guide to homeschool laws by state
Homeschool in Delaware — Laws, Requirements, and How to Start
Delaware is classified as a moderate-oversight state for homeschooling because families must file an enrollment form with their local school district, cover four required subject areas, and meet a 180-day annual attendance requirement. Delaware Code Title 14, Section 2703A governs home instruction in the state. Despite the moderate requirements, Delaware does not mandate standardized testing and does not require portfolio reviews or home visits. Delaware’s small geographic size — only 3 counties — means the local school district contact is straightforward for most families. Delaware has a growing homeschool community centered in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County. compare our enrollment plans
Delaware families looking for structured, faith-based education can explore Zion Academy’s full range of Delaware curriculum and programs serving students in all 50 states.
What Are the Legal Requirements to Homeschool in Delaware?
Delaware requires homeschool families to file an enrollment form with the local school district, provide instruction in four required subject areas, and maintain attendance for a minimum of 180 days per year. Delaware does not require standardized testing, does not mandate portfolio reviews, and does not require a teaching certificate. The enrollment form is the key administrative step.
What Is the Delaware Home Instruction Enrollment Requirement?
Delaware requires families to file an enrollment form with the school district before beginning home instruction. The filing deadline is July 31 for families beginning at the start of the school year. Families who begin homeschooling mid-year must file the enrollment form with the school district before beginning instruction. The enrollment form notifies the district that the child will be receiving home instruction and establishes the family’s legal status under Delaware’s home instruction law. [VERIFY: Check with your local Delaware school district or the Delaware Department of Education for the current enrollment form and any updated filing procedures, as administrative requirements can change. HSLDA.org is also a reliable current reference.] Delaware’s three counties — New Castle, Kent, and Sussex — each have a school district that administers the home instruction enrollment process.
Information typically required on the Delaware home instruction enrollment form includes:
1. The name and address of the parent or guardian
2. The name, age, and grade level of each child being home-instructed
3. A statement that the family will cover the required subject areas
4. The parent’s signature and date
What Subjects Must Delaware Homeschoolers Teach?
Delaware requires home instruction to cover four subject areas. These four subjects represent the state’s minimum academic standard for home instruction. Delaware does not prescribe specific textbooks, curricula, or teaching methods — the choice of how to teach each subject is left to the parent. Families who want comprehensive coverage beyond the minimum requirements typically add additional subjects such as history, foreign language, fine arts, and health.
The four required subjects for Delaware homeschoolers are:
1. Mathematics
2. English and language arts
3. Social studies
4. Science
What Is Delaware’s 180-Day Attendance Requirement for Homeschoolers?
Delaware requires home instruction to be provided for a minimum of 180 days per year. This is the same number of instructional days required of public school students in Delaware. Families are responsible for tracking attendance to document compliance with the 180-day requirement. Delaware does not require families to submit attendance records to the district unless specifically requested, but maintaining accurate records is important in case a question arises. Families using an accredited online school have attendance automatically tracked by the school’s learning management system.
Are Standardized Tests Required for Delaware Homeschoolers?
Delaware does not require standardized testing for home instruction students at any grade level. No test results are required to be submitted to any state or local agency. Delaware homeschool students are not required to participate in Delaware’s Smarter Balanced Assessment or any other state assessment program. Families may choose to use standardized tests for their own academic tracking, but this is entirely optional.
Does Delaware Require a Teaching Degree to Homeschool?
No. Delaware does not require any teaching certificate, college degree, or professional credential for parents who provide home instruction. Any parent may legally homeschool in Delaware regardless of their educational background.
How to Start Homeschooling in Delaware Step by Step
Starting homeschool in Delaware requires filing the enrollment form with the local school district before instruction begins, selecting a curriculum covering the four required subjects, and establishing an instructional schedule that will meet the 180-day requirement. No state approval is required — the enrollment form is informational, not a request for permission.
How Do You Withdraw Your Child from Public School in Delaware?
A Delaware parent withdraws a child from public school by notifying the school directly and filing the home instruction enrollment form with the school district. The school district cannot deny a parent’s right to homeschool. Delaware does not require parents to submit a detailed curriculum plan or educational philosophy statement when filing the enrollment form. Once the enrollment form is filed and the school is notified, instruction may begin.
A Delaware school withdrawal notice should include:
1. The date of the letter
2. The child’s full name, date of birth, and current grade level
3. A statement that the child will be receiving home instruction under Delaware Code Title 14, Section 2703A
4. The effective date of withdrawal
5. The parent’s name, address, and signature
How Do Delaware Homeschoolers Meet the 180-Day Requirement?
Delaware’s 180-day requirement is met by providing formal instruction on at least 180 days throughout the school year. Families do not need to follow the public school calendar — they can school year-round, use a traditional September-through-June schedule, or any other arrangement that results in at least 180 instructional days. Keeping a simple attendance log — noting each day instruction takes place — is the most reliable way to document compliance. An accredited online school automatically records attendance for each day the student engages with coursework, providing built-in documentation.
Strategies for meeting Delaware’s 180-day attendance requirement include:
1. Traditional school calendar — September through June, mirroring the public school year
2. Year-round schooling — distributing 180 days across all 12 months with regular breaks
3. Semester-based calendar — intensive instruction in fall and spring with a summer break
4. Online school enrollment — attendance automatically tracked by the learning management system
What Curriculum Options Work Best for Delaware Homeschool Families?
