Colorado Kids: Where Are They Going?

In Colorado, public schools are seeing fewer kids. About 10, 000 students left, which is a 1. 2% drop. That's a big change, but not as big as during the pandemic. Back then, 30, 000 students left. So, why are kids leaving now? One reason is that fewer kids are in the age group for school. But that's not the only thing. More families are choosing to teach their kids at home. In fact, homeschooling went up by 5. 5%. Online schools also got more popular, with a 2. 9% increase. This isn't just happening in Colorado. All over the country, families are looking at different options. Some want to homeschool. Others like microschools or school-choice programs. The pandemic made many parents think hard about where their kids should learn.Colorado has many types of schools. There are traditional public schools, innovation schools, and charter schools. The state supports school choice. But now, they're also watching how many families choose homeschooling or online schools. Why are families making these choices? It's not just one thing. Some want more control over what their kids learn. Others like the flexibility of online schools. And some just prefer the one-on-one attention homeschooling offers. But what does this mean for public schools? They might need to change to keep up. They could offer more options or improve what they already do. The goal is to serve students well, no matter what.