How to Homeschool in Delaware (2026 Guide)

The short version

Delaware is one of the easier states to navigate for homeschooling. Before you start teaching, you register your homeschool as a nonpublic school (NPS) through the Delaware Department of Education’s online portal. After that, there are two annual reporting deadlines: an attendance report by July 31 and an enrollment report by September 30. The state does not require standardized testing, does not mandate a specific curriculum, and does not require parents to hold any teaching credential. For most families, the main ongoing obligation is simply keeping those two annual reports current.

Legal basis

Delaware’s homeschool law is rooted in Title 14 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 27 (School Attendance). The framework works as follows:

• 14 Del. C. § 2702 establishes compulsory attendance for children between the ages of 5 (by August 31 of the school year) and 16. Every person with legal custody of a child in that age range must enroll them in either a public school or a recognized nonpublic school.
• 14 Del. C. § 2703 creates the exemption: a student enrolled in a private or homeschool that satisfies the requirements of § 2703A is legally exempt from the compulsory public-school attendance requirement.
• 14 Del. C. § 2703A defines three legal types of homeschool (see below). A homeschool is classified as a nonpublic school for purposes of Delaware law.
• 14 Del. C. § 2704 sets the two annual reporting deadlines that every nonpublic school, including homeschools, must meet to remain in active status.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) does not approve, endorse, accredit, or monitor curriculum for any nonpublic school. It also does not keep student academic records. The DDOE’s role is limited to registration and the collection of annual enrollment and attendance data.

Primary DDOE resource: Homeschools and Private Schools — Delaware Department of Education

How to register: opening a nonpublic school

Before your child begins instruction at home, you must open a nonpublic school (NPS) with the DDOE and enroll your child in it. The DDOE will not withdraw your child from a public school until this is done. Registration is completed entirely online through the EdAccess portal in three steps:

1. Create an EdAccess account. Select “Nonpublic School Account” from the account type dropdown. You will be required to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for every login.
2. Submit the NPS application. Log in to the Nonpublic School Application, click the “+School” button, select your homeschool type (single-family or multi-family), enter the school’s demographic and contact information, and add your student(s). For a homeschool, each student must be linked to a parent or guardian. Save, review, and submit — the application moves to “pending” status while the DDOE reviews it.
3. Obtain the Acknowledgement Letter. Once the DDOE approves the application, you can download or print the Acknowledgement Letter from the Records tab in the NPS Application. This letter is the official confirmation that your nonpublic school is open and your student is enrolled. Public schools require this document before they will withdraw a student.

There is no fee to register. The DDOE reviews applications in the order they are received.

Note for children 16 and older: Delaware’s compulsory attendance law applies to children ages 5 through 16. If your child is 16 or older, you are not legally required to register a homeschool with the DDOE, though the DDOE encourages you to do so if you wish. [14 Del. C. § 2702]

The three types of Delaware homeschool

14 Del. C. § 2703A defines three legal structures. Most families use one of the first two.

1. Single-family homeschool

The education of an individual’s own child, primarily by the parent or legal guardian, mainly in the family’s own residence. This is the most common structure. There are no state curriculum requirements, no testing requirements, and no teacher qualification requirements.

2. Multi-family homeschool

The education of children from more than one family, primarily by the parents or legal guardians, in one or more residences or other facilities. One adult acts as a liaison to the DDOE for enrollment and attendance reporting. This structure is used by homeschool co-ops where multiple families share instruction. The liaison is responsible for registering the school and reporting for all enrolled students.

3. Single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district

The education of a child primarily by the parent or legal guardian, in the family’s residence, using a curriculum that has been approved in writing by the local school superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. The superintendent must also determine in writing that the child will receive “regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for the public schools of the State” in a manner suitable for the child’s age and level of advancement. [14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)]

This option involves closer coordination with your local district. It is less commonly chosen and typically used by families who want a structured connection to district resources. Families who prefer full independence generally use the single-family or multi-family options instead.

Required subjects

For single-family and multi-family homeschools — the two most common types — Delaware does not specify any required subjects or curriculum. The DDOE does not provide or recommend a curriculum, and does not monitor what is taught. [See DDOE Nonpublic School FAQ, education.delaware.gov]

For the single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district, the child must receive instruction in “the subjects prescribed for the public schools of the State” as determined in writing by the local superintendent. [14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)]

In practice, most Delaware homeschool families have complete flexibility in what they teach, how they teach it, and which materials they use.

