Delaware Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In Delaware—
Homeschooling in Delaware
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
Delaware Homeschool
Key Requirements in Delaware
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Compulsory Attendance Age
Children ages 5 through 16 must be enrolled in school—public, private, or homeschool. -
Three Homeschool Options
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Single-family homeschool: All instruction done by parent(s) at home.
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Multi-family homeschool: Two or more families teach together, with a designated liaison.
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Single-family coordinated with district: Homeschool with written approval and curricular oversight by your local school district.
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Registration & Reporting
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Must register as a nonpublic school through the Delaware DOE’s EdAccess system.
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File an annual notice of intent/curriculum and attendance records via EdAccess.
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Submit enrollment report by September 30 (snapshot as of last school day in September), and end-of-year attendance by July 31.
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Teacher Qualifications & Curriculum
No required teaching credentials, specific subjects, instructional days, or hours. Curriculum choices are up to parents (except under district-coordinated option). -
Assessment & Testing
No state-mandated testing or evaluations are required. Testing (standardized or otherwise) is optional. -
Diploma & Recordkeeping
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Diplomas issued by parents or homeschool entity, not by the state.
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Keep your own academic records—DDOE doesn’t maintain report cards or transcripts.
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Immunizations & Services
Homeschool students are not required to show immunization records, though they’re recommended. Homeschooled students can access driver ed and participate in extracurricular activities under certain conditions
If You Enroll In An Accredited Private School
âś… If You Enroll in a Private Accredited Online School
You are not considered a homeschooler under Delaware law. Instead, your child is seen as enrolled in a nonpublic (private) school.
What This Means:
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No need to register as a homeschool with Delaware’s EdAccess system.
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The online school is responsible for meeting educational standards, attendance tracking, and issuing diplomas/transcripts.
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You must still report enrollment in a nonpublic school through EdAccess, but you would list the online school as the entity—not a homeschool.
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You are not required to submit curriculum or attendance records yourself if the online school handles those.
Key Tip:
When you enroll in an online school, make sure it is fully accredited and meets Delaware’s nonpublic school standards. Some online programs may market themselves as “schools” but operate more like curriculum providers—so verify the accreditation to avoid compliance issues.
Delaware K-12 School Choice
đź”’ 5. Private & Independent Schools
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Delaware does not offer state-funded vouchers or ESAs for private schools.
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However, you can still privately enroll in independent or religious schools—tuition, admissions, and financial aid are managed directly through those institutions.
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There’s a strong network of private schools under the Delaware Association of Independent Schools (e.g., Tower Hill, Sanford, Tatnall, Ursuline).
🚍 Transportation & Accessibility
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District-provided transportation is guaranteed only if you stay within your home district.
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For choice schools outside your district or charter/magnet schools, transportation is often the family’s responsibility—some districts offer limited shuttle or bus services.
Delaware School Choice Summary
Delaware offers several public school choice options, along with options for charter, magnet, vo‑tech, and private schools, but no private-school vouchers or scholarships at the state level.
🏫 1. Traditional Public School Choice
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You can apply to attend any traditional public school outside your home district (intra‑district or inter‑district open enrollment) during the annual school choice window (typically early November to mid-January).
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If seats are limited, a lottery system or waitlist is used.
đź“š 2. Charter Schools
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Over 20 tuition-free charter schools exist (serving ~12% of students).
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They often focus on a theme—STEM, arts, language, etc.—and use lotteries when oversubscribed. Priority may be given to siblings or staff children.
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Examples include Charter School of Wilmington, MOT Charter, Newark Charter.
🎨 3. Magnet Schools
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A few public magnet schools specialize in areas such as arts, STEM, or dual-language.
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Notable examples: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Conrad Schools of Science, Southern Delaware School of the Arts.
⚙️ 4. Vocational‑Technical (Vo‑Tech) Schools
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Delaware’s county-wide vocational‑technical high schools accept out-of-zone students through the school choice process.
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These schools integrate academics with career and technical education.
Homeschool Resources for Delaware
Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.
In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney. Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice.Â