Education in Delaware

With hundreds of quality public schools, as well as specialized charter schools, vocational and technical schools, and small private schools, great choices abound for families.

 




Great schools, great choices for your family

Delaware provides families with substantial and accessible educational choice, strong college-preparation outcomes, diverse K–12 learning environments, and a range of higher-education opportunities, including traditional public schools, charter schools, vocational-technical schools, private schools, and specialized programs.

Across the First State you’ll find traditional public schools, public charter schools with distinctive missions, vocational-technical high schools, and small private and parochial schools — plus specialized programs built for specific learners, like the Delaware Autism Program and the Delaware School for the Deaf. Whether a child thrives in a big comprehensive high school, a tight-knit classroom, or a hands-on technical track, there’s a setting that fits.

In Delaware, families benefit from the state’s School Choice program that lets parents apply to enroll their child in a public or charter school outside their assigned feeder zone, For a lot of families, this single piece of flexibility is what makes putting down roots here feel easy. 

See also:

    19

    School Districts in Delaware

    220+

    Public Schools Statewide

    94

    Private & Parochial Schools

    20,000+

    Students in Career & Vo-Tech Programs

    Where School is Community

    Delaware scale means school life is genuinely communal and close-knit. Friday-night football, championship basketball, the spring baseball and softball brackets — these aren’t just school events, they’re practically town events. The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association crowns state champions across dozens of sports each year, and the title games land at shared landmarks like the University of Delaware’s stadium and Wilmington’s Frawley Stadium, where families from every part of the state turn out.

    Local outlets and magazines like Delaware Today follow high school sports, signing days, and prom season with the kind of attention bigger states save for the pros. Your kid’s game, a neighbor’s kid’s award, the rival school a few towns over — here, it all stays close enough to feel personal. For newcomers, that’s often the first sign they’ve landed somewhere that will feel like home.

    Recognized For Excellence

    Delaware’s reputation isn’t only local pride. Schools across the state — public, charter, and private alike — have repeatedly earned National Blue Ribbon recognition from the U.S. Department of Education, the country’s top honor for academic performance and for closing achievement gaps. College preparation is a genuine point of pride, too, with a strong share of Delaware graduates moving on to two- and four-year programs ready for the work ahead.

    Delaware Pathways Program

    Part of the national Pathways to Prosperity Network, this innovative program provides training and on-the-job experience for in-demand careers. Specific pathways can be followed, like advanced manufacturing or allied health. Immersive work experience is a vital part of Pathways and can require upwards of 600 hours of training and education.

    Learn More About Pathways

    Prepping for the Future

    The Code Differently 1000 Kids Coding program is a fun and innovative program designed to expose New Castle County students to computing and programming, and Zip Code Wilmington coaches motivated adults from diverse backgrounds into skilled, professional developers in only 12 weeks.

    More Adult Education Opportunties

    Delaware STEM

    Encouraging STEM education is crucial to the state’s economy and demonstrates Delaware’s commitment to cutting-edge industries and innovation.

    Delaware’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Council was created with multi-tiered mission in mind:

    • expand the number of Delaware students who ultimately pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields
    • broaden the participation of women and minorities in these fields;
    • expand the STEM capable workforce to create, grow and attract STEM-related businesses to Delaware;
    • increase STEM literacy for all Delaware students including those who pursue non-STEM related careers but need STEM skills

    Higher Education

    The Delaware Student Excellence Equals Degree Program Scholarship (Delaware SEED Scholarship) is intended to provide free college tuition to Delaware residents seeking to earn an Associate degree at in-state colleges Delaware Tech and the University of Delaware.

      • University of Delaware — Delaware’s oldest and largest university, with more than 23,000 students.
      • Wilmington University — The state’s largest private post-secondary institution, enrolling over 20,000 students.
      • Delaware State University — Delaware’s only HBCU and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
      • Delaware Technical Community College — Offers associate degrees at four campuses statewide.
      • Goldey Beacom College – Offers career focused education
      • Widener University Delaware Law School – immerses students in Delaware’s unique Chancery Court legal culture.
      • The State of Delaware  recently announced a collaboration with Thomas Jefferon University to establish a regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College scheduled to launch in 2028.