Homeschooling in Delaware

Delaware classifies homeschools as Nonpublic Schools (NPS) under 14 Del.C. §2702-2704 and §2703A. The state offers three legal pathways, with single-family homeschools being most common. Delaware DOES NOT provide, endorse, accredit, approve, or monitor curriculum — full curriculum freedom. Two annual reports are required: enrollment statement by September 30 (changed from October 5 by 2023 legislative change) and attendance report by July 31. Filing through online EdAccess NPS portal. Compulsory ages 5-16.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: Three pathways under 14 Del. C. §2703A — (1) Single-Family Homeschool (most common), (2) Multi-Family Homeschool (co-op), (3) Single-Family Coordinated with School District (rarely used).

Notification: Register your homeschool as a Nonpublic School (NPS) with the Delaware Department of Education through EdAccess online portal. Annual enrollment statement by SEPTEMBER 30 (changed from October 5 by 2023 legislative change) and end-of-year attendance report by JULY 31..

Instructional time: 180 days of instruction recommended. Specific hours not mandated..

Required subjects: Options 1 and 2: NO state-mandated subjects (state does not provide, endorse, or monitor curriculum). Option 3: subjects required for public schools..

Testing and evaluation: NO testing required for Options 1 or 2..

What Delaware families need to know

**THREE PATHWAYS** (14 Del.C. §2703A):

• **(1) SINGLE-FAMILY HOMESCHOOL** — most common. Education of your own child(ren), primarily by you as parent or legal guardian, mainly in your residence. Parent serves as liaison automatically.

• **(2) MULTI-FAMILY HOMESCHOOL** — education of children from MORE than one family, primarily by parents/guardians, in one or more residences or facilities. A liaison/administrator must be designated for registration, reporting, and enrollment.

• **(3) SINGLE-FAMILY COORDINATED WITH LOCAL DISTRICT** — rarely used. Education provided primarily by parent using curriculum approved by local superintendent. Largely DISCONTINUED in practice.

**REGISTRATION via EdAccess online portal**: required BEFORE withdrawing from public school. Steps: (1) Apply for EdAccess account; (2) Set up two-factor authentication; (3) Log into NPS Application; (4) Complete demographic information; (5) Assign yourself as parent of enrolled students; (6) Save and submit. NPS goes into pending status awaiting DDOE approval. Public schools will NOT withdraw your child to NPS without the Acknowledgment Letter.

**ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS** (14 Del.C. §2704):

• **Enrollment statement** by SEPTEMBER 30 (the date was CHANGED from October 5 to September 30 by 2023 legislative change). Statement of pupil enrollment as of last school day in September.

• **End-of-year attendance report** by JULY 31.

• Filed through DDOE's online portal.

**NPS Application closure**: August 1 - August 11 each year (rolled to new school year). System is unavailable during this window.

**No state-mandated subjects** under Options 1 and 2: DDOE does NOT provide, endorse, accredit, approve, or monitor curriculum for any nonpublic school. Full curriculum freedom.

**No testing required**: no state assessments, no portfolio reviews, no curriculum approval.

**No teacher qualifications**: no parent education or certification requirements.

**Multi-family homeschool considerations**: liaison/administrator handles registration, reporting, and enrollment for all member families. Provides parents with copy of acknowledgment page upon enrollment.

**Withdrawal from public school**: must register NPS with DDOE FIRST. Print/obtain Acknowledgment Letter showing NPS is open and student(s) enrolled. Public schools will not withdraw without this letter.

**Truancy carryover**: homeschool registration does NOT exempt your child from any existing truancy case. If your child has an open case, DDOE can REJECT your application. Ensure compliance with compulsory attendance laws up until withdrawal.

**Mid-year homeschool start**: call (302) 241-2820 to set up an appointment for in-person enrollment after the initial enrollment window.

**Withdrawal from homeschool / closing NPS**: submit notice via Support Request Form in EdAccess portal. Print Letter of Acknowledgment for closure.

**No specific days/hours requirement**: parents set own schedule. Delaware doesn't set a number for required hours/days — just track attendance daily and report annually.

**No state ESA, voucher, or tax credit**: Delaware does NOT offer state-funded support for homeschool families. Federal Coverdell ESAs ($2,000/year) and Delaware 529 plan (state tax benefits, up to $10,000/year for K-12 private school tuition) are primary tools.

**Sports access**: Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) requires FULL-TIME enrollment in member school for sports eligibility. Some districts allow homeschool participation at discretion. NO state law guarantees access (no Tim Tebow law).

**Limited special education**: public school IEPs do not automatically transfer. May need private evaluations and therapies out of pocket.

**Small state advantages**: 3 counties (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) means simple district interactions. Proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC for educational excursions.

**Delaware homeschool population**: grown ~75% since 2019 per DDOE data. Over 2,000 nonpublic schools (combined homeschools and private schools) currently registered.

Compulsory attendance: ages 5 (by August 31 of school year) through 18 (NPS registration not required after age 16, though encouraged).

Always verify current requirements with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — Nonpublic School Support before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Delaware homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. The state does NOT issue homeschool diplomas. Delaware public colleges (University of Delaware, Delaware State, Delaware Tech) accept homeschool transcripts. Strong SAT/ACT scores significantly strengthen applications. Document courses thoroughly with credit hours, grades, and course descriptions. Many DE homeschool graduates leverage proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore colleges. The GED is available for graduates who need a state-recognized credential.

Getting started in Delaware

If you are new to homeschooling in Delaware, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — Nonpublic School Support website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Delaware offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Delaware has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Delaware homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Delaware homeschool families:

• Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) — Primary statewide homeschool organization — connects families across all 3 counties
• County-based groups — Active homeschool groups in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties
• HSLDA Delaware — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Delaware homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Delaware's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Delaware State Guide