Homeschooling in Delaware: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Delaware asks for one thing from homeschoolers: annual enrollment and attendance reporting through the Department of Education's online portal. Beyond that simple requirement, the state imposes no curriculum mandates, no testing, and no teacher qualifications. You decide what and how to teach; Delaware just wants confirmation that education is happening.

Three legal pathways exist: single-family homeschool, multi-family cooperative, and district-coordinated. Most Delaware families choose the single-family option—file your annual report directly with the DOE and maintain complete independence. The multi-family option works for co-ops wanting to report collectively. District coordination exists for families wanting closer ties to their local school system.

The Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) has been supporting families through this framework for years, and the process is well-established. Once you understand the online reporting system, compliance takes minimal time. This guide walks you through each option and the straightforward steps to get started.

Delaware Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Your Three Homeschool Options in Delaware

Delaware law provides three distinct pathways to legal homeschooling^[1]. Each option has the same core freedoms—no testing, no mandated curriculum—but they differ in structure and reporting mechanisms.

Option 1: Single-Family Homeschool The most popular choice. You educate your own children in your own home, following your own curriculum. You file annual enrollment and attendance reports directly with the Delaware Department of Education. This option offers maximum independence with minimal oversight.

Option 2: Multi-Family Homeschool A cooperative arrangement where multiple families educate together. This can mean shared teaching responsibilities, group classes, or simply families who want to report together. Multi-family homeschools file as a group but still have the same freedoms as single-family homeschools.

Option 3: District-Coordinated Homeschool You work with your local school district to establish your homeschool program. This option provides more structure and potentially access to some district resources, but involves more district interaction. Some families choose this for the added support; others find it unnecessarily complicated.

For most families, Option 1 (single-family) provides the best balance of freedom and simplicity. Unless you have specific reasons to choose otherwise, start there.

Comparing Your Options

How to Start Homeschooling in Delaware

The Annual Reporting Process

Delaware's primary oversight mechanism is the annual enrollment and attendance report filed through the Department of Education's online portal^[3]. This is straightforward administrative compliance, not curriculum review.

What you report: - Basic household information - Names and ages of homeschooled students - Confirmation that instruction occurred - Attendance records (demonstrating regular instruction)

What you don't report: - Curriculum details or subjects taught - Test scores (not required) - Work samples or portfolios - Teaching methods or philosophies

Timing: Reports are typically due annually, with specific deadlines published by the DOE. Set a calendar reminder to avoid missing the deadline—late reporting can create unnecessary complications.

Online system: Delaware uses an online reporting system that requires account creation. The process is designed to be simple, but give yourself time to navigate it the first year. Once you've completed one cycle, subsequent years are quick.

Annual Compliance Checklist

Curriculum Freedom in Delaware

Delaware imposes no subject requirements on homeschoolers. This is genuine curricular freedom—you decide what to teach, how to teach it, and when to teach it. No state official reviews your choices or approves your materials.

What this means practically: You can use any curriculum approach: classical, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, unschooling, online programs, or traditional textbooks. You can emphasize subjects based on your child's interests and needs. You can accelerate in areas of strength and spend extra time on challenges.

What it doesn't mean: Freedom from curriculum mandates isn't license to neglect education. Delaware trusts parents to provide genuine instruction. Most families find that standard homeschool curricula naturally cover the subjects children need: reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, and more.

Practical advice: Choose curriculum that serves your educational goals and your child's learning style. Don't worry about state requirements because there aren't any—focus instead on what your child needs to learn and how they learn best.

Record-Keeping: Required and Recommended

Delaware requires attendance documentation for your annual report. Beyond this legal minimum, thoughtful record-keeping serves your own purposes.

Required: Attendance records demonstrating that instruction occurred regularly throughout the year. The state doesn't specify hours or days—simply evidence of ongoing education.

Recommended: - Curriculum documentation (what you taught, what materials you used) - Work samples (representative work from each subject area) - Reading logs (books completed) - Progress notes (grades, evaluations, observations) - Activity records (co-ops, sports, music, field trips)

Why keep more than required: *For your own planning: Records help you track progress, identify gaps, and plan future instruction. For transitions: If your child re-enrolls in school, applies to college, or moves to another state, thorough records support smooth transitions. For peace of mind:* Complete documentation answers any questions that might arise about your homeschool.

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Delaware homeschool parents set graduation requirements and issue diplomas. There's no state diploma, no mandated credits, and no exit testing.

Diploma authority: You create and issue your child's diploma. This is standard across most states—homeschool diplomas are issued by parents, not governments. Create a formal diploma and consider a graduation ceremony if your family values the milestone.

Transcript creation: For college applications, you'll create transcripts documenting: - Course titles and descriptions - Credits earned (typically 120-180 hours = 1 credit) - Grades and GPA - Extracurricular activities and achievements

Delaware colleges: State universities and community colleges accept homeschool applicants. Requirements vary—most want SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, and possibly additional documentation. Contact admissions offices for specific homeschool policies.

Delaware Technical Community College: Delaware's community college system is accessible to homeschoolers and offers dual enrollment opportunities. Consider this pathway for building transcript credibility and reducing future college costs.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Delaware has no state law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Access depends entirely on individual school district policies.

Current reality: Most Delaware school districts do not permit homeschoolers to participate in athletic programs. Some districts make exceptions; policies vary. If public school sports matter to your family, research your specific district's stance before committing to homeschool.

DIAA (Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association): The governing body for high school sports in Delaware hasn't established statewide homeschool participation policies, leaving decisions to individual schools.

Alternative options: - Homeschool sports leagues and programs - Private club sports and travel teams - Community recreation programs - YMCA leagues - Regional homeschool co-op activities

Legislative status: Some advocacy for equal access continues, but no Tim Tebow-style legislation has passed in Delaware as of 2026.

No State Funding Available

Delaware provides no financial assistance for homeschooling families. There are no ESAs, vouchers, tax credits, or reimbursement programs for homeschool expenses.

What this means: All costs—curriculum, materials, testing (if you choose to test), activities, co-op fees—come from family resources. Budget accordingly.

Free and reduced-cost resources: - Delaware public libraries: Extensive collections, interlibrary loan, digital resources, programs - Free online curricula: Khan Academy, PBS Learning Media, various open educational resources - Used curriculum: Homeschool curriculum fairs, online exchanges, co-op sales - Community resources: Museums, nature centers, historical sites (many offer homeschool programs)

Future outlook: School choice legislation sees occasional proposals in Delaware, but the state has historically not been at the forefront of ESA or voucher programs. Don't expect imminent changes.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Delaware allows homeschooling to begin at any time. Submit your withdrawal letter to current school, register with the DOE, and begin teaching. No waiting period required.

Moving to Delaware: Register with the Delaware DOE upon arrival. The state doesn't require records from your previous state, but maintain them for your own documentation purposes.

Returning to public school: Delaware schools will assess placement based on demonstrated knowledge. Thorough records support appropriate grade placement and help avoid placement disputes.

Special needs students: Homeschooling a child with disabilities requires no special permission in Delaware. You won't automatically receive services from your former school's IEP, but you gain the flexibility to tailor education to your child's specific needs—often more effectively than institutional settings.

Multi-family considerations: If you choose the multi-family homeschool option, establish clear agreements about reporting responsibilities, teaching arrangements, and coordination. Informal co-ops can participate in Option 1 (single-family) without the formal multi-family designation.

The Bottom Line

Delaware's homeschool framework balances accountability with freedom. Annual reporting keeps you on the state's radar, but curriculum independence lets you educate according to your own judgment and your children's needs.

The reporting requirement sounds more burdensome than it is. Create your DOE account, submit your enrollment information, maintain basic attendance records, and file annually. That's the extent of your legal obligation.

Everything else—curriculum choices, teaching methods, pacing, emphasis—is yours to determine. Delaware trusts parents to provide genuine education. Honor that trust with thoughtful, intentional homeschooling, and your family will thrive.