Application Information

Overview of Online Options

Single District Online Program

A Single District Online Program is a full-time education program that delivers a sequential program of synchronous or asynchronous instruction directed by a teacher and uses online digital learning strategies that provide students choice over time, place, and path, and teacher-guided modality of learning. This is a permanent, long-term option that has been approved through the Office of Blended and Online Learning.

Accountability for students is attributed to a designated school that houses the online program
Limit of 100 student enrollments
Limited to 10 out of district students
An application for recognition is required
Students are funded at district Per Pupil Rate (PPR)
The application window is from January 1, 2021 to June 1, 2021.

Single District Online School

A Single District Online School is a full-time education program that delivers a sequential program of synchronous or asynchronous instruction directed by a teacher and uses online digital learning strategies that provide students choice over time, place, and path, and teacher-guided modality of learning. This is a permanent, long-term option that has been approved through the Office of Blended and Online Learning.

Operates with its own administrator
Has a separate budget
Held to state and federal accountability reporting requirements
Limit of 10 out of district students
No other limitation on student enrollments
Applicants must apply for a school code
An application for recognition is required
Students are funded at district Per Pupil Rate (PPR).
The application window is from January 1, 2021 to June 1, 2021.

Multi-district Online School

A Multi-district online school is one that enrolls students from two or more districts. The authorizer of a multi-district online school must apply for certification based the resources and capacity to oversee the Online School, Quality Standards for online schools, and a plan for operation. The authorizer and school officials must complete the application for certification.

May enroll out of district student without limitations.
Capacity and relationship between authorizer and school must be certified per statute.
Reviewed applications go to the State Board of Education for vote of approval.
Students are funded at the online funding rate, as specified in C.R.S. section 22-54-104 (4.5).
The application window is open from January 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021.

Application for the Certification of Multi-district Online Schools

Legislation and Rule direct the Office of Blended & Online Learning to develop and implement a process for certifying multi-district online schools. Only multi-district online schools and their relationship with the Authorizer must be certified by the Office of Blended & Online Learning .

Certification is not required for a single-district online school or program. Please see below for single district online school or program information.
Certification is not required for supplemental online programs.
Online schools that serve a student population drawn from two or more school districts must apply for certification.

Documents

Applications for Multi-district Certification and Amendments to Certification are accepted January 1, 2021 through April 1, 2021

Application for Single-District Online Programs and Schools

Applications of Recognition will be accepted from January 2, 2021 through June 1, 2021.

Narrative Questions Document-Word (new!)
Single-District School or Program Application for Recognition Smartsheet form (new!)

Application Instructions:

Complete and finalize the narrative questions document first. This will be one of the required attachments on the Smartsheet form.
Fill in the information on the Single District School or Program Application for Recognition Smartsheet form.
- The form is logic-based. When ‘online program’ or ‘online school’ is selected, the definition for each will populate. Please check the box to indicate that the definition has been read.
- Once the definition box has been checked, the online program or school contact information fields will populate.
- Each field is required to be filled out before submission.
- Upload the following documentation into the Smartsheet form:
  - The narrative questions document
  - The proposed schedule
  - The school calendar
  - The bell equivalent schedule or statement
  - The list of courses provided
To receive a copy of your application submission, check the box labeled “Send me a copy of my responses” and enter your email address. Once submitted, you will receive an email from Smartsheet with your application information included.

Important Reminders:

Prior to beginning operations, a proposed program must apply through the Single-District Application (refer to the application instructions above).
Certification is not required for single-district online programs or schools.
Districts that wish to operate a single-district online school must apply for a school code, operate with its own administrator, a separate budget, and a complete instructional program.
An online school is responsible for all state and federal reporting requirements and accountability processes. Any online program with one hundred or more students shall be considered an online school.

Additional Resources

Recorded Webinars

2020 Recorded Webinars:

November 16, 2020 - Multi-district and Single District Application Webinar
July, 15, 2020 - 2020 Student October Count Webinar for Online Schools and Programs
January 29, 2020 - Beyond High School- CDE’s resources to emPoWeR learners webinar
- PDF version of this PowerPoint

2019 Recorded Webinars:

August 29, 2019 - 2019 Student October Count Webinar
August 9, 2019 - Supporting English Learners in Online Schools and Programs Webinar
January 31, 2019 - Career & Technical Education (CTE)-Online Schools Webinar

2018 Recorded Webinars:

September 27, 2018 - Early Warning Systems Webinar
2018 Student October Count Webinar Recording

Training and Events

Unified Improvement Planning-Training Opportunities
CDE Calendar of Events/Conferences
- This page provides links to meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. and lists deadlines and other key dates provided by CDE staff.
CDE Professional Development
- This page provides a comprehensive search tool for Colorado Department of Education-hosted professional development opportunities.

Support and Assistance

Application FAQ
Contact Renee Martinez at martinez_r@cde.state.co.us or Rachel Matson at matson_r@cde.state.co.us for questions pertaining to the multi-district or single district applications.