Colorado Charter Schools

The Schools of Choice unit at CDE and The Colorado League of Charter Schools have collaborated and aligned on the decision to have the League apply for and, if awarded, manage the Charter Schools Program State Entities Grant for Colorado. As a result, CDE’s management of the Colorado Charter School Program will end on September 30, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact soc@cde.state.co.us or visit our transition webpage for more information. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work together for a smooth transition.

About

The Charter School Office serves as the vital nexus connecting charter schools, charter authorizers, education stakeholders, and the public with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The office is one of two offices under the Schools of Choice (SOC) Unit and exists to serve families and support internal and external stakeholders who provide innovative, high-quality school choice options to students in Colorado that increase opportunity, access, and inclusion.

The Charter School Office is a key point in connecting state and federal policy to Colorado charter schools. It aggregates state data collections to author legislative reports and stands ready to address a myriad of policy inquiries. Moreover, it manages the statutory waiver process for all charter schools statewide, maintaining records on all contracts, contract terms, and waivers approved by the Colorado State Board of Education.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Office Staff Contact

What are Charter Schools?

Charter schools are tuition-free, public schools that have the flexibility to be innovative, entrepreneurial, self-governing, and yet are held accountable for student and operational performance. Open to all students, each of these independent public schools is different, increasing the variety of high-quality school choices available across Colorado.

From core knowledge, classical and early college curriculums to Montessori, language immersion and more, charter schools allow families to select the school that best fits their child's unique learning style. In exchange for operational freedom and flexibility, charters are subject to higher levels of accountability.

News & Updates

Calling all Charter School Leaders

Use this form to update your current contacts at your charter school for the 2024-25 school year.
CDE would like feedback to ensure our Multilingual Learners (MLLs) are receiving the best possible supports. Your responses will help inform technical support and professional development opportunities for the 2024-25 school year. You can complete this survey here.

Cultural Exchange for Bilingual Educators

Apply by Friday, August 30th to participate in an educational and cultural exchange to Nayarit, Mexico, Oct.19-26. We invite bilingual educators of all grades to engage in cross-cultural education, learn about the Mexican school system, and build capacity for supporting migrant and binational students and families in Colorado. For more information visit the Binational Initiative webpage or contact Kirk Quitter at quitter_k@cde.state.co.us.

CDE Grant Opportunity for Aspiring Educators

The Educator Recruitment and Retention (ERR) program was designed to help fill critical teaching shortage areas by providing an incentive for aspiring teachers to work in high-shortage areas, including special education, math, science, early childhood education, and schools in rural areas. The ERR program is one of several programs available for aspiring educators in the state of Colorado. Applications for the ERR program are open through Sept. 30. Eligibility requirements and application information are available on the CDE website.

State Board of Education invites public comments on transportation rulemaking

Proposed technical changes would ensure the rules (1 CCR 301-25 and 1 CCR 301-26) reflect federal regulations, state statutes, and best practices for safe transportation of students. The board welcomes public comment at its August meeting; find more information about the meeting and public comment on our website

Colorado Charter School Program

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Resources and Past Trainings

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Charter School Authorizers

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Opening New Schools

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Parent's Corner

More Information Coming Soon

Data and Publications

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Please note: We are currently updating our website for improved accessibility and navigation and as a result, some links may be broken and resources unavailable. Please email soc@cde.state.co.us if you come across a broken link or needed resource. Thank you for your patience.