrive in full-time, traditional settings

• Support innovation while maintaining public accountability and performance standards

  
  

Charter schools may operate these programs independently or in partnership with districts and BOCES, depending on their authorizer and structure. This flexibility enables charter leaders to design models that reflect local priorities while remaining aligned with state requirements.

Importantly, participation in these programs remains part-time and voluntary, ensuring that charter schools can serve as a resource to families without replacing the role of the parent in a homeschool setting.

Why Enrichment Programs Matter

Demand for flexible, part-time education options is growing across Colorado, with homeschool participation rising significantly in recent years.

Homeschool enrichment programs:

• Support families seeking flexible learning environments

• Expand access to courses and resources

• Keep students engaged in public education

• Provide cost-effective, community-based solutions

  
  

What Colorado Parents Are Saying

“Programs like this are doing something the workforce cannot afford to lose, and traditional schools cannot do at scale. Only two welders enter the career pipeline for every five who retire. They are not just serving individual families; they are building the Colorado workforce...”— Eric E., Homeschool Parent

“These programs offer us a small portion of our taxpayer funds to benefit our children. These kinds of programs have allowed our children with special needs and learning disabilities to learn in environments and with experiences that cater to their specific needs.”— Amanda L., Foster Parent

“My child has access to hands-on science labs, consistent academic accountability, and — perhaps most importantly — a community of peers. These are not luxuries. For many homeschool families, they are the bridge that makes a quality education possible.”— Brooke S., Homeschool Parent

The Bottom Line

At the Education Alliance of Colorado, we believe families deserve access to flexible, high-quality education options.

Homeschooling and homeschool enrichment programs are key parts of that ecosystem—helping ensure students across Colorado can learn, grow, and thrive in ways that work best.