KRDO13 Investigates: Southern Colorado drives more than 80% of Colorado’s recent homeschool growth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - As students return to classrooms across Colorado, a growing number of families are choosing a different path: homeschooling.

An analysis by KRDO13 Investigates of Colorado Department of Education (CDE) data found the number of students reported as being in 100% home-based education has increased nearly 20% in three years, from 8,674 students to 10,367 during the 2025-26 school year.

The latest one-year increase was particularly concentrated in southern Colorado.

Statewide, the number of students reported as homeschooled full-time increased by 541 students, from 9,826 in fall 2024 to 10,367 in fall 2025, a 5.5% increase.

Six southern Colorado school districts accounted for a combined increase of 451 students - more than 80% of the statewide increase.

Academy District 20 reported the largest increase in the state, growing from 456 to 607 students in one year, an increase of 151.

Other southern Colorado districts reporting increases included:

• Colorado Springs District 11: 83 additional students
• Woodland Park RE-2: 73
• Pueblo District 60: 62
• Lewis-Palmer District 38: 49
• Widefield District 3: 33

The increases come as Colorado's overall public school enrollment is moving in the opposite direction. CDE reported 870,793 students enrolled in Colorado public schools during the 2025-26 school year, down 10,272 students, or 1.2%, from the previous year.

CDE says Colorado's enrollment trends are being shaped by a declining school-aged population and shifts toward part-time and online learning.

The district numbers do not necessarily mean every student reported by a particular district lives within that district's boundaries or previously attended its schools.

Under Colorado law, families submit a notice of intent to homeschool to a Colorado school district, but it does not have to be the district where they live. CDE says families can submit the notice to a school district of their choosing and must submit a new notification each year.

Lewis-Palmer District 38 raised that distinction when KRDO13 Investigates asked about the increase associated with the district.

"Because of that process, numbers can be skewed and don't accurately reflect homeschool numbers going up or down in one particular district," district spokesperson Amy Matisek told KRDO13 Investigates.

That means the data shows where homeschool students are reported, but it cannot by itself establish that those students left the public schools in the district reporting them.

A local enrichment program says demand is growing

The growth is something Alli, the owner of Rocky Mountain Enrichment (RME) in Colorado Springs, says she has witnessed firsthand.

Alli, who has a master's degree in elementary education and previously taught in a traditional classroom, homeschools her 12-year-old son, Holden.

Holden previously attended traditional public school before his family ultimately moved to homeschooling. Alli said she felt a traditional classroom was not meeting his individual academic needs.

"We all kind of were like, 'Oh wow, we can stay together as a family unit, spend time together and give our students what they need at their ability,'" Alli told KRDO13 Investigates.

She started RME with eight students. The program is now entering its fourth year, and Alli said enrollment has grown to more than 150 students.

"There's a huge need, especially in the Colorado Springs area," Alli said.

RME provides hands-on activities for homeschool students, including gardening, cooking, science, entrepreneurship and outdoor education. Most students attend the enrichment program one day each week while receiving their primary education at home.

For Holden, homeschooling has also changed how he interacts with other students.

"I feel like I get more time to socialize homeschooling," he said, comparing the experience with his time in public school.

How public funding fits into homeschooling

There is an important distinction between homeschooling and publicly funded homeschool enrichment programs.

CDE says homeschooling itself is considered non-public education and does not receive public funding. Parents or guardians are responsible for selecting curriculum, books, supplies and tests and for the costs associated with educating their children at home.

However, homeschool students can also participate in separate part-time public school programs. Those programs can receive public education funding for eligible students.

Alli says Rocky Mountain Enrichment participates in a publicly funded homeschool enrichment arrangement that allows eligible families to attend without paying tuition.

"Since it's state-funded, or tuition-free, the state of Colorado will pay for the students," Alli said. "So there's not necessarily money out of the parents' pockets for these programs as well."

Those programs have recently faced increased scrutiny from state education officials and lawmakers.

CDE says a review of part-time programs found examples where one-time classes, field trips, evening and weekend events and some extracurricular or athletic activities were being counted toward instructional time used for student funding.

The Colorado legislature responded this year by passing new requirements through the 2026 School Finance Act.

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, part-time public school programs for homeschool students cannot directly or indirectly fund, reimburse or subsidize private activities or purchases for students or their families.

The new law also requires the programs to comply with requirements that apply to the public education provider operating them. It also creates an authorization process for local education providers seeking to operate homeschool programs outside their geographic boundaries.

Local districts expanding homeschool options

Even as the state changes the rules governing part-time programs, some Southern Colorado districts are continuing to invest in services for homeschool families.

Academy District 20, which reported the state's largest one-year increase in 100% home-based education, told KRDO13 Investigates it supports families choosing the educational option that best fits their children.

The district pointed to its Home School Academy, which provides homeschool students with enrichment opportunities in areas including science, arts and outdoor education.

"These experiences allow families to personalize their students' education while remaining connected to the resources and opportunities available through Academy District 20," district spokesperson Mark Belcher said in a statement.

Lewis-Palmer District 38 is also expanding its homeschool offerings.

The district told KRDO13 Investigates it is building a new facility for its Home School Enrichment Academy, which is expected to open to homeschool students in October.

The latest statewide homeschool figures reflect the 2025-26 school year and were released by CDE in January. Data showing whether the trend continues during the 2026-27 school year is expected to be released next January.

If you have information you believe the public needs to know, KRDO13 Investigates wants to hear from you. Tips can be submitted by emailing 13Investigates@krdo.com.

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