A parent's guide to homeschooling in delaware

Some families thrive on structure. Others find their rhythm in flexibility. Homeschooling in Delaware gives you a bit of both, with enough guidance to stay on track and the freedom to decide how learning happens day to day.

Whether you’re setting up a full homeschool curriculum or supplementing with enrichment tools like Outschool, this guide breaks down your legal options, required steps, and trusted resources to help you get started with confidence.

Homeschooling options in Delaware

Delaware keeps things simple by offering two homeschool paths. Both fall under the state’s classification of “nonpublic schools,” and each allows families to design their own educational approach.

Single-family homeschool

If you’re planning to teach your child at home, this is the option you’ll use. You’ll register your homeschool online and handle annual attendance and enrollment updates. It’s a straightforward option that lets you move at your own pace while keeping your homeschool in good standing with the state.

Multi-family homeschool

If you’re planning to homeschool alongside other families, Delaware makes space for that, too. In this option, you and another family (or more) work together to teach your children. One parent takes on the role of liaison and handles all the required reporting through EdAccess. This setup can provide shared support while still giving you room to personalize your child’s experience.

Requirements for homeschooling in Delaware

Delaware’s homeschool requirements are refreshingly simple, but there are still a few important steps you’ll need to take each year. These keep your homeschool legally compliant and help everything run smoothly.

Enrollment paperwork

You’ll need to register your homeschool through the state’s online system. This means submitting basic information about your family and your learner, including name, birth date, grade level, and address. After registration, you’ll receive an Acknowledgement Letter, which acts as your official proof of enrollment.

Attendance

There’s no required number of instructional days or specific daily schedule you must follow. Instead, the state asks that you report your child’s total attendance each year by the end of July. You can choose any schedule or rhythm that fits your family, whether that’s a traditional calendar year or something more flexible.

Curriculum guidelines

There’s no approved list or state-developed curriculum to follow. You can build your own program from scratch or use an existing one. 

Recordkeeping

Although you’re not required to turn in grades or lesson plans, it’s a good idea to maintain a file of your child’s progress. This could include report cards, writing samples, or math workbooks. These materials can make transitions smoother if you move back to public school or apply to future programs.

Testing and assessments

Standardized testing is not required in Delaware. However, your child can still participate in exams like the SAT, ACT, PSAT, or APs through private providers. The state doesn’t cover these costs, but you have the option to test independently if it fits your goals.

Homeschool with Outschool

If you’re looking for a flexible way to expand your homeschool curriculum, Outschool can be a great resource! We offer a variety of live and self-paced learning options across subjects and interests, so you can find what works best for your family’s goals and rhythm.

Here’s how Outschool fits into your homeschool routine:

• Live online classes across K-12 core subjects and electives
• Flexible scheduling that works with your family’s pace
• Interest-based topics to keep learning engaging and fun
• Small group sessions that allow for peer interaction
• Self-paced options for independent learners
• Easy tracking of completed classes for homeschool portfolios

Outschool gives you the tools to personalize learning without having to build every piece from scratch.

How to get started

Once you know which homeschool format you're using and what requirements you might need, you’ll follow a few online steps to get everything set up with the Delaware Department of Education.

If you’re starting a single-family homeschool

• Create an EdAccess account and choose the Nonpublic School option
• Log in to the Nonpublic School Application and select the “+School” button
• Enter your homeschool’s basic info and add your child as a student
• Submit your application and wait for approval
• Download your Acknowledgement Letter as proof of registration
• Provide the letter to your child’s current school if a withdrawal is needed
• Begin homeschooling and track attendance for yearly reporting

If you’re joining a multi-family homeschool

• Contact your group’s liaison or administrator to begin enrollment
• The liaison will add your child to the group’s registration in EdAccess
• Once enrolled, request a copy of the Acknowledgement Letter from the liaison
• Share the letter with your child’s previous school if a withdrawal is required
• Follow your group’s shared learning plan and record attendance each year

For a full breakdown of the registration steps or to access official forms, you can visit the Delaware Department of Education’s website anytime.

Find support through homeschool communities in Delaware

Connecting with other homeschooling families can make your experience more enjoyable and a lot less overwhelming. These statewide and local groups offer helpful information, encouragement, and a sense of community.

Statewide organizations

• SEA Homeschoolers: A global secular homeschooling community offering vetted curriculum, expert-led conferences, and support for handcrafting an academic homeschool journey.
• Homeschool Delaware: A private group for current and soon-to-be homeschooling families in and around Delaware. Families with children aged 4+ can join and connect with others through discussions, events, and local updates.
• Delaware Homeschool Resources and Support: This welcoming group shares meetups, field trips, co-op info, and learning ideas. Great for exchanging resources or simply finding encouragement from other parents.

Local groups and co-ops

• Kent County Homeschooler Friends: This group offers weekly meetups, park days, and field trips for families in Kent County and surrounding areas. They’re open to a wide range of homeschooling styles and family backgrounds.
• Sussex Delaware Teen and Tween Homeschool: Aimed at creating social connections for homeschoolers aged 11 and up. This group focuses on meetups and events for tweens and teens in Sussex County.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

It’s normal to have questions when you’re starting (or even continuing) your homeschool journey. These common concerns come up often for Delaware families, and having answers ahead of time can help everything run more smoothly.

Do I need to register my homeschool in Delaware if I’m using an online program or virtual school?

Yes, you still need to register with the Delaware Department of Education. Even if your child is enrolled in an online curriculum, your homeschool must be officially opened through the state’s Nonpublic School System to be recognized.

Is the district-coordinated homeschool option still available?

Although Delaware once offered an option to homeschool with district oversight, this path has been discontinued. While it’s still listed in Delaware’s homeschool statute as of writing, the state no longer supports this model. You’ll want to register under one of the two active options to ensure your homeschool is recognized.

What happens if my child wants to return to public school later on?

If you think your child might re-enroll in public school, it’s a good idea to keep an academic portfolio with samples of work, report cards, or other records. The final placement decision is up to the public school, but having documentation helps support a smooth transition.

Can I homeschool more than one child at the same time in Delaware?

Absolutely. Many families teach multiple children at home. You’ll just need to make sure each child is enrolled under your homeschool in EdAccess and included in your yearly attendance report.

Do I need to keep grades or create report cards for my child?

There’s no legal requirement to submit grades or report cards, but maintaining records is still recommended. This can be helpful for transitions, applying to programs, or tracking your child’s progress year to year.

Can my homeschooled child join public school sports or extracurriculars in Delaware?

No. According to current Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) regulations, students must be enrolled full-time in a public school that is a DIAA member in order to participate in interscholastic sports or extracurricular activities.

Moving forward with confidence and support

From choosing a homeschool format to understanding reporting and recordkeeping, Delaware’s homeschool process is designed to be straightforward. With clear steps and the freedom to decide how learning happens, it’s a path many families find both practical and empowering.

To support you along the way, platforms like Outschool make it easier to explore academic subjects, supplement your core teaching, or keep your learner engaged with topics they love. However you choose to homeschool, you’re not short on options or support.