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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Delaware

In Delaware a homeschool is a nonpublic school: register it with the Department of Education, then file annual enrollment (September 30) and attendance (July 31) reports.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Delaware at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
Register a nonpublic school with the Department of Education through EdAccess and enroll your children before withdrawing; then report attendance by July 31 and enrollment by September 30 each year (14 Del. C. §2704).
Testing
No
None in 14 Del. C. §§2703–2704 or on the DDOE registration page.
Record-keeping
Required
Annual attendance and enrollment reports to DDOE (14 Del. C. §2704). DDOE does not require an educational portfolio but recommends keeping one for re-enrollment.
Immunization
Not required
Homeschoolers are not required to be immunized. Immunization rules apply to public and private school enrollment (14 Del. C. §131; 16 Del. Admin. C. 4202 §7.1.2).
Required subjects
Yes, 1
Public-school subjects for district-coordinated homeschools and private schools (§§2703, 2703A(b)(3)); none specified for other homeschools
Instruction time
Not specified for homeschools
Parent qualifications
None stated
Compulsory school age
5–16 under 14 Del. C. §2702
DDOE's page says ages 5–18 must be enrolled, and homeschool registration is optional at 16+

Ways to homeschool here: Single-family homeschool · Multi-family homeschool (liaison reports to DDOE) · Single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district (curriculum approved by the superintendent) · Private school

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Overview

Delaware treats a homeschool as a nonpublic school (14 Del. C. §2703A). Students homeschooled under §2703A are exempt from public school attendance (§2703). DDOE reviews and opens nonpublic school applications; public schools will not withdraw a child to a nonpublic school without DDOE’s acknowledgement letter. Using an online school or curriculum is acceptable, but a homeschool must still be opened.

  • Single-family homeschool
  • Multi-family homeschool (liaison reports to DDOE)
  • Single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district (curriculum approved by the superintendent)
  • Private school

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Open (register) a nonpublic school with the Delaware Department of Education through EdAccess and enroll your children before withdrawing from public school; the acknowledgement letter is needed to withdraw. Then report end-of-year attendance by July 31 and enrollment by September 30 each year (14 Del. C. §2704; DDOE).
  • Testing or assessment: None in 14 Del. C. §§2703–2704 or on the DDOE registration page.
  • Records: Annual attendance and enrollment reports to DDOE (14 Del. C. §2704). DDOE does not require an educational portfolio but recommends keeping one for re-enrollment.
  • Subjects: None specified for single-family and multi-family homeschools; district-coordinated homeschools and private schools must provide instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools (§§2703, 2703A(b)(3)).
  • Instruction time: Not specified for homeschools
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 5–16 under 14 Del. C. §2702 (DDOE’s page says ages 5–18 must be enrolled, and homeschool registration is optional at 16+)

A ‘single-family homeschool coordinated with the local school district’ uses a curriculum approved by the local superintendent, who determines in writing that the child is receiving regular and thorough instruction (§2703A(b)(3)).

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.