Standardized testing

Delaware does not require homeschool students to take standardized tests. There is no state assessment requirement for students enrolled in a single-family or multi-family homeschool. [14 Del. C. §§ 2703, 2703A; DDOE Nonpublic School guidance]

If you choose to have your child tested — for your own records, for college preparation, or to ease a future re-enrollment in public school — that is entirely at your discretion. Test results are not reported to the DDOE.

Annual reporting

After registration, every active nonpublic school must meet two annual deadlines to remain in open status. [14 Del. C. § 2704]

Report	What it covers	Deadline
Attendance report	End-of-year attendance information	July 31 each year
Enrollment report	Pupil enrollment as of the last school day in September	September 30 each year

Both reports are submitted through the Nonpublic School Application via EdAccess. The application closes from approximately August 1 through August 11 each year to roll over to the new school year — you cannot make changes or report enrollment during that window.

Missing these deadlines can jeopardize your school’s open status. Set calendar reminders.

Record keeping

The DDOE does not require you to maintain an academic portfolio, curriculum records, or attendance logs for your own files. However, the DDOE strongly recommends keeping educational records — including grades, attendance, test scores, assignments, and other work samples — because:

• Public schools use your records to determine grade placement if your child re-enrolls.
• Colleges, universities, employers, and licensing bodies may ask for documentation of your child’s education.
• The DDOE cannot ensure that a diploma or transcript from your nonpublic school will be accepted by any institution. Verifying acceptability is your responsibility.

There is no state-prescribed portfolio format. A simple folder or binder with samples of work, reading logs, and any assessment results will serve most families well.

Scholarships and financial assistance

Delaware does not have a state Education Savings Account (ESA) program, voucher, or direct financial assistance specifically for homeschool families. All costs for curriculum, materials, and any outside instruction are the family’s responsibility.

Federal tax-advantaged accounts: Families may use Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and certain 529 plan distributions for qualified K–12 educational expenses. Consult a tax professional for guidance on what qualifies.

Delaware higher education scholarships: Delaware’s SEED Scholarship and Inspire Scholarship programs are available to Delaware residents pursuing higher education after high school. These programs are not restricted to public-school graduates; homeschool graduates who meet the eligibility requirements may apply. Check the Delaware Higher Education Office (DHEO) for current eligibility rules at dheo.delawaregoes2college.org.

No state ESA or K–12 homeschool funding legislation was in effect as of the date this guide was last reviewed.

Withdrawing from public school

If your child is currently enrolled in a Delaware public school, the sequence matters. Delaware law requires that your nonpublic school be registered and your child enrolled in it before the public school will process the withdrawal. [DDOE, education.delaware.gov/families/k12/homeschools-and-private-schools/opening-a-nonpublic-school/]

The steps in order:

1. Complete the DDOE NPS application and receive your Acknowledgement Letter (Step 3 of registration above).
2. Bring the Acknowledgement Letter to the public school. The public school will not withdraw your child without this document.
3. The school processes the withdrawal.

Important on timing: If a public school district has already begun truancy proceedings against your child, opening a homeschool after the fact does not automatically halt those proceedings. The district may still pursue the case. Homeschool registration should not be used as a means of avoiding truancy charges already in progress. [DDOE guidance]

Moving to Delaware from another state: If you are opening a homeschool in Delaware after moving from another state, you do not need to provide the DDOE with academic records from your previous state. Simply follow the standard application steps.

Re-enrolling in public school

When a homeschooled student returns to public school:

1. Withdraw the student from the NPS in the EdAccess system.
2. Print an updated Acknowledgement Letter (now showing the student as withdrawn) from the Records tab.
3. Bring the letter and any educational portfolio materials to the public school. While not required by the DDOE, a portfolio helps the school determine appropriate grade placement.

Grade placement decisions belong to the public school. If you plan to re-enroll a high school student, contact the school in advance to understand its requirements, including any documentation it expects for credit transfers.

Support and community

Several organizations serve Delaware homeschool families:

• Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) — statewide support organization with legal information, co-op listings, and community events.
• Delaware Homeschool Network — connects families across the state for co-op activities, field trips, and peer support.
• Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — hslda.org — a national organization that provides legal representation and tracks state law changes. Delaware families can access their state-specific legal summaries.

For questions about the registration process, annual reporting, or your school’s status, the DDOE Nonpublic School support team can be reached through the support request form at education.delaware.gov/families/k12/homeschools-and-private-schools/.