Hearing and Vision Screenings

The Options Program's nurse, Kari Laudenslager, will offer hearing and vision screenings in the fall for families that opt in. 

Counseling services

Our Options Program counselor, Michelle Cole, will be available to help families navigate Concurrent Enrollment and will be helping us meet the needs of all students with increased Social Emotional Learning support at our site. 

Concurrent Enrollment is an exciting partnership between the Community College of Aurora and the Aurora Public Schools. It is designed to increase the number of high school students earning college credit. The program is for all high school students who have the ability to test into a guaranteed transfer course.

Students may also qualify to take college courses during a fifth year of high school in the ASCENT Program. May information can be found here. 

Options Bookroom

Many types, brands, and subjects of curriculum are available to check out from the bookroom located at the APS Options Main Office. Visit the bookroom website to see a list of our current offerings and to sign up for an appointment to check out materials. Email apsoptionsbooks@aurorak12.org  with any questions. 

Colorado Homeschool Laws

CDE Resources 

Homeschool Treasury- Lists of Homeschool Days around Denver

Does this program cost anything?

Our classes are funded from the State. We charge only an activity fee of $20 per child per year. You may need to pay for consumables if you choose to use our curriculum. AmeriTowne and InternationalTowne have a fee associated if you choose to take those classes.

Can I register my children for Denver Options if we already attend another program?

You may not be a part of two publicly funded programs. If you attend a program with paid tuition, you may still be able to enroll. 

What if we don’t like the program and want to quit?

Let us know. Fill out a withdrawal form. Return your books, and stop attending.

Do I still have to register my children as home-schoolers?

It is recommended that you do. If you live in the APS boundaries, you can fill out the Intent to Homeschool form here.

If you enroll in home-schooling through DPS, their number is 303-764-3552 (the contact person is Lia Tinker, Office of Student Records). You may also use an umbrella school if you don’t want to register with a public school. https://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool

Does Denver Options offer testing?

Yes, we will offer the California Achievement tests in the spring. Per the Colorado Homeschool Law, students in odd grades starting with third may either take a nationally accredited exam (PARCC doesn’t count, it isn’t nationally accredited), be under an umbrella school, or have a certified teacher evaluate your child to determine that they are making sufficient progress.

Will there be homework?

We rarely give homework in elementary grades. The secondary students can expect some, but no more than 30 minutes per class each week. Often this involves bringing something to school, practicing an instrument or lines for a play,  or finding a bit of information.

Who decides what grade my child is in?

Kindergarten and First grades have minimum requirements for age. The child must be 5 by October 1 to enter Kindergarten, and 6 by October 1 to enter 1st grade. As the kids get older we place them where they fit best socially, which is usually with their grade. Sometimes kids will jump up a grade level or down a grade level for a specific class.

How do I get school books?

You can contact the book office after your enrollment is complete and make an appointment to check out books.  Email the book room at apsoptionsbooks@aurorak12.org  after checking out the book room website and the Curriculum list. 

What about lunches?

Each student should bring a sack lunch. Make sure nothing needs to be refrigerated or reheated. We will eat outside as often as the weather allows and then kids will have a chance to play with their friends. 

Please put 2 snacks in a backpack to keep with the child. We encourage children to have a snack  after 2nd hour and again after 4th hour. 

If you can avoid nuts, we appreciate it, but understand that isn’t always possible.

How do you contact me?

We use email and Slack primarily.  Teachers will post regular updates on Slack and that is the quickest way to get information directly from the teachers. Important schoolwide updates and news will come to Slack and Email

We will also need a contact number  that we can reach you at in case of emergency. Sometimes the kids just need the comfort of knowing that they can call home to say hello or send a picture of something they are proud of. 

This is really the most important thing, isn't it?  Nothing is more valuable than your child.  We have several practices in place.  

1. The Denver Options Teachers are all Colorado State Licensed 

2. The Denver Options Support staff are background checked and many are homeschooling parents. 

3. Our Site is fortunate to have a licensed nurse on staff. 

4. All external doors are locked or are manned by an employee at all times.

5. Each teacher takes attendance each hour.  

6. We have support staff who don't have classes but are there to support the teachers at all times.