Homeschooling in Delaware

Hi, my name is Heather and I am the Time4Learning state representative for Delaware. I am the mother of 7 children, ranging in age from 23 years to 18 months, and also grandmother to 2 more, who live with us currently. I love to learn and spend any free time I have reading a book, learning a skill, or taking a class. I am drawn to technology, dabbling in website development and computer programming, with a love for gadgets.

The oldest three began their school career in public school, but we eventually brought them home after it became clear that the schools were not meeting their needs. All three had been placed in the gifted program, and the second one also had some special needs. Our 3rd child (and only daughter) just finished her first year of college after graduating from our homeschool. This year, we have had a 5th grader, a 3rd grader, and a brand new preschooler. The two elementary aged children are doing T4L.

If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in Delaware, contact the Delaware Parent Forum.

Delaware Homeschooling Laws

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family’s story and how they meet the homeschooling laws in Delaware. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.

Support and Requirements for Homeschooling In Delaware

Having moved from a state that was not always friendly to homeschoolers (California), it is nice to be in a state with minimal legal requirements and lots of support. Homeschooling is quite accepted here, with many people aware of someone close to them who homeschools or has homeschooled. We also have access to many opportunities as homeschoolers, from nature classes at the state parks to homeschool days at the roller rinks and bowling alleys.

In Delaware, you can register with an umbrella school, or as an independent homeschool family - - technically a non-public school. To register your homeschool independently, you contact Vicki Fjelsted-Fields at the Department of Education and request an non-public school registration form. Each year, you are required to complete and submit the registration form in the fall, and a form verifying attendance in the summer. If you choose to register with an umbrella school, the school would handle this contact with the Board of Education and you would submit whatever records that school requires. A third option is to work with a school districts superintendant, but I have yet to meet a family using this option.

How We Get Involved Locally

I am most actively involved in a local Christian Co-op, W.A.V.E. Our family has attended since the co-op began in the fall of 2004. I created the group's website for the fall 2006 session and have served as the webmaster since then. I serve on the groups board of directors and have taught classes most sessions.

The first support group I joined when I found out we were moving to Delaware was SHERD. It is not as physically active as it was in 2002, we used to have montly luncheons and weekly park days, but I believe it is still the largest group in central Delaware, so a great place to share information. Another list that seems to have some knowledgeable parents is the Yahoo group: DEHS families. There is a state homeschooling organization (Delaware Home Education Association), but I am not sure if it is active at the moment.

If you have more questions about homeschooling in Delaware, or want to learn more about our experiences in the state, you can contact me in the Delaware Parent Forum.