Homeschooling in Delaware? Here’s your plan.

Delaware's homeschool framework is clean and well-defined under 14 Del. C. Section 2703A. Registration happens online through the EdAccess system between August 11 and September 30 each year. First-time families apply for an EdAccess account, complete the Nonpublic School Application, and receive an Acknowledgment Letter — which you will need before your public school processes a withdrawal. If you are starting after September 30, you can contact the Delaware Department of Education at 302-241-2820 to arrange enrollment outside the standard window.

The academic requirements are light. You must cover four core subjects: English Language Arts (reading, writing, and spelling), mathematics, social studies, and science. You choose your own curriculum and instructional materials with no state approval needed. Delaware requires 180 days of instruction, aligning with the public school calendar, though no minimum hours per day are specified.

Your only reporting obligation is an annual attendance report submitted through EdAccess between June 1 and July 31, covering total school days and total student days attended. There is no state testing, no portfolio review, and no curriculum submission. You re-enroll each year through EdAccess by September 30.

Delaware also recognizes three organizational structures for homeschooling: single-family, multi-family, and coordinated group programs. All three share the same basic compliance requirements. The multi-family and coordinated group options are ideal for families who want to share teaching responsibilities with other households.

All three Delaware pathways — single-family, multi-family, and coordinated group — follow the same compliance structure under 14 Del. C. Section 2703A. The difference is organizational: single-family programs are one household, multi-family programs involve two or more families registering individually but teaching together, and coordinated groups have a central entity organizing instruction with designated instructors. The single-family option is the most common. Multi-family and coordinated group programs must each register families individually and designate a liaison.

Register through EdAccess by September 30. The enrollment window opens August 11. First-time families need an Acknowledgment Letter before their public school will process withdrawal, so start the EdAccess application early.

Four core subjects, your way. Delaware requires ELA, math, social studies, and science. You choose the curriculum, the textbooks, and the approach.

Attendance report by July 31. Your only annual reporting obligation is submitting aggregate attendance data through EdAccess between June 1 and July 31.

No state testing. Delaware does not require standardized testing or any form of assessment for homeschooled students.

High school diplomas. Parents can issue their own diploma. Students may also take the GED at age 16 or older.

No guaranteed extracurricular or dual enrollment access. Delaware law does not guarantee homeschool students the right to participate in public school sports, activities, or courses. Some districts may allow participation on a case-by-case basis.

Special education access expanded in 2021. SB 106 classified homeschooled students as nonpublic school students, potentially entitling them to special education services through their district. Contact the Office of Exceptional Children Resources at 302-735-4210 to discuss your options.

Co-ops are welcome. Delaware explicitly recognizes multi-family homeschools and coordinated groups. Just make sure each participating family registers individually through EdAccess and a liaison is designated for the group.