Delaware Homeschool Requirements
Low regulationEverything Delaware asks of homeschool families, organized by topic. Each point links to the official source we drew it from.
- Topics:
- 12
- Last reviewed:
- June 4, 2026
- Funding programs:
- 0 state · 3 national
Notice / Letter of Intent
Low regulationRequirements to notify the state or local district of intent to homeschool.
Parents must register through the DDOE EdAccess portal for nonpublic schools and send a separate written withdrawal notice to the local district. Registration renewed annually.
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Under 14 Del. Code §2703A, homeschools are classified as nonpublic schools and must register through EdAccess. Separate withdrawal notice to the district is also required. EdAccess does not automatically notify the district.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A — Homeschools defined · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
- Delaware DOE — Homeschooling · State education agency · primary
“Homeschools are classified as nonpublic schools and must register through EdAccess annually.”
Required Subjects
Low regulationSubjects the state mandates be taught.
Instruction required in five subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. No mandated curriculum or approval process.
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The DDOE identifies five core subject areas. 14 Del. Code §2703A(b)(3) references subjects prescribed for public schools, but in practice the five core areas are what DDOE requires.
- Delaware DOE — Homeschooling · State education agency · primary
“Delaware requires homeschools to provide instruction in five subject areas: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.”
Instructional Days / Hours
No state oversightMinimum instructional days or hours per year.
Delaware does not enforce a minimum instructional day requirement for homeschools. The 180-day benchmark appears in EdAccess reporting but is not audited or enforced.
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14 Del. Code §2703A classifies homeschools as nonpublic schools. The 180-day public school minimum is a reporting benchmark, not a hard enforcement requirement for homeschools.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Assessment / Testing
No state oversightStandardized testing, portfolio review, or other assessment requirements.
No standardized testing, portfolio reviews, or assessment submission required for homeschooled students in Delaware.
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14 Del. Code §2703A imposes no testing requirements on single-family or multi-family homeschools. Parents may use any assessments they choose.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Recordkeeping / Portfolio
No state oversightRecords, attendance logs, or portfolios the family must maintain.
No mandatory recordkeeping requirement. Parents are not required to maintain attendance logs, portfolios, or student work for state/district submission.
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14 Del. Code §2703A includes no recordkeeping mandate for single-family or multi-family homeschools. Voluntary recordkeeping recommended for practical purposes.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Parent Qualifications
No state oversightEducation level, certification, or other qualifications required of the teaching parent.
No credential, degree, or certification required. Any parent or legal guardian may homeschool their child.
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14 Del. Code §2703A(b)(2) defines single-family homeschool as education primarily by the parent or legal guardian. No educational qualification specified.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A(b)(2) · Statute · primary
“Single-family homeschool means the education of an individual's own child, primarily by the parent or legal guardian.”
Immunization / Health
Low regulationImmunization, vision/hearing screening, or health requirements for homeschooled students.
Homeschooled children are not subject to public school immunization reporting. Immunization records are the parents' private responsibility.
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14 Del. Code §131 applies to enrolled public school students. Homeschools as nonpublic schools under §2703A are not subject to the same reporting.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Special Needs / IEP
Low regulationProvisions for students with disabilities or IEPs in a homeschool setting.
Homeschool students are deemed parentally placed private school children for IDEA equitable services. Districts must provide child find and proportionate share IDEA funding, but FAPE does not apply.
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14 Del. Code §2703A(a) explicitly states students are deemed parentally-placed private school children for IDEA purposes. The LEA must identify and evaluate but is not required to provide FAPE.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A(a) · Statute · primary
“Students enrolled in homeschools are deemed to be parentally-placed private school children for purposes of providing equitable services under IDEA.”
Withdrawal / Enrollment
Low regulationProcess to withdraw from public school or formally enroll as a homeschool student.
Parents must register through EdAccess AND send separate written withdrawal to the local school/district. Both steps required to avoid truancy issues.
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EdAccess registration creates the state record; a separate withdrawal notice to the school removes the child from district enrollment. Both are required.
- Delaware DOE — Homeschooling · State education agency · primary
“Parents must complete EdAccess registration and send a separate written withdrawal notice to the local school district.”
Compulsory Education Age
Low regulationAge range during which education is compulsory.
Compulsory attendance covers children ages 5 through 16. Once enrolled in a registered homeschool (nonpublic school), the requirement is satisfied.
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14 Del. Code §2702 establishes compulsory attendance for ages 5-16. Registration through EdAccess satisfies the obligation. Children turning 17 are no longer subject to compulsory attendance.
- 14 Del. Code §2702 · Statute · primary
“Every person in charge of a child between the ages of 5 and 16 years shall cause the child to attend a school or receive equivalent instruction.”
Graduation / Diploma
No state oversightRules around issuing a homeschool diploma or equivalent.
Parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts. No state graduation requirements for homeschools and no state registry for homeschool diplomas.
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Like other nonpublic schools, homeschools set their own graduation standards under §2703A. No state-required course list or credit count.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Sports / Extracurricular Access
No state oversightWhether homeschooled students may participate in public school sports or activities.
Delaware has no law allowing homeschoolers to participate in public school sports. The DIAA restricts participation to enrolled public school students. No Tim Tebow law.
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DIAA governs public school interscholastic athletics and restricts to enrolled students. Homeschool families use private leagues and co-op athletic programs.
- 14 Del. Code §2703A · Statute · primary
“For purposes of this chapter, a homeschool is considered a nonpublic school.”
Funding programs for Delaware families
All funding →Curiosity Harbor doesn't award or administer any of these. We track them so you can apply directly with the funder.
National programs
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation · Scholarship · National
High school seniors (homeschoolers eligible), minimum unweighted GPA 3.75, SAT/ACT/AP/IB scores required, maximum household income $95,000. Must apply during senior year (no gap years).
Up to $55,000 · up to $55,000 per year, last-dollar award supplementing institutional aid
HSLDA Curriculum Grant
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) · Curriculum stipend · National
Must hold current HSLDA membership, demonstrate significant financial need, have homeschooled at least one child (ages 6-19) for minimum 3 months, fund homeschool privately (no public funds or ESAs), and have legal custody.
$300 – $400 · per child, may reapply annually
HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) · Disaster relief · National
Must have suffered damage from a regional natural disaster within past 18 months, be homeschooling at least one child aged 6-19, privately fund schooling, and hold a free My HSLDA Account.
Up to $650 · up to $650, delivered by check
Have a question about homeschooling in Delaware?
The assistant answers from these same requirements and cites the official source.
Ask Curiosity HarborThis page is general information, not legal advice. Curiosity Harbor Foundation summarizes Delaware law from the sources cited above; statutes and agency guidance change. Confirm with the official source or your state education agency before making decisions for your family.