Delaware Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Delaware, based on 14 Del. C. Section 2703A. Delaware is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Single-Family Home School Program, the most common of Delaware's 3 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). Deadline: Enrollment reported via EdAccess system (enrollment window opens after August 11; statutory filing deadline September 30 per 14 Del. C. §2704).
Deadline: Enrollment reported via EdAccess system (enrollment window opens after August 11; statutory filing deadline September 30 per 14 Del. C. §2704)
Send a withdrawal letter
If your child is currently enrolled in school, send a withdrawal letter to child's current school (written notice of withdrawal) and DDOE (homeschool notification form).
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Submit DDOE homeschool notification form and provide written notice of withdrawal to current school. Notification to DDOE should be filed within 14 days of the withdrawal date if occurring during the school year. No mandatory waiting period or approval process — homeschooling may begin upon submission of notification.
Ongoing
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records.
More details
Attendance records must be maintained and reported to DDOE by July 31 each year. Other recordkeeping (curriculum plans, work samples, textbooks/materials) is not mandated by statute but strongly recommended for re-enrollment or college admissions.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by Enrollment by September 30; attendance report by July 31.
Good news
No specific subjects required
Delaware does not specify required subjects for single-family homeschools. The statute requires 'regular and thorough instruction' but does not define which subjects must be taught. Parents have full discretion over curriculum choices, textbooks, and instructional materials. Only the coordinated-with-district pathway requires instruction in 'subjects prescribed for the public schools.'
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- Delaware Department of Education (DDOE)
- Deadline
- Enrollment reported via EdAccess system (enrollment window opens after August 11; statutory filing deadline September 30 per 14 Del. C. §2704)
- How often
- annual
- Official form
- Download / access form
14 Del. C. §2703A
Ongoing requirements
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Attendance records must be maintained and reported to DDOE by July 31 each year. Other recordkeeping (curriculum plans, work samples, textbooks/materials) is not mandated by statute but strongly recommended for re-enrollment or college admissions.
14 Del. C. §2703A
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by Enrollment by September 30; attendance report by July 31
14 Del. C. §2703A
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
Delaware does not specify required subjects for single-family homeschools. The statute requires 'regular and thorough instruction' but does not define which subjects must be taught. Parents have full discretion over curriculum choices, textbooks, and instructional materials. Only the coordinated-with-district pathway requires instruction in 'subjects prescribed for the public schools.'
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Other ways to homeschool in Delaware
This checklist covers Single-Family Home School Program, the most common pathway. Delaware offers 3 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Single-Family Home School Program(this checklist) : You register through the state's EdAccess system between August 11 and September 30, teach core subjects, and report attendance by July 31. No testing, no curriculum approval, and no portfolio reviews are required. This is the most common pathway and the simplest option for a single family.
- •Multi-Family Home School Program : You homeschool together with one or more other families under the same legal framework as the single-family program. A designated liaison handles enrollment and attendance reporting to DDOE for all families involved. Best for families who want to share teaching responsibilities while keeping the same simple compliance structure.
- •Single-Family Homeschool Coordinated with Local School District : You homeschool using a curriculum approved by your local school superintendent, who determines in writing that your child will receive regular and thorough instruction in the subjects prescribed for public schools. This pathway has been largely discontinued in practice, though it remains on the books. Involves more oversight than the standard single-family pathway.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Delaware
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Delaware checklistRequirements sourced from 14 Del. C. Section 2703A. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026