Exempt School [Home School] Program

General Information

Parents (or legal guardians) 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 or non-accredited schools.  By filing for and receiving exempt status, parents are electing not to have their child attend a school that meets State approval and 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 parents (or legal guardians) filing for an exemption.
• Resources (private parent support organizations)

2020/21 School Year

• It is too early to submit a Rule 13 exemption for the 2020/21 school year.  The 2020/21 forms and information and link to the updated online submission will be available on this website by the end of May 2020. Exemption election submissions are due annually by July 15. Do not use the current (2019/20) school year’s information and online system to file for the next school year.

2019/20 School Year

• NDE will discontinue accepting 2019/20 submissions effective 5:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 30, 2020.

Paper Submission

 Via Mail (