Delaware homeschool families are free to select any curriculum that covers the four required subjects because the state does not approve or reject specific educational materials. Families may use textbook programs, online programs, classical education, unit studies, or accredited online schools. An accredited online school such as learn about accredited online homeschool program provides structured courses covering all four Delaware-required subjects plus a full high school curriculum, with organized transcripts and a diploma recognized by Delaware colleges and universities.
Common curriculum approaches for Delaware homeschool families include:
1. Accredited online school — all required subjects covered, official transcripts, recognized diploma
2. Traditional textbook curriculum — workbook-based programs organized by subject
3. Classical education — integrates language arts, history, and science across the curriculum
4. Literature-based curriculum — covers language arts and social studies through living books
5. Eclectic approach — selecting the best program for each individual subject
How Do Delaware Homeschoolers Handle Record-Keeping?
Delaware requires families to maintain records of home instruction, including attendance records documenting the 180-day requirement. These records are maintained by the family and are not routinely submitted to the school district. However, maintaining organized records is important because Delaware districts may request them in some circumstances. [VERIFY: Confirm current Delaware record-keeping requirements with your local school district or HSLDA.org.] At minimum, families should keep an attendance log, a list of subjects studied, and records of any materials or curricula used. For guidance on organizing a Delaware homeschool, see homeschool start guide.
What Funding and Resources Help Delaware Homeschool Families?
Delaware has a small but active homeschool community with support organizations serving all three counties. State-level financial support for homeschoolers is limited, and Delaware’s small size means fewer large-scale co-op networks than larger states — but the community is close-knit and well-connected.
Does Delaware Have an Education Savings Account or Voucher Program?
[VERIFY: As of early 2025, Delaware does not have a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) or school choice voucher program available to homeschool families. Delaware has a limited scholarship program for students with special needs, but no universal school choice program open to all homeschool families has been enacted as of the date this page was written. Families should monitor HSLDA and the Delaware Home Education Association for any legislative developments regarding education funding.] Delaware homeschool families currently fund their education through private means.
What Homeschool Co-ops and Support Groups Exist in Delaware?
Delaware’s small size means its homeschool community is more concentrated than in larger states, but the support network is active and accessible. The Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) is the primary statewide resource for Delaware homeschool families, providing community events, legal information, and networking opportunities. Local co-ops in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County offer enrichment classes, field trips, and social activities. Delaware’s proximity to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey means Delaware families also have access to homeschool resources in neighboring states.
Key Delaware homeschool support organizations include:
1. Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) — primary statewide organization
2. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — hslda.org — legal support and advocacy
3. Local co-ops in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County
4. Faith-based homeschool networks throughout Delaware
Can Delaware Homeschoolers Participate in Public School Activities?
[VERIFY: Delaware does not have a statewide law requiring public schools to allow homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities or sports. Individual school districts may have discretionary policies, but there is no statewide mandate as of the current date.] Delaware homeschool families seeking extracurricular programs typically access these through co-ops, private sports leagues, and community organizations. Delaware’s small size makes it easy to access activities in neighboring states as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling in Delaware
Is homeschooling legal in Delaware?
Homeschooling is fully legal in Delaware under Delaware Code Title 14, Section 2703A. Delaware’s home instruction law provides a legal pathway for parents to educate their children at home, provided they file the required enrollment form with their school district and meet the four-subject and 180-day requirements. No government agency has the authority to deny a family the right to provide home instruction once the enrollment process is complete.
Can a Delaware homeschool student receive a diploma?
Yes. Delaware homeschool students can receive a diploma issued by their home instruction program or by an accredited online homeschool program. An accredited diploma is recognized by Delaware colleges, universities, and employers. Delaware family enrollment plans. The University of Delaware and Delaware State University have established processes for evaluating homeschool applications, and an accredited transcript strengthens any admissions application.
Does the 180-day requirement mean Delaware homeschoolers must follow the public school calendar?
No. Delaware’s 180-day requirement specifies the minimum number of instructional days per year, not when those days must occur. Delaware homeschool families may schedule their 180 days across any combination of months, using any calendar structure they prefer — traditional September-through-June, year-round schooling, or any other arrangement. The requirement is about the total number of instructional days, not their timing.
What records should Delaware homeschool families keep?
Delaware homeschool families should maintain at minimum: an attendance log documenting each instructional day (toward the 180-day requirement), a list of subjects and materials covered, and any assessments or evaluations conducted. High school students should also maintain records of courses completed, grades or evaluations received, and any standardized test scores if applicable. These records support college applications and demonstrate compliance with Delaware’s home instruction requirements. Families using an accredited online school have many of these records automatically generated by the school’s system.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects our understanding of current homeschool laws as of 2026. Homeschool laws, regulations, and funding programs change frequently at the state, county, and district level. This page does not constitute legal advice. Families should verify current requirements directly with their state’s department of education, consult HSLDA.org for up-to-date legal guidance, or speak with a qualified attorney before making educational decisions based on this information.
Zion Academy is accepted in Delaware — Families across Delaware choose Zion Academy’s accredited online homeschool program for Christian education from kindergarten through 12th grade. enrollment plans for Delaware families
For a complete overview of homeschool laws across all states, visit dive into state-by-state homeschool laws.