Delaware vs Maryland: Homeschool Laws Compared

Maryland is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while Delaware requires notice but no testing or evaluation. They differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and compulsory school ages.

Rules compared

9

Differences

6

Same in both

3

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Delaware to Maryland

Once you are a Maryland resident you homeschool under Maryland's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Maryland rather than the state education department.
2. Maryland names 8 required subjects (english, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
3. Maryland requires portfolio review, annually. Delaware had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
4. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Maryland requires one and Delaware did not.
5. Reports go from once a year in Delaware to on request in Maryland.
6. Compulsory school ages are 5-18 in Maryland against 5-16 in Delaware, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.

Moving from Maryland to Delaware

Once you are a Delaware resident you homeschool under Delaware's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in Delaware rather than the local school district.
2. Delaware names no required subjects. Maryland's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
3. Delaware requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Maryland's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
4. Delaware does not require a portfolio. Bring Maryland's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
5. Reports go from on request in Maryland to once a year in Delaware.
6. Compulsory school ages are 5-16 in Delaware against 5-18 in Maryland, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.

What stays the same

Delaware and Maryland match on hours or days per year, ESA funding, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Delaware nor Maryland takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Delaware vs Pennsylvania 7 rules differ
• District of Columbia vs Maryland 3 rules differ
• Florida vs Maryland 5 rules differ
• Maryland vs Pennsylvania 5 rules differ
• Maryland vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Maryland vs West Virginia 6 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 19 states in one table
• States That Require a Homeschool Portfolio All 6 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Progress Reports All 22 states in one table