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DonateWhat is a private school?
A private school is a privately funded, nongovernmental school that educates students according to its own educational models, value systems, and beliefs. Most private schools are nonprofit organizations governed by their own independent boards—boards that are not subject to decisions by their local school districts or state education authorities.
Private schools are not funded with public money (except certain instances of aid for specific students or services). Instead, they are funded through a combination of private philanthropy, community support, and tuition charges for attending students.
Many private schools are faith based, but not all. Colorado is home to a wide variety of private schools representing myriad faiths—Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, and a variety of non-religious beliefs.
Benefits of a Private School
Private schools offer many benefits to families. Depending on a given student’s needs, these benefits could range from more rigorous academic to faith-based instruction to specialized programs. Additionally, because private schools are independent and are typically funded by tuition paid by parents who have chosen to enroll their children at a particular school, they often provide smaller, more responsive, and more community-oriented environments than large public schools.
Where can I find a private school?
What is School Choice?
School choice can mean many things—open enrollment between public schools and districts, the availability of public options like charter schools, or the ability to access private education utilizing tuition assistance or scholarships. However, in all cases, the term refers to the fundamental right and ability of parents to choose the school that best meets the needs of their unique children.
CAPS believes that Colorado children are best served by education policy that provides maximum options to parents—public, private, and homeschool. We believe Colorado children should, regardless of income, be able to choose from a wide menu of both public and private options, including PK-12 private schools like those we represent. We also recognize that despite Colorado’s expansive public education options, far too many children are still unable to access the education they need and deserve thanks to high demand, long waitlists, and financial pressures.
CAPS strongly supports state policy changes that would provide scholarships, education savings accounts, or other financial assistance to families who may be unable to access a high-quality private education. Thirty-one states already offer some form of private school choice to families, and we believe Colorado should follow suit.
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CAPS closely monitors policy changes—legal, regulatory, and legislative—that might affect our member schools or the families they serve. If you’d like to stay up to date with these efforts or lend your voice to our advocacy work, please sign up for updates using this form.
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