Delaware homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about Delaware homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
Delaware offers homeschooling families a relatively simple process with moderate requirements. Parents must report enrollment to the Delaware Department of Education, provide instruction in required subjects, and maintain attendance records. The state provides a supportive legal framework for home education.
Delaware law (Del. Code Title 14, § 2703A) provides a clear legal framework for homeschooling. The state recognizes home education as a legitimate alternative to public and private school attendance.
Delaware offers three main legal options for educating children at home:
The standard homeschool option where parents provide instruction directly to their children.
This is the most common choice for Delaware homeschooling families.
Families can homeschool under the supervision of a certified teacher or through a coordinated home school program:
This option provides professional educational guidance while maintaining the flexibility of homeschooling.
Multiple families can form or join a home school association for group learning:
This option combines the benefits of homeschooling with cooperative learning opportunities.
Delaware allows families to choose a single-source approach (all instruction at home) or a multi-source approach (combining home instruction with part-time enrollment in public school, community college courses, or other programs). This flexibility allows families to customize their educational program to best meet each child's needs.
Delaware requires homeschooling families to report their enrollment to the Delaware Department of Education. The process is manageable but must be completed properly.
Parents must submit a home school enrollment form to the Delaware Department of Education. This should be done on or before July 1 for the upcoming school year, or at least one day before beginning home instruction if starting mid-year.
The enrollment form typically requires:
The DDOE provides the enrollment form on their website. Some school districts also have their own processes, but the DDOE enrollment is the primary legal requirement.
Ongoing requirements include:
The annual enrollment is the main recurring obligation. Keep copies of all submitted forms for your records.
If your child is currently enrolled in school:
Once your enrollment is on file with the DDOE, your child is considered in compliance with compulsory attendance requirements.
Delaware law requires that homeschooled students receive instruction in specific subjects. Parents have freedom in how they deliver this instruction.
Delaware requires instruction in the same subjects as public schools, which generally include:
The state requires that home instruction be "regular and thorough" in these subject areas.
Within the required subject areas, families enjoy significant flexibility:
Many Delaware homeschool families reference the state's content standards as a helpful guide for grade-level expectations, but there is no legal obligation to follow them. Delaware's small size provides unique advantages for homeschoolers — the state's museums, historical sites, beaches, and nature preserves are all easily accessible for hands-on learning experiences.
Delaware does not require parents to have a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific educational credentials to homeschool their children under the standard home school option.
Any parent or legal guardian in Delaware can choose to educate their children at home. The state does not impose educational prerequisites on the homeschooling parent.
While no formal qualifications are needed, effective homeschooling parents typically:
Delaware's homeschool community, while smaller than some states, is close-knit and supportive of new families.
Delaware does not require homeschooled students to take standardized tests or submit test scores to the state. Homeschoolers are exempt from the state's standardized assessment program.
Parents are free to assess their children's progress using whatever methods they prefer. The state does not mandate evaluations, portfolio reviews, or progress reports for homeschooled students.
Many Delaware homeschool families voluntarily use:
These are entirely optional but can help track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Delaware homeschoolers preparing for college should consider:
If a homeschooled student transitions back to public school, the school district will determine appropriate grade placement. Having academic records and optional test scores facilitates a smoother transition.
Delaware requires homeschoolers to maintain attendance records as part of their compliance with the home school statute.
Delaware requires that homeschooled students receive instruction for at least 180 days per school year. Attendance records documenting these days must be maintained.
Parents of high school students should maintain comprehensive records for creating transcripts:
Parents can issue their own high school diplomas in Delaware. A well-documented transcript is essential for college admissions and scholarship applications.
Delaware maintains a low to moderate level of oversight for homeschooling families, primarily through the enrollment reporting requirement.
Delaware's oversight of homeschooling includes:
In practice, once you have filed your enrollment, the state's involvement in your homeschool is minimal.
Delaware's compulsory attendance law applies to children ages 5 through 16. The law provides exemptions for children receiving home instruction:
Maintaining your enrollment and attendance records keeps you in full compliance with Delaware law.
If contacted by school officials or attendance officers, provide your enrollment confirmation from the DDOE and your attendance records. This should resolve any questions. Delaware homeschool organizations can provide additional support if needed.
Delaware homeschoolers enjoy these legal protections:
Be aware of these potential issues:
Failing to enroll with DDOE
Not filing your annual enrollment form could result in truancy proceedings. File on time each year.
Not meeting 180-day requirement
Failing to provide the minimum 180 days of instruction, or not maintaining attendance records, could create compliance issues.
Custody complications
In custody disputes, homeschooling can be challenged. Thorough records and enrollment documentation strengthen your position.
Delaware law protects your right to homeschool. If you encounter difficulties with school officials or government agencies, document the interaction and contact a homeschool legal support organization. Delaware's requirements are clearly defined, and compliance is straightforward.
Delaware has a supportive homeschooling community despite being a small state:
DHEA is the primary statewide homeschool organization in Delaware, offering:
Delaware has active local homeschool groups offering:
Groups are active in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County. Delaware's compact size makes it easy to participate in groups across the state.
The DDOE provides resources for homeschoolers:
Organizations providing legal support for Delaware homeschoolers:
Our AI-powered tools can help Delaware homeschoolers with curriculum planning, content creation, assessment design, and personalized learning. Our tools are designed to create customized educational experiences that cover required subjects while matching each student's learning style and pace.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist Delaware homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping Delaware homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Delaware's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required Delaware subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for Delaware homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in Delaware:
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Co-ops & Learning Communities PaidLast Updated: March 23, 2026