by Rita Onyx
This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.
There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.
Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Delaware. Know the Delaware homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.
Quick Facts:
There are 3 ways to homeschool:
- Single-family
- Multi-family
- Single-family coordinated with the local school district
Requirements:
- Children between 5-16 of age must be in school
- You must notify your local school district of your intentions to homeschool
- There are NO teacher qualifications
- There are NO state mandated subjects
- There are NO required assessments or testing
- There are NO immunization requirements
How to Homeschool as a Single-Family
Definition: a child who is educated primarily by their parents or legal guardians in their own home
- Report student enrollment as of the last school day in September, on or before October 5th of every year
- Report end-of-year attendance yearly on or before July 31
How to Homeschool as Multi-Family
Definition: children who are from more than one family and educated primarily by the children’s parents or legal guardians in their own homes or in other facilities
- Must appoint one person to act as a liaison to the Department of Education
- Report student enrollment as of the last school day in September, on or before October 5th of every year
- Report end-of-year attendance yearly on or before July 31
- The liaison must submit the attendance and enrollment forms
How to Homeschool as a Single-Family Coordinated with the Local School District
Definition: a child who is educated primarily by their parents or legal guardians in their own home in coordination with the local school district.
- Contact the superintendent of the local public school district and notify them in writing of your intent to provide regular and thorough instruction in the SAME SUBJECTS that are taught in the public schools and in a manner that is age-appropriate and in the proper stage of advancement
- Report student enrollment as of the last school day in September, on or before October 5th of every year
- Report end-of-year attendance yearly on or before July 31
Helpful links:
Enrollment and Attendance Forms: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/3983
http://www.homeschoolingindelaware.com/
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/delaware.html
Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education
- Delaware Department of Education
The Townsend Building
Suite Two
401 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901-3639
Phone: (302) 735-4000
Fax: (302) 739-4654
Website: http://www.doe.k12.de.us
Nonpublic School Office Email: non-public.schools@doe.k12.de.us
- U.S. Department of Education, Delaware