How to Start Homeschooling in Delaware
Are you thinking about making the switch to homeschooling? You’re not alone! Many parents are seeking more flexibility and autonomy than traditional schools can provide.
Delaware’s homeschooling laws are simple to follow. Parents only need to report enrollment and attendance in the First State. If you’ve homeschooled before, or you’re wondering how to get started, we’ll cover everything about homeschooling in Delaware!
Homeschooling in Delaware at a Glance
Delaware – The First State
| Option | Single Family Homeschool | Multi-Family Homeschool |
| Required Age | 5-16 | 5-16 |
| Standardized Testing | Not required | Not required |
| Subjects | None required | None required |
| Time Requirements | None | None |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by parent | Determined by instructor |
| Special Requirements | Parent is responsible for reporting enrollment and attendance | An appointed liaison is responsible for reporting enrollment and attendance for all students in the homeschool |
| Financial Resources Available | No | No |
First, we’ll begin by going over the options available for homeschooling in DE. The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) currently recognizes three types of nonpublic schools: single-family homeschools, multi-family homeschools, and private schools. We will discuss both single-family and multi-family homeschools in depth for this article.
Option 1: Single-Family Homeschool
When parents provide the majority of instruction at the family’s home, and the students are related to each other as siblings, it is a single-family homeschool.
A benefit to a single-family homeschool is that you do not have to appoint a state liaison, as the parent will be the liaison by default. With smaller class sizes, single-family homeschools can enjoy a more tailored and personalized approach for each student.
Option 2: Multi-Family Homeschool
The DDOE considers it a multi-family homeschool if instruction takes place mostly outside of the family home, and not all children are related as siblings. This can be in the form of co-ops and homeschool groups.
A benefit of multi-family homeschools is that they can help reduce some of the parental workload. Instead of teaching every day, parents can take turns hosting or instructing classes. Multi-family homeschools also provide students with more opportunities to make new friends and participate in group activities.
Multi-family homeschools tend to have larger class sizes than single-family schools. While this can make it more difficult to ensure every student’s needs are met, it also means there are more adults and peers available to support each child.
Parent Qualifications
The State of Delaware doesn’t require any qualifications for homeschool instructors at this time.
Notice of Intent
All nonpublic schools are required to report enrollment to the DDOE. To do this, you’ll first need to register your homeschool with the DDOE and enroll your student. This needs to be done before you withdraw your child from public school.
If you are in a single-family homeschool, the parent is responsible for this reporting. The enrollment reporting window is open annually from August 10th to October 5th. To apply for the nonpublic school application, you’ll need to follow the steps below:
- Apply for an EdAccess account. After receiving the confirmation email, set up the two-factor authentication. This authentication will happen every time you log in to your account.
- Log into the Nonpublic School (NPS) Application via EdAccess. Once you open the application, you’ll need to fill in demographic information about your school and assign yourself as the parent of the students you’ve enrolled. After you save and submit, the application status will be Pending.
- Print your Acknowledgement Letter. This letter serves as proof your homeschool is registered and your students are enrolled. Public schools will reject your withdrawal request if you do not provide this letter. If your student has never been enrolled in a Delaware public school, simply keep the letter for your records.
If you need further assistance with your EdAccess enrollment, you can visit the DDOE’s Nonpublic School Registration page.
If you are in a multi-family homeschool, the appointed state liaison is responsible for reporting enrollment. The liaison must add your student to the enrollment form and provide you with a copy of the acknowledgement letter. Each multi-family homeschool is different, so be sure to get in contact with the liaison for next steps.
When you decide to close your nonpublic school, be sure to submit notice for that as well. You can do this in the Support Request Form in the EdAccess portal. After you notify the DDOE of your homeschool closure, be sure to print the Letter of Acknowledgment for the closure.
If you decide to start homeschooling in Delaware after the initial enrollment window, you can find out more about enrolling in person by calling 302-241-2820 to set up an appointment.
Another important note is that homeschooling does not exempt your child from any existing truancy case. If your child has an open case, the DDOE can reject your application. It’s best to ensure your child stays compliant with compulsory attendance laws up until withdrawal to avoid truancy issues.
Attendance
There is no requirement for the days or hours of instruction for families homeschooling in Delaware. Parents can teach for however long it takes to cover the material. This allows for both flexibility and freedom when it comes to scheduling.
However, you do need to take daily attendance for each day you provide instruction. All Delaware nonpublic schools need to report enrollment at the beginning of the year (see the Notice of Intent section) and submit attendance at the end of the year. The attendance report becomes available online on June 1st and is due by July 31st. You can file this report in your EdAccess account.
Homeschool Curriculum
The DDOE does not provide, approve, or monitor any curricula for homeschool students. That means parents have full control over what their child studies.
Parents are responsible for providing all lesson plans, subjects, and instructional materials. You can use a homeschool curriculum you find online, or you can create your own curriculum.
Accredited Homeschool Programs
Choosing the best homeschool curriculum can be hard with so many options! If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. Miacademy’s online homeschool curriculum is accredited by the ACS-WASC, and can help you meet state requirements with little need for supplementation.
Testing
Homeschool students in Delaware are not subject to state standardized testing. However, we strongly recommended that high school students take college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT.
Record Keeping
The State of Delaware does not require record keeping. However, it’s still a good idea to keep some records on hand. A homeschool portfolio is a great way to keep important information safe and organized. Items to keep in a homeschool portfolio can include:
- Attendance
- Test scores
- Courses taken
- Final grades earned
- Copies of all correspondence with the DDOE
We suggest keeping at least 2 years’ worth of records in your homeschool portfolio. It’s also a good way for you to keep track of your student’s progress through the years.
Transcripts
Highschool transcripts are often necessary for college applications. It’s important to keep a list of all the courses, credit hours, final grades, and test scores from grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.
Graduation Requirements
Public school graduation requirements do not apply to homeschooled students in Delaware. Instead, parents get to determine when their child is ready to graduate. Students have the unique opportunity to study career-related courses before they even graduate!
Nonpublic school students are not eligible for a state diploma, so it’s up to parents to provide a diploma. Some homeschool students opt to get their GED, which is recognized in all 50 states as a high school diploma equivalent. Resident students aged 18 and older (or with parent permission) are eligible to take the test to earn their GED.
Financial Resources
There is currently no funding available from the Delaware Department of Education for nonpublic schools. However, we encourage you to search for private grants or scholarships that you may qualify for.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in Delaware, check out:
- The DDOE’s Homeschool and Private Schools page
- The Homeschool Mom for information about co-ops and homeschool groups
If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Delaware homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.
FAQ
How do I homeschool my child in Delaware?
To homeschool in Delaware, you’ll need to determine whether you’ll use a single-family or multi-family homeschool. Then, either you or the appointed liaison (for multi-family schools) will need to report enrollment and attendance annually.
Can you homeschool in Delaware?
Yes! Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and Delaware has some of the least restrictive laws on home education.
Information accurate as of: 07/23/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.