What Is an Umbrella School?

An umbrella school is a private institution that allows parents to educate their children at home while remaining enrolled in a private school. In Colorado, families have two legal options for independent education outside of public schools: homeschooling and private schooling.

Both options have specific legal requirements, but private schools—including umbrella schools—typically have fewer regulations than homeschooling.

When a child enrolls in an umbrella school, they are officially considered a private school student. This means they report attendance and academic progress to the umbrella school rather than the public school district and must follow the umbrella school’s policies and requirements instead of those set for homeschooling.