Exempt School [Home School] Program

General Information

Parents, legal guardians, or educational decision makers may educate their child at home by electing not to meet State approval or accreditation requirements (Section 79-1601 R.R.S.).  In Nebraska, “home schools” are referred to as exempt schools and are considered non-approved and non-accredited private schools.  Exempt schools can also be outside the child’s home and have students from more than one family.

By filing for and receiving exempt status, the parent, legal guardian, or educational decision maker are electing not to have their child attend a school that meets State approval or accreditation requirements while also complying with the mandatory school attendance law (Section 79-201 R.R.S.).

• Rule 13 is the rule governing the procedures and standards for filing for an exemption.
  • Rule 13 is pending revision as a result of LB 1027, 2024. Some of the provisions in Rule 13 are no longer applicable. See LB1027, 2024, law and summary below.
    • LB 1027 (2024)
    • Summary of Changes as a Result of LB 1027, 2024
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (a new document for the 2026/27 school year will be available in June)
• Resources (private parent support organizations)

Updates (03/24/2026)

• 2026/27 School Year
  • It is too early to file for the 2026/27 school year; the 2026/27 forms & information will be available on this website by early June 2026.
  • Online renewal filers & paper filers who provided an email address will be notified by email once the 2026/27 filing information is available.
• 2025/26 School Year
  • NDE will discontinue accepting 2025/26  submissions effective 5:00 p.m. CT on Friday, May 1, 2026.  This includes both paper filings and online submissions.

Statistical Information

• 2022/23 Report on Participants in Nebraska Exempt Schools (September 2025)
• The following student counts are estimates only and subject to change pending audit:
  • 2023/24 (year-end)
    • Students – 14,612
  • 2024/25 (year-end)
    • Students – 16,419
  • 2025/26 (as of 09/09/2025)
    • Students – 14,665

Program Contacts

• Beth Bolte & Micki Iverson
• Email: nde.exemptschool@nebraska.gov
• Phone: 402/471-0336