In the 2022-2023 school year, homeschooling accounted for roughly 4-5% of K-12 students statewide. Although homeschooling is becoming more popular because a comfortable environment can help a child achieve better results, mistakes made during the process can cause problems in the future. The experts at Legacy Online School have supported families with online education and homeschooling for over 10 years, and we would be glad to share the basic information every parent should know.
Quick takeaways:
-
Families must register through DDOE’s EdAccess system as a Nonpublic School
-
Delaware requires annual enrollment and attendance reporting
-
Parents issue the high school diploma
Homeschooling in Delaware
Policy review from the Education Policy Analysis Archives shows that administrative reporting models like Delaware’s are primarily designed to ensure accurate compulsory attendance tracking.
Homeschooling in the state of Delaware operates under private school law. Families must register as a Delaware nonpublic school, which means parents function as school administrators while maintaining instructional control.
Legal analysis of Title 14 compliance structures further notes that Delaware does not require standardized testing or district level supervision. This places the state in a narrower administrative compliance category rather than a pedagogical oversight category within comparative state regulation models.
In practical terms, families choose among different types of homeschool structures in Delaware:
All operate under the Delaware nonpublic school classification.
Exploring Legal Advice for Homeschoolers in Delaware
Homeschooling families can consult legal resources to ensure they comply with Delaware’s laws. Organizations like the HSLDA offer support to address any legal questions or concerns.
Delaware homeschool laws are rooted in Title 14 of the Delaware Code and administered through DDOE. A 2024 meta-analysis in the International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research examined multiple studies to see how homeschooling impacts learning motivation and factors influencing family choices. This research pooled findings from 18 studies and found that homeschooled students often show higher learning engagement and intrinsic motivation compared with those in traditional school settings.
How to Start Homeschooling in Delaware?
In the state of Delaware, homeschooling is categorized as a Delaware nonpublic school. This means parents are considered administrators of their own private school. The law applies to students in grades kindergarten through twelve, although compulsory attendance typically begins at age five.
There are different types of homeschool structures families may choose from:
-
Single family homeschool (one household operating independently)
-
Multi family homeschool (two or more families collaborating)
-
Single family homeschool coordinated through an umbrella or organizational structure
Each type must still meet state documentation requirements.
Before instruction begins, parents must register their homeschool as a Delaware nonpublic school through the Delaware Department of Education system. Registration is completed online and establishes the homeschool as a recognized educational entity within the state.
One of the most important homeschool requirements in the state of Delaware involves reporting enrollment and attendance. Families must:
-
Submit enrollment information for each student
-
Maintain attendance records
-
Provide attendance totals at the end of the school year
Attendance must show that the homeschool operates for at least 180 days per year, similar to public school expectations. The state does not require submission of grades or portfolios, but attendance reporting is mandatory.
Once registered, parents have broad freedom in structuring instruction. There are no mandated subjects listed in statute, and no approval of textbooks is required. Families determine curriculum and assessment methods.
Although the state of Delaware does not require transcript submission during homeschooling, families should maintain:
Choosing the Right Homeschool Curriculum
Peer reviewed research published in the Journal of School Choice examining long term academic and civic outcomes of homeschool graduates indicates that student performance is influenced by the level of structure. The analysis found that families who implemented good curricula demonstrated better results than those relying primarily on informal organized instruction.
Longitudinal findings from the Cardus Education Survey further suggest that structured academic planning is associated with stronger postsecondary enrollment patterns.
Experts at Legacy Online School surveyed Delaware homeschool families, and here is what families usually pay attention to:
-
The curriculum is optimized for future levels of education and also helps students develop practical skills for the workforce
- Clear documentation for submission to other institutions.
- Learning built around milestone achievement with ongoing teacher support
- STEM pathway planning for high school students
Enrollment Process for Online Homeschool
Enrolling in an online homeschool program in Delaware involves several key steps to ensure compliance with state regulations.
Parents need to withdraw their students from traditional school after receiving a letter about homeschool registration if the students were in public school.
Delaware Homeschooling Groups and Resources
One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling in Delaware is the freedom to expand learning beyond the home. Delaware provides multiple pathways for homeschoolers to build community and participate in enriching experiences.
Homeschool co-ops are parent organized groups where families share teaching responsibilities and structured activities. In Delaware, co-ops often offer group instruction in science labs, writing workshops, foreign languages, and arts programs. This allows students to benefit from peer interaction while maintaining the flexibility of home education.
Co-ops help create a more well-rounded education by combining academic instruction with teamwork and collaborative projects. Many groups meet weekly or biweekly and follow structured semester schedules.
Because Delaware’s homeschool law focuses primarily on reporting enrollment and attendance rather than curriculum approval, families have freedom to integrate co-op coursework into their overall academic plan.
Field trips are a core part of many homeschool programs. Delaware’s proximity to historical landmarks, museums, and environmental centers creates opportunities for immersive learning.
