Delaware School Choice Options
Delaware does not offer a state education savings account, voucher, or tax credit scholarship for homeschool families. The Department of Education provides no funding to homeschools. The new federal scholarship tax credit starts in 2027. However, Delaware was not on the IRS list of participating states as of October 22, 2026. Delaware does have a strong public school choice program. It lets families apply to any public district, charter, or vo-tech school, no matter where they live. Students must first register at their assigned school of residence.
Day to day, you pay for your own curriculum and activities. Returning to public school? Public School Choice lets you pick a school beyond your assigned one. The application window for 2027-28 runs November 2, 2026, to January 13, 2027. Homeschoolers cannot play DIAA sports without full-time enrollment. However, a 2026 law asks the state to study opening activities to homeschoolers. Its findings are due by the end of 2027. Homeschool students may also take one free driver education course. In addition, students must be registered in a school at graduation to use state college scholarships. We will update this page if Delaware opts in to the federal credit. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
None for homeschoolers. There are no fees to register a homeschool, and the Department of Education provides no funding for Delaware nonpublic schools (Delaware DOE: Nonpublic School FAQs).
The federal scholarship tax credit (Internal Revenue Code section 25F) begins January 1, 2027, but only in states that opt in. Delaware was not on the IRS list of participating states as of October 22, 2026 (IRS: FSTC Participating States).
Delaware’s School Choice program lets families apply to any public traditional district school, charter school, or vocational-technical school, regardless of home address. Students must first be registered in their school of residence. For the 2027-28 school year, applications open November 2, 2026, and close January 13, 2027. Schools notify families by February 26, 2027, and families must respond by March 19, 2027 (Delaware DOE: School Choice).
No state law gives homeschoolers access to public school classes or activities, so districts decide (HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Delaware). DIAA rules require full-time enrollment at a member school for interscholastic sports (Delaware DOE FAQs). HB 350, signed July 23, 2026, directs a state study of homeschool extracurricular participation, with findings due by December 31, 2027 (HB 350).
Driver education: One free driver education course is available to Delaware resident homeschool students through an adult education program (Delaware DOE FAQs).
College scholarships: Students must be registered in a public or nonpublic school at graduation to use state programs like SEED and INSPIRE (Delaware DOE FAQs). See our Delaware Homeschool Laws page for registration details.
- IRS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Participating States (as of October 22, 2026)
- Delaware Department of Education: School Choice and Nonpublic School FAQs
- HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Delaware
- Delaware General Assembly: HB 350
Last reviewed: November 2, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.