School Choice

Delaware’s school choice program allows families living in Delaware to apply to enroll their children in any Delaware public traditional school district, charter school or vocational-technical school, regardless of their home address. With a few exceptions, families must choice students into schools during the school choice application window, which takes place from the first Monday in November until the second Wednesday in January for the following school year.

Steps to School Choice

Step 1

Find Your School of Residence

All students must first be registered in their school of residence before they can be considered for Choice.

Step 2

Explore School Options

Explore districts, public schools, charter schools, and vo-techs. Use the Explore Delaware Schools Portal to find more information on school performance.

Step 3

Apply During the School Choice Window

Submit your School Choice application(s) through the online portal.  You can apply to multiple schools. Carefully review the information on the application for each school for required information and/or additional documents they may request.

Step 4

Review Your School Decision

Schools notify families of their Choice status by the last day of February.  You will have until the 3rd Friday in March to respond.  If you have multiple invitations, you can only accept one. If you have been waitlisted, you will remain on that waitlist until the first day of the applying school year, even if you accept an invitation to another school.

Important Dates

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School Year Application Period Opens Application Period Closes Schools Notify Families Deadline to Accept or Decline
2027 – 2028 November 2, 2026 January 13, 2027 February 26, 2027 March 19, 2027
2028 – 2029 November 1, 2027 January 12, 2028 February 29, 2028 March 17, 2028
2029 – 2030 November 6, 2028 January 10, 2029 February 28, 2029 March 16, 2029
2030 – 2031 November 5, 2029 January 9, 2030 February 20, 2030 March 15, 2030

School Choice FAQs

What is Delaware’s School Choice Program?

Delaware’s School Choice Program allows families living in Delaware to apply for their child to attend a public school outside of their assigned school of residence. This includes traditional public schools, charter schools, and vocational-technical schools.

No. Delaware families may apply to schools outside their attendance zone, district, or feeder pattern through the School Choice process.

No. Acceptance depends on available capacity and the school’s enrollment policies. Some schools may receive more applications than available seats and may use a lottery or waitlist process.

Schools notify families of invitation or placement decisions by February 26, 2027.

Parents must respond to acceptance offers by March 19, 2027. Failure to respond by the deadline may result in the seat being offered to another student.

FAQs by Topic Area

Where do I submit a School Choice application?

Applications are submitted through SchoolChoiceDE.org, Delaware’s online School Choice portal. Families can apply, edit applications, and monitor application status through the website.

Can I apply to more than one school?

Yes. Families may submit multiple School Choice applications and later decide which offer to accept if invited.

Do I need to register my child in their assigned school before applying for School Choice?

Yes. If your child is not already enrolled in a Delaware public school, you must first register or pre-register with your school of residence before submitting a School Choice application.

How can I find my child’s school of residence?

The Delaware Department of Education provides a School Locator tool that allows families to identify their assigned school based on their home address

What if I miss the January School Choice deadline?

Families who miss the standard application window may still apply under a Good Cause exception. Delaware law allows applications outside the regular window for qualifying circumstances.

What is considered “Good Cause”?

Examples may include:

Good cause is defined in 14 Del.C. § 402 (2) as:

  • a change in a child’s residence due to a change in family residence;
  • a change in the state in which the family residence is located;
  • a change in a child’s parent’s marital status;
  • a change caused by a guardianship proceeding;
  • placement of a child in foster care;
  • adoption;
  • a change in a waitlist offer as defined in § 405(c) and (d) of this title;
  • participation by a child in a foreign exchange program;
  • a reported, recorded, and substantiated instance of “bullying” against their child as defined in § 4161 of this title; or 14 Del.C. §4161
  • participation by a child in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program.

Schools review Good Cause requests individually. Families may be asked to provide documentation explaining why they missed the standard application period.

How long can Good Cause applications be submitted?

Good Cause applications may be submitted after the regular application period and are generally accepted throughout the school year, depending on school capacity and applicable regulations.

Are kindergarten School Choice applications different?

Yes. Many districts and charter schools continue accepting kindergarten School Choice applications beyond the regular January deadline if capacity remains available.

What age must my child be to enter kindergarten?

Children must be five years old on or before August 31 of the school year in which they will enroll in kindergarten.

What documents are typically required for kindergarten registration?

Families generally need:

  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of residency
  • Parent/guardian photo ID
  • Health and immunization records
  • Custody documents (if applicable)

Will transportation be provided if my child attends a choice school?

Transportation policies vary by district and charter school. Families should contact the school directly to determine transportation availability and eligibility.

If transportation is not available, who is responsible?

Parents or guardians are responsible for transporting students to the school or to an established bus stop serving the school.

What happens if my child is placed on a waitlist?

Schools may maintain waitlists when more students apply than available seats. If openings occur, schools may offer seats to students on the waitlist.

Can a school close to School Choice applications?

Yes. Schools may restrict or close School Choice admissions if they are at or above capacity. Available seats may vary by grade level.

If I receive multiple acceptance offers, can I accept all of them?

No. Families may only accept one offer. Accepting one placement generally results in other applications being declined or withdrawn. If the student was waitlisted in another school, they will remain on that waitlist even if accepting an invitation from another school.

Can I apply to a different school within my own district?

Yes. School Choice can be used for both:

  • Intra-district choice (another school within your district)
  • Inter-district choice (a school in a different district)

Does School Choice affect special education services?

Students with disabilities continue to have the same rights under federal and state law in any public school they attend in Delaware.

Who should I contact if I need help with my application?

Families can:

  • Contact the Delaware Department of Education School Choice office.
  • Contact the district or charter school directly.
  • Visit SchoolChoiceDE.org for application resources and status updates.

If you are interested in private schools or home schools please visit the Delaware Department of Education nonpublic school website.