Colorado Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject

Colorado requires 9 specific subjects in your homeschool curriculum. Understanding exactly what needs to be covered — and what’s optional — helps you make smart curriculum choices without over-complicating your planning.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado requires exactly 9 subjects; art, music, PE, and health are optional
• Each subject must be covered through 172 instructional days × 4 hours average per day
• You have complete freedom in how you cover these subjects (any textbook, curriculum, or method)
• No specific textbooks or curricula are mandated
• Testing occurs at grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 in the required subjects

The 9 Required Subjects in Colorado

1. Reading

What it includes:

• Phonics and decoding (K-2)
• Fluency and comprehension (3-5)
• Close reading and analysis (6+)
• Literary comprehension and analysis

Curriculum options:

• Abeka Reading
• Sonlight literature-based approach
• Blossom and Root (nature-based reading)
• Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Lessons
• Any quality literature program

How to document: Keep a list of books read, reading level assessments, and comprehension work. Testing at odd grades (3, 5, 7, 9, 11) will verify reading proficiency.

2. Writing

What it includes:

• Handwriting and penmanship (K-2)
• Written expression and composition (3-12)
• Grammar and mechanics
• Writing for different purposes (narrative, persuasive, expository)

Curriculum options:

• Writing With Ease (Charlotte Mason approach)
• IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
• Bravewriter (creative, process-oriented)
• Abeka Language Arts
• Writing worksheets and journals

How to document: Keep writing samples from throughout the year. Portfolio of essays, stories, journal entries. Most homeschoolers maintain a writing folder.

3. Speaking (Communication Skills)

What it includes:

• Oral communication and presentation
• Listening skills
• Verbal expression
• Public speaking (middle/high school)

Curriculum options:

• Formal speech classes (BJU Speech, Grapevine Studies)
• Debate clubs or forensics programs
• Presentation practice in other subjects
• Co-op classes focusing on communication
• Drama or theater classes

How to document: Attendance at speech/presentation classes, participation in co-ops, recorded presentations, or teacher observations. This can be integrated into other subjects.

4. Mathematics

What it includes:

• Arithmetic and number sense (K-2)
• Multi-digit operations and concepts (3-5)
• Fractions, decimals, ratios (4-7)
• Algebra, geometry, statistics (7-12)

Curriculum options:

• Saxon Math (structured, spiral approach)
• Math-U-See (manipulative-based)
• Abeka Math
• Beast Academy (game-based)
• Khan Academy (free supplement or core)

How to document: Keep completed math work, tests, and assessments. For testing grades (3, 5, 7, 9, 11), standardized math tests are critical verification.

5. History

What it includes:

• Ancient history (typically grades 4-5)
• Medieval/Renaissance history (typically grades 6-7)
• American history (typically grades 8-9)
• World history (typically grades 10+)
• Colorado/local history integration

Curriculum options:

• Story of the World (narrative-based, very popular in Colorado)
• My Father’s World (integrated approach)
• Beautiful Feet Books (literature-rich)
• Time4Learning history modules
• Online history courses

How to document: Reading logs, history notebooks, essays, projects. Document any Colorado-specific history study (mining history, Native American history, Western expansion).

6. Civics

What it includes:

• Government structure and function
• Citizenship and civic responsibilities
• Colorado government
• Voting and civic participation
• Constitution and law

Curriculum options:

• Formal civics course (junior high)
• iCivics (free, game-based)
• Foundations in US Government (high school)
• Colorado civics modules through library/online

How to document: Class notes, tests, civic participation records. High school civics courses are essential documentation.

7. Literature

What it includes:

• Classic and contemporary literature
• Literary analysis and interpretation
• Fiction and non-fiction reading
• Literary elements and devices

Important distinction from Reading: Reading is about comprehension and fluency; Literature is about analyzing works, themes, and literary techniques.

Curriculum options:

• Sonlight Literature (structured, classic-heavy)
• BookShark Literature (integrated with history)
• Classic Conversations humanities (literature-focused)
• High school literature courses
• Required reading lists with analysis

How to document: Reading lists with book summaries, literary analysis essays, discussion notes. This is clearly separate from “Reading” subject.

8. Science

What it includes:

• Life science (K-3): animals, plants, human body, ecosystems
• Physical science (K-3): matter, energy, forces
• Comprehensive science (4-12): biology, chemistry, physics, earth science

Curriculum options:

• Abeka Science
• Exploring Creation with Dr. Jay Wile (Apologia Science)
• Khan Academy Science (free)
• Time4Learning Science
• Hands-on science using Colorado’s natural resources

Colorado advantage: Colorado’s natural environment makes science education particularly engaging. Many families integrate:

• Rocky Mountain ecology
• Geology and mining history
• Astronomy (high altitude location)
• Environmental science through parks and nature centers

How to document: Lab notebooks, experiment records, science reading logs, project reports. STEM and outdoor learning naturally integrate science.

