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English Language Resources for Non-Native English Speakers 

There are many resources available at the University of Colorado Boulder for non-native speakers of English including courses for credit, non-credit classes, workshops, on-line resources, in person writing consultants, conversation hours, and tutoring. See ���������� Boulder International Resources & Support Services.

Childcare

Childcare in Colorado is rather expensive. lists the average cost of infant childcare in Colorado in excess of $15,000. Please note that these figures vary by city and county and may very well be higher in Boulder County.

• Search for licensed childcare:
• Human Resources Childcare Discounts

Enrolling Your Child in School 

Local schools are divided into groups, called districts, with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) serving the city of Boulder and surrounding areas. To determine your neighborhood school, go to  and enter your city and street address. The website will inform you of your neighborhood elementary, middle, and high schools. Please note, in addition to kindergarten through 12th grade schooling, BVSD also offers .

BVSD enrollment begins with an .

Upon completion, you will need to bring your application receipt pages and the following documents to your neighborhood school:

• Proof of child’s birth date– usually a birth certificate or passport. This will determine the appropriate grade for your child.
• Record of updated immunizations– BVSD requires that all children in its school system have the required immunizations.  These immunizations can be obtained from a local doctor. For a list of BVSD’s required immunizations, go to  and look at “Colorado State K-12 Immunization Requirements”
• Proof of residency– such as a utility bill or lease agreement

If you wish to complete enrollment during the summer months (June and July) when schools are closed, you must provide the above documentation to BVSD’s Student Enrollment Center at 6500 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, CO 80303, or fax all documents to 720-561-5538.

For questions regarding enrollment, contact the Student Enrollment Center at 720-561-5247 or enrollment.helpdesk@bvsd.org.

Open Enrollment

You may wish to enroll your child in a BVSD school that is not your neighborhood school, such as another BVSD public school, focus school (school that meets BVSD standards but may have a different curriculum or philosophy), or charter school (independent school within the district). To do this, you must participate in open enrollment.  Open enrollment is a lottery process: families enter their children in a “lottery” that randomly selects entrants for the opportunity to enroll in non-neighborhood schools. The open enrollment application period, during which time you will need to enter your child into the lottery system, is usually open from the end of November through the beginning of January, for the following academic year.  For exact dates and to begin the open enrollment process, go to .

Keep in mind that open enrollment is only for applying to a BVSD school that is not your designated neighborhood school!  If you live in BVSD but wish to enroll your child in a school of a different district, you must contact that district directly (see below). 

English as a Second Language

BVSD does accommodate students who are not proficient in English. These students have the option of participating in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that are designed for students of limited English ability. Upon registering with BVSD, you will be required to complete a Home Language Survey indicating your child’s familiarity with English.  Your child will also be tested for English proficiency by BVSD’s Department of Language, Culture, and Equity. BVSD will use the survey and test to determine whether your child qualifies for an ESL program. 

Not all BVSD schools provide ESL programs. If your child qualifies for these services, check whether your neighborhood school offers them at .

If your neighborhood school does not offer ESL classes, you will be automatically referred to a school with an ESL program—you do not need to participate in the open enrollment lottery (unless you wish for your child to attend a school other than the one you are referred to).

For questions regarding ESL, contact BVSD’s Department of English Language Development at (720) 561-5073.

Other School Districts

You may live in an area that is served by a school district other than BVSD.  If this is the case, contact that district directly for information on enrollment:

• Longmont –
• Broomfield – or –(depending on where you live)
• Westminster– or –(depending on which county you live)
• Northglenn, Thornton –
• Denver –
• Golden –