Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Delaware - a low-regulation state with simple annual enrollment, 180 school days, and no testing or curriculum approval. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Delaware is a low-regulation state for homeschooling with a straightforward compliance process. Under 14 Del. C. Section 2703A, parents must file an annual enrollment form with the Delaware Department of Education, provide 180 days of instruction, and maintain attendance records. That covers the essentials.
There is no standardized testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews, and no teacher qualification requirements. Delaware gives homeschool families significant freedom while maintaining basic registration oversight.
One notable feature: Delaware's compulsory education age ends at 16, which is younger than most states. This means students who turn 16 are no longer required to be enrolled in school or homeschooled.
Delaware's annual enrollment is a simple registration - not an approval process. You file the form and begin homeschooling. The state does not approve or deny your program. The July 31 deadline is the key date to remember each year.
Delaware has a single homeschool compliance path. Parents register with the Delaware Department of Education and provide regular instruction for 180 days per year.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | 14 Del. C. Section 2703A |
| Enrollment | Annual enrollment with Delaware DOE by July 31 |
| Attendance | 180 days of instruction per year |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | None specified (regular and thorough instruction) |
| Curriculum Approval | Not required |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | Attendance records required (keep at home) |
Delaware's enrollment is a simple registration, not an approval. You submit the Home School Annual Enrollment form to the Delaware DOE, which includes your contact information, your child's name and grade level, and a certification that your program meets requirements. There is no review or approval step - filing the form satisfies the requirement.
Unlike many states, Delaware does not list specific required subjects. The law requires "regular and thorough instruction" but leaves the subject matter to parents. Most families cover core academics (reading, writing, math, science, social studies) but you have complete flexibility in what and how you teach.
Starting to homeschool in Delaware is a simple three-step process.
Obtain the Home School Annual Enrollment form from the Delaware Department of Education. Submit it by July 31 for the upcoming school year, or before you begin homeschooling if starting mid-year.
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, send a withdrawal letter to the school. This formally removes your child from enrollment and prevents truancy concerns.
Start your homeschool program. You need to provide 180 days of instruction per year and maintain attendance records. Choose your own curriculum, set your own schedule, and teach at your own pace.
Make sure your enrollment form is filed before you begin homeschooling. The July 31 deadline applies to the upcoming school year. If you are starting mid-year, file the enrollment form before your first day of homeschool instruction.
Blue Folder can generate your withdrawal letter and remind you of enrollment deadlines, pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
Blue Folder handles this for you
Generate your withdrawal letter, track attendance days, and stay organized automatically.
Delaware does not mandate specific subjects. The law requires "regular and thorough instruction" but does not enumerate which subjects must be covered. This gives Delaware homeschool families complete flexibility in designing their educational program.
While not legally required, most Delaware homeschool families cover these core areas:
Many families also include these subjects for a well-rounded education and college preparation:
You choose your own curriculum materials and teaching methods. There is no state approval or review of what you use. Options include textbooks, online programs, unit studies, unschooling, classical education, or any combination that works for your family.
For college-bound students, covering a well-rounded set of subjects is highly recommended regardless of what the law requires. The University of Delaware and Delaware State University expect transcripts that include English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language.
Delaware requires 180 days of instruction per year. This is the primary compliance metric for Delaware homeschool families. There is no minimum hourly requirement per day - just the total number of days.
You set your own schedule entirely. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar. You can school year-round, take breaks whenever you want, or use a non-traditional schedule.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Days Required | 180 per year |
| Hours Per Day | Not specified |
| Attendance Records | Required - keep at home |
| Submit Records | No - keep for your files |
Track your school days consistently throughout the year. Blue Folder's attendance calendar makes it easy to log days, see your running total, and ensure you hit 180 days before your school year ends. Try it free →
Delaware requires no annual evaluation, testing, or assessment of homeschool students. There are no standardized tests, no portfolio reviews, no progress reports, and no evaluations to submit to anyone.
Your primary compliance obligations are the annual enrollment form and the 180-day attendance requirement. Beyond that, you are the sole judge of your child's educational progress.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:
Delaware's compliance requirements are among the simplest in the country: file your annual enrollment by July 31, provide 180 days of instruction, and keep attendance records. That is the entire legal obligation.
Delaware requires you to maintain attendance records, but these are kept at home and do not need to be submitted to anyone. Beyond attendance, there are no other record-keeping requirements mandated by law.
Blue Folder tracks attendance, organizes work samples, and builds a compliance binder automatically. Even in a low-regulation state like Delaware, staying organized makes your life easier - especially when it comes time for college applications. Try it free →
If your child is college-bound, detailed records become essential. Parents create their own transcripts in Delaware. Include courses, grades, credits, and GPA. The University of Delaware and Delaware State University accept homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts and standardized test scores.
Delaware currently offers no financial assistance programs for homeschool families. There are no ESAs, vouchers, tax credits, or tax deductions available.
| Program | Available? |
|---|---|
| Education Savings Account (ESA) | No |
| Vouchers | No |
| Tax Credits | No |
| Tax Deductions | No |
| Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | $300-$1,500/year |
| Testing (optional) | $25-$75/test |
| Co-op Fees | $0-$500/year |
Delaware homeschool graduates are accepted at colleges throughout the state and nation. Key Delaware institutions include:
Requirements vary by institution - contact admissions directly for homeschool graduate policies.
Delaware has one critical annual deadline for homeschool families. Mark it on your calendar and set a reminder.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| July 31 | Annual enrollment due | Submit Home School Annual Enrollment form to Delaware DOE. This is the most important deadline of the year. |
| Before starting (mid-year) | Enrollment form | If starting homeschool mid-year, file enrollment form before beginning instruction. |
| Before withdrawing | Send withdrawal letter | Required only if child is currently enrolled in public school. Begin homeschool immediately after. |
| Throughout the year | Track 180 school days | Maintain attendance records to document your 180 days of instruction. |
| When you decide | Graduation | Parents determine when the student has met graduation requirements and issue the diploma. |
The July 31 enrollment deadline is the single most important date for Delaware homeschool families. Set a reminder for early July so you have plenty of time to complete and submit the form. Blue Folder sends automatic deadline reminders so you never miss a filing date.
Delaware homeschool law is straightforward, but new families sometimes run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
Your annual enrollment form is your primary legal protection. Keep a copy of every form you submit and any confirmation from the Delaware DOE. This documentation proves that you are a registered homeschool family operating within the law.
Don't make these mistakes
Blue Folder tracks every requirement and keeps your records organized automatically.
Track Delaware ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Delaware Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see the Delaware Department of Education. Last updated February 2026.