9. Constitution of the United States

What it includes:

• Constitutional structure and principles
• Bill of Rights
• Amendments
• Federal/state powers
• Constitutional interpretation

Curriculum options:

• iCivics (free, covers Constitution through games)
• Formal government/civics course
• Stand Firm Curriculum (Constitution-focused)
• Candlelight Homeschool Constitution course
• Online Constitution modules

Distinct from Civics: While civics is broader government education, Constitution is specifically about the foundational document.

How to document: Constitution study materials, essays, tests, civic participation. This is often embedded in civics or history courses.

Optional But Recommended Subjects

While not required by Colorado law, most families include:

Art

• Visual creativity
• Art history
• Technique and media
• Museum visits

Options: Self-directed projects, art classes, co-op offerings, online courses

Music

• Music history and theory
• Performance or listening skills
• Instrument lessons
• Choir or ensemble

Options: Private lessons, co-op classes, school band/orchestra access, online music courses

Physical Education

• Fitness and health
• Sports and athletics
• Movement skills
• Outdoor recreation

Options: Public school PE access, sports clubs, co-op classes, home-based fitness

Health

• Nutrition and wellness
• Safety education
• Human development
• Disease prevention

Options: Standalone health course (high school requirement for most states’ colleges), co-op offerings

How to Document Coverage of All 9 Subjects

Attendance Tracking

Maintain a record showing 172+ days of instruction with an average of 4 contact hours per day. This demonstrates that subjects are being taught, not just listed.

Simple approach: Calendar showing school days + total hours per week.

Subject Tracking Log

Create a simple table showing which subjects were covered when:

| Month | Reading | Math | Science | History | Writing | Speaking | Civics | Literature | Constitution | |——-|———|——|———|———|———|———-|——–|———–|————-| | Aug | X | X | X | X | X | | | X | | | Sept | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |

Assessment & Testing Records

For testing grades (3, 5, 7, 9, 11), you’ll take a standardized test or professional evaluation covering the required subjects.

Portfolio Collection

Keep samples of work from each subject throughout the year:

• Math assignments and tests
• Writing samples (stories, essays, journal entries)
• Science labs or reports
• History reading logs and projects
• Literature analysis papers
• Speaking recordings or certificates

This portfolio demonstrates mastery across all 9 subjects.

Subject Integration vs. Separate Study

Many Colorado homeschoolers integrate subjects for efficiency:

Example: Colonial America Unit

• History: Study of colonial America
• Literature: Read books set in colonial times
• Writing: Essays about colonial topics
• Science: Natural resources and agriculture of the colonies
• Constitution: Origins of American government

Each subject is covered but as part of a cohesive unit. Document each subject separately while teaching integrated units.

Flexibility Within Structure

You have freedom in:

• Which curriculum to choose (or create your own)
• Pacing (fast or slow, based on child’s ability)
• Depth (basic coverage or advanced study)
• Integration (separate subjects or unit-based)
• Teaching method (textbook, online, discussion-based, Socratic, hands-on)

You don’t have freedom to:

• Skip any of the 9 required subjects
• Provide less than 172 days or 4 hours average daily
• Avoid testing/evaluation at required grades (unless parent has Colorado teaching license)

FAQ

Can I teach subjects through one integrated curriculum?

Yes, many families use Story of the World (history) + literature books + writing assignments to cover History, Literature, Writing, and Reading together. Each subject is still documented separately.

Does Colorado require specific grade-level standards?

No. You’re not required to follow Colorado Academic Standards. You have complete freedom in what content to teach within each subject.

What if my child is ahead in some subjects and behind in others?

Colorado allows flexible pacing. Your child can be in 5th-grade math, 3rd-grade reading, and 6th-grade history. Just document each subject separately.

How do I prove I’m teaching all 9 subjects if I use a unit approach?

Keep a simple tracking log showing when each subject was taught. Even in integrated units, you identify which subject each activity covers.

Can classical Christian subjects (Bible, apologetics) count toward required subjects?

Bible and apologetics can supplement other required subjects (literature, history, civics) but cannot count as replacement for required subjects. You must cover the 9 required subjects plus any additional subjects you choose.

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Colorado’s 9-subject requirement is clear, but the flexibility in how you teach them is what makes Colorado homeschooling accessible to families with different styles and budgets.