Delaware · Light-touch

Homeschooling in Delaware

Delaware asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearA homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps.

Testing or assessmentNot required

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Delaware

Written from Delaware's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Delaware asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: A homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess.
Cover the subjects the state names
Delaware names 1 subject area to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Delaware does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess
When it is due: A homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: education.delaware.gov/families/homeschooling/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

Delaware does not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later. A note from the state: Delaware's homeschool statute (14 Del. C. §§ 2703, 2703A, 2704) sets no testing requirement. Check with DDOE for current guidance.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Option 3 (coordinated with school district): the local superintendent determines in writing that your child gets regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)). Check DDOE for Options 1 and 2.
Instruction time: Delaware sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Option 1 – Single-Family Homeschool: Child educated primarily by parent(s)/guardian(s) in their home. Annual enrollment report by September 30 and attendance report by July 31 to DDOE (14 Del. C. § 2704).
Option 2 – Multi-Family Homeschool: Multiple families coordinate education in their own homes or other facilities. Must appoint a liaison to the DDOE. Same annual reporting requirements as Option 1.
Option 3 – Single-Family Coordinated with School District: Parent-led education at home using a curriculum approved by the local superintendent or designee, who determines in writing that the child receives regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)).

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas: Check with DDOE and your local school district on diplomas for homeschoolers; the homeschool statute (14 Del. C. § 2703A) does not address diplomas.
College admissions: College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.
Support for additional needs: Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in Delaware

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Delaware education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Delaware

Is homeschooling legal in Delaware?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Delaware. Delaware is considered one of the easiest states for homeschoolers — minimal regulation, no notice required, and maximum family freedom.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware requires families to file a Notice of Intent by A homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Delaware?

Delaware does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Delaware?

Delaware requires instruction in the following subjects: Option 3 (coordinated with school district): the local superintendent determines in writing that your child gets regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)). Check DDOE for Options 1 and 2..

Does Delaware require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. Delaware does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Delaware?

No. Delaware does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Delaware?

Rules about homeschooled students taking part in public school sports and activities differ by state and by district. Check with your local school district and your state athletic association.

Worth knowing about Delaware

Delaware is a low-regulation state. The annual enrollment (by September 30) and attendance (by July 31) reports to DDOE are set by 14 Del. C. § 2704. The statute sets no testing or teacher qualification requirement. Compulsory ages: 5–16 (14 Del. C. § 2702(a)(1)).

Who to ask in Delaware

Regulator: Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess
Official site: education.delaware.gov/families/homeschooling/
Forms: education.delaware.gov/families/homeschooling/

Tools for your first year

The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with Delaware's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits. Free copies carry a small Koydo watermark.No account needed Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.No account needed Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer. A few free pages every day.Free with a Koydo account State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Free with a Koydo account Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Delaware

Written from Delaware's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.

Send your notice of intent

Delaware asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: A homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess.

Cover the subjects the state names

Delaware names 1 subject area to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Delaware does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) — online enrollment and attendance reporting via EdAccess

When it is due

A homeschool is a nonpublic school under 14 Del. C. § 2703A and must report enrollment annually by September 30 and end-of-year attendance annually by July 31 (14 Del. C. § 2704). New homeschools also apply to the Delaware Department of Education to open; check the DDOE homeschool page for the current steps.

How often

Every school year

Notarized?

Official form

education.delaware.gov/families/homeschooling/

Ongoing reporting

Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

Option 3 (coordinated with school district): the local superintendent determines in writing that your child gets regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)). Check DDOE for Options 1 and 2.

Instruction time

Delaware sets no minimum number of days or hours.

Who may teach

No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.

Keeping records

No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.

Legal routes

Option 1 – Single-Family Homeschool: Child educated primarily by parent(s)/guardian(s) in their home. Annual enrollment report by September 30 and attendance report by July 31 to DDOE (14 Del. C. § 2704).
Option 2 – Multi-Family Homeschool: Multiple families coordinate education in their own homes or other facilities. Must appoint a liaison to the DDOE. Same annual reporting requirements as Option 1.
Option 3 – Single-Family Coordinated with School District: Parent-led education at home using a curriculum approved by the local superintendent or designee, who determines in writing that the child receives regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (14 Del. C. § 2703A(b)(3)).

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas

Check with DDOE and your local school district on diplomas for homeschoolers; the homeschool statute (14 Del. C. § 2703A) does not address diplomas.

College admissions

College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.

Support for additional needs

Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in Delaware

No program on file yet

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Delaware

Is homeschooling legal in Delaware?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Delaware. Delaware is considered one of the easiest states for homeschoolers — minimal regulation, no notice required, and maximum family freedom.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Delaware?

How many instruction days are required in Delaware?

Delaware does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Delaware?

Does Delaware require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. Delaware does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Delaware?

No. Delaware does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Delaware?

Rules about homeschooled students taking part in public school sports and activities differ by state and by district. Check with your local school district and your state athletic association.