Homeschooling in Delaware.

Who you register with

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). A homeschool counts as a nonpublic school, so you open one online through EdAccess, in the Nonpublic School Application.

When to register

Before you withdraw your child from public school. DDOE issues an Acknowledgement Letter, and the public school won’t withdraw your child without it. To register for a new school year, wait until after August 11.

Ages covered

Children between 5 and 16. A child counts as 5 if the fifth birthday falls on or before August 31 (14 Del. C. § 2702). DDOE doesn’t require registration for children 16 or older.

Yearly enrollment report

List the students enrolled as of the last school day in September, no later than September 30. The 2026 window runs August 11 to September 30.

Yearly attendance report

Report the total days your homeschool was open and the days each student attended, on or before July 31. The 2026 window ran June 1 to July 31.

If a report is missed

DDOE closes the homeschool and marks enrolled students as withdrawn.

Subjects, days and hours

None set by law, and DDOE doesn’t require a set number of days.

Testing

Not required. DDOE doesn’t give state tests to nonpublic school students.

Records

Not required by law. DDOE strongly encourages a portfolio with grades, attendance and test results. To re-enroll in public school, bring it with your Acknowledgement Letter.

Parent qualifications

None. Instruction must come primarily from the parent or legal guardian.

Diplomas and transcripts

Your homeschool handles grades, promotion, transcripts and any diploma. DDOE doesn’t issue or validate diplomas or keep academic records.

Special education

Homeschooled students count as parentally placed private school children for equitable services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (14 Del. C. § 2703A(a)).

Sports and activities

Interscholastic sports require full-time enrollment at a member school. A 2026 law, House Bill 350, asks DDOE to study homeschool participation in public school activities and report by December 31, 2027.

What this is

Parents or guardians teach children who aren’t all siblings, in one or more homes or other facilities (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(1)).

Who registers and reports

A liaison, the school’s administrator, registers the homeschool, enrolls students and files the yearly enrollment and attendance reports for all families. Ask your liaison what you need to provide.

Deadlines

The same as single-family homeschools: enrollment by September 30 and attendance by July 31.

Testing and subjects

None required.

What this is

A single-family homeschool that uses a curriculum approved by your local school superintendent or designee (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)).

Approval

The superintendent decides in writing whether your child is or will be given regular and thorough instruction in the subjects taught in Delaware public schools, suited to your child’s age and stage.

Reporting

Like every homeschool, it counts as a nonpublic school, so the yearly enrollment and attendance reports to DDOE apply. Ask your district and DDOE how to register this type.