Colorado Non-Public Schools
The term "non-public school" applies to private, parochial, and independent schools which provide education to children of compulsory school age. Neither the State Board of Education nor any local board of education has jurisdiction over the internal affairs of any non-state independent or parochial school in Colorado.
A child in Colorado who has attained the age of six years on or before August 1 of each year and is under the age of seventeen years shall attend public school; shall attend an independent or parochial school which provides a basic academic education, or shall be instructed at home.
- Information on Starting a Business - Private, independent and non-public
schools are considered to be small businesses in the state of Colorado. Click on the link for information on contacting
the Secretary of State's Office and the Colorado Small Business Development Network.
- Legal Requirements - Click on the link for requirements that must be met such health standards and compulsory school attendance.
- CAPE - The Council for American Private Education site provides information on legislative issues and policy regarding private schools, as well as publications, studies and other resources.
- No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 - This site outlines the federal programs, services and benefits available to eligible children and employees of private elementary and secondary schools in Colorado.
- Colorado Private Schools Resources - Provides access to agencies that provide accreditation, private school directories, and organizations that will search for private schools.
Colorado Non-Public Educational Statistics
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accredits its school districts and gives them the authority to accredit public schools located within their boundaries. Since Colorado is an educational choice state, the following directory is provided strictly as an informational service to those interested in private, parochial or independent schools, and does not indicate a school is "registered" with the CDE. The CDE does not endorse or accredit any private school. In addition, the directory is not exhaustive; only private school administrators who requested to have their school posted on the CDE Web site are on the list.
Related Information
Non-Public Schools
http://www.privateschoolreview.com
Private School Review-offering free, detailed information
on US private schools combined with useful community data
(e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.
Information on a specific non-public school should be obtained from the school directly.
Private Vocational Schools
For information about private vocational schools such as art schools, business colleges and trade schools, contact the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS), 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303-866-2723, or visit the Division of Private Occupational Schools Web site.
The State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) only accredits community colleges and public area vocational schools. Contact the SBCCOE at 9101 E. Lowry Boulevard, Denver, CO 80230, Phone: 303-595-1552, or visit the Web site at CCCS State Board.
Nursery, Pre-School and Day Care Centers
To obtain licensing and other information on nursery, pre-school or school-age child day care or child care programs, contact the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, at 1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203, Phone: 303-866-5700 or 1-800-799-5876 statewide. Or click the link to visit the Division of Child Care home page.