Homeschool Support Organizations in Delaware: Co-ops, Groups & Resources

Delaware’s homeschool community is strong, well-established, and welcoming. Organizations ranging from decades-old advocacy groups to active co-ops and resource centers provide curriculum guidance, peer support, group instruction, field trip coordination, and community. You don’t have to homeschool alone.

Key Takeaways

• FLA (Family Learning Alliance): Oldest organization (since 1984); advocacy, curriculum review, family events
• Walnut Grove Co-op: Active group instruction 2x/week; established peer community
• R.E.A.C.H.: Resource lending library, classes, and parent support
• DHEA (Delaware Home Education Association): Newer advocacy organization; curriculum guidance
• Outschool: Online enrichment and specialized classes available to all homeschoolers
• Co-ops vary: Join for group instruction, peer community, and accountability
• Most organizations: $50–$600/year membership or participation fees
• Cost-sharing: Many families coordinate field trips and resource sharing to reduce expenses

Major Delaware Homeschool Organizations

FLA (Family Learning Alliance)

History: Founded 1984; Delaware’s oldest homeschool organization

Mission: Support, advocacy, and community for Delaware homeschoolers

Services:

• Monthly family meetings and socials
• Curriculum reviews and recommendations
• Member discounts on curriculum (especially during annual sale)
• Co-op directory and connections
• Advocacy and legal support
• Newsletter and resource sharing
• Field trip opportunities
• New family mentoring

Cost: $50–$200/year membership (sliding scale available)

Who attends: Mixed philosophy homeschoolers (classical, Charlotte Mason, eclectic, unschooling)

Time commitment: Monthly meeting + optional events

Why join: Longest-established; strong advocacy voice; community connection; curriculum resources

Contact: Search “Family Learning Alliance Delaware” or ask local homeschool groups

Benefits of FLA membership:

• Access to experienced homeschool parents
• Curriculum buying power (group discounts)
• Legal/advocacy support if issues arise
• Community of like-minded families
• Tried-and-tested curriculum recommendations

Walnut Grove Co-op

History: Established co-op; 20+ years in Delaware

What it is: Group instruction co-op with 2x/week meetings

Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday mornings/afternoons (varies by grade level)

Classes offered:

• K-2: Core academics, enrichment
• 3-5: Literature, history, science, math enrichment
• 6-8: English, history, science, electives
• 9-12: Advanced subjects, AP prep, electives

Cost: $300–$600/year (varies by participation level)

Parent responsibility: Most classes are taught by experienced parents; some parent involvement expected

Community: Strong peer relationships; families often grow together K-12

Additional activities:

• Monthly family socials
• Quarterly field trips
• End-of-year celebration
• Parent support network

Why join:

• Built-in peer group
• Structured instruction without full-time school
• Parent community and accountability
• Access to experienced teachers
• Professional-quality group instruction

Contact: Search “Walnut Grove Co-op Delaware” or ask local homeschool groups

Typical experience:

• Child attends Tuesday/Thursday group classes
• Home academics M, W, F
• Field trips monthly or quarterly
• Friendships develop through repeated contact
• Parents support each other

R.E.A.C.H. (Regional Educational and Community Helpers)

What it is: Resource and support organization with lending library, classes, and community

Services:

• Curriculum lending library: Borrow textbooks, workbooks, materials (saves hundreds $)
• Group classes: Various subjects and enrichment courses
• Parent support network: Monthly meetings, discussion groups
• Specialist connections: Tutors, therapists, evaluators
• Field trip coordination: Organized group outings
• New family mentoring: Guidance for starting homeschoolers

Cost: $200–$400/year membership

Library features:

• Hundreds of titles available to borrow
• Low-cost option for trying curriculum before buying
• Seasonal lending (summer, breaks)
• Exchange system with other co-ops

Why join:

• Library saves money (especially valuable in first year)
• Flexible participation
• Parent support crucial during difficult seasons
• Resource sharing with other families
• Access to experienced families

Contact: Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA) or search “R.E.A.C.H. Delaware”

Real cost-benefit:

• Membership: $300/year
• Library borrowing (instead of buying): saves $500–$1,000/year
• Net savings: $200–$700/year just from lending library

DHEA (Delaware Home Education Association)

What it is: Advocacy and resource organization focused on homeschool rights and support

Services:

• Advocacy: Monitors legislation; defends homeschool rights
• Curriculum guidance: Reviews and recommendations for all philosophies
• Legal support: Questions about Delaware law, rights, disputes
• Parent workshops: Training on assessment, special needs, teaching methods
• Resource directory: Co-ops, specialists, field trip sites, vendors
• Newsletter: Monthly updates and news
• Network support: Facebook groups, email lists

Cost: Typically low or free for basic access

Why join:

• Legal support if superintendent causes issues
• Advocacy work (protects all homeschoolers)
• Curriculum expertise
• Parent education and training
• Network and community

Contact: Search “Delaware Home Education Association” or “DHEA Delaware”

Specialized Organizations & Resources

Outschool

What it is: Online marketplace for class instructors offering live group classes in any subject

Options for homeschoolers:

• Enrichment classes (art, writing, languages, STEM, etc.)
• AP test prep courses
• Specialized tutoring
• One-time workshops or ongoing courses

Cost: $10–$80/class; pricing varies by instructor and course length

Age range: K-adult

Why use:

• Specialized instruction you may not be able to provide
• Peer interaction (small group online)
• Flexibility (schedule around your homeschool)
• Quality instruction from specialists

Example uses:

• Child taking AP prep for subject you’re not confident teaching
• Enrichment in child’s interest area
• One-on-one tutoring for struggling area
• Special topics (coding, advanced math, literature seminar, etc.)

Local Co-Ops & Informal Groups

Beyond major organizations, many local informal co-ops exist:

What they are:

• 2–8 families meeting regularly
• Sometimes teacher-led; sometimes parent-led
• Often free or minimal cost ($50–$200/year)
• Topic-specific (nature walks, Shakespeare study, math co-op, etc.)
• Location-specific (Wilmington area, Dover area, coastal Delaware groups)

How to find:

• Ask at FLA, Walnut Grove, R.E.A.C.H.
• Facebook: Search “Delaware homeschool” + your town
• Nextdoor app: Neighborhood homeschool groups
• Referral from other homeschool families

Benefits:

• Tight peer group
• Often lower cost than larger co-ops
• Customized to group interests
• Less bureaucracy

Curriculum Guidance & Reviews

Who Provides It

FLA: Veteran homeschoolers review curriculum annually; strong opinions based on experience

DHEA: Curriculum reviews across philosophies; tries to help match family to curriculum

R.E.A.C.H. members: Share reviews and recommendations

Walnut Grove Co-op: Teachers familiar with what works in group settings

How to Get Guidance

1. Attend organization meetings: Talk to experienced families
2. Ask your co-op instructor: They know what works
3. Facebook groups: Delaware homeschool groups often share recommendations
4. Trial before buying: Use library to try curriculum (FLA book fair, R.E.A.C.H. lending)

Parent Support & Community

Why It Matters

Homeschooling can be isolating. Parent support:

• Validates your approach
• Provides accountability
• Creates friendship and community
• Reduces burnout
• Offers perspective when you’re struggling
• Celebrates wins with people who understand

Where to Find Support

In-person:

• Co-op meetings and socials
• FLA family events (monthly)
• R.E.A.C.H. parent groups
• Informal coffee meetups with other homeschool families

Online:

• Facebook: “Delaware homeschool” groups (search for your specific area)
• Email lists and newsletters from organizations
• Outschool parent communities
• National homeschool groups (Heart of Americana, Simple Homeschool, etc.)

Professional:

• Parent coach specializing in homeschool (Outschool offers coaching)
• Homeschool consultant for curriculum or method questions
• Therapist if burnout or family stress is significant

Special Interest Groups

Some Delaware homeschool communities organize around specific interests:

Examples (check Facebook or ask organizations):

• Nature study co-op (outdoor learning focus)
• Classical homeschool co-op (classical education philosophy)
• Special needs co-op (support for learning differences)
• Unschooling group (interest-driven families)
• High school co-op (advanced coursework, college prep)
• Faith-based co-ops (Christian, Jewish, other faith communities)

Financial Assistance & Scholarships

Co-Op Scholarships

Some co-ops offer sliding scale fees or scholarships for low-income families. Ask when inquiring.

Curriculum Assistance

• FLA book fair: Used curriculum sold cheaply (annual event)
• R.E.A.C.H. lending library: Borrow instead of buy
• Co-op resource sharing: Families lend materials to each other
• Facebook buy/sell groups: Used curriculum at low cost
• Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op: Bulk buying discounts

529 & Coverdell Deductions

Use tax benefits to fund organization memberships and classes:

• 529 plan deduction ($6,000/taxpayer/year Delaware)
• Coverdell ESA ($2,000/year/child)
• Use these accounts to pay co-op fees, class tuition, enrichment costs

Choosing Which Organizations to Join

Year 1 (Starting Out)

Recommendation: Join ONE co-op or organization to get grounded

Options:

• FLA ($50–$200): Lowest cost; parent support; not instruction-based
• Walnut Grove ($300–$600): Group instruction; community; higher cost but worthwhile
• R.E.A.C.H. ($200–$400): Library access + classes; good balance

Why just one: Don’t overcommit in year 1. Get a feel for the community. Add if desired in year 2.

Year 2+ (Established)

Options:

• Stick with initial choice if working well
• Add a second (e.g., FLA for advocacy + Walnut Grove for instruction)
• Try different group for comparison
• Join informal co-op in addition to main group

Typical long-term approach:

• Primary membership (Walnut Grove or R.E.A.C.H.): $300–$400/year
• Optional FLA membership: $50–$100/year
• Optional informal co-op: $0–$200/year
• Outschool classes as interest: $200–$500/year

Red Flags & How to Choose Well

Red Flag: Organization Doesn’t Match Your Philosophy

Example: You’re an unschooler; the group is rigidly classical

What to do: Try different group; philosophies vary

Red Flag: Financially Unstable Organization

Signs: Disorganized leadership, no clear budget, constant money crises

What to do: Ask about organization’s financial stability; choose established groups

Red Flag: Toxic or Exclusionary Community

Signs: Cliques, judgment, lack of welcome for different philosophies

What to do: Leave; try another group. Delaware has multiple options.

Red Flag: Over-Commitment Expected

Signs: Pressure to participate heavily; expected to volunteer many hours

What to do: Clarify expectations upfront; choose group that matches your availability

Virtual Communities & Support

If in-person doesn’t work:

Facebook groups:

• Delaware homeschooler groups (multiple area-specific groups)
• National homeschool groups (thousands of members)
• Philosophy-specific groups (classical, Charlotte Mason, etc.)
• Special interest groups (high school, special needs, etc.)

Paid communities:

• Homeschool+Plus: Classes and community
• Well-Trained Mind forums: Classical education community
• The Well Community: Comprehensive support

Free resources:

• SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted): For gifted homeschoolers
• Learning Disabilities Association: For special needs support

Making the Most of Organization Membership

Attend & Participate

Your first meeting:

• Go with open mind
• Introduce yourself
• Observe the vibe and community
• Ask questions

Ongoing:

• Attend regularly (consistency builds relationships)
• Volunteer for something (builds investment and friendships)
• Reach out to one family for coffee/connection
• Attend optional socials and field trips

Use the Resources

• Curriculum library: Borrow materials; save money
• Mentor program: Ask experienced families for advice
• Specialist connections: Tutors, therapists, evaluators
• Buying power: Group discounts on curriculum
• Field trip coordination: Join group trips

Give Back

• Help organize events
• Share your expertise with new families
• Contribute to resource library
• Volunteer as instructor (if comfortable)
• Mentor new homeschooling families

Delaware Homeschool Directory

Quick reference for major organizations:

| Organization | Cost | Services | Best For | |————|——|———-|———-| | FLA | $50-200/yr | Advocacy, curriculum, community | Parent support, advocacy, community | | Walnut Grove | $300-600/yr | Group instruction, classes, field trips | Structured instruction, peer groups | | R.E.A.C.H. | $200-400/yr | Library, classes, parent groups | Curriculum affordability, resources | | DHEA | Varies | Advocacy, guidance, workshops | Legal support, curriculum advice | | Outschool | $10-80/class | Online enrichment classes | Specialized instruction, enrichment | | Informal co-ops | $0-200/yr | Friend-based groups, field trips | Flexibility, community |

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The Community Advantage

Delaware’s homeschool community is strong, welcoming, and experienced. You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Organizations provide curriculum guidance, peer support, group instruction, field trip coordination, and friendship.

Start with one. Build from there. The community will welcome you.

You’re joining 30+ years of homeschool tradition in Delaware. That’s a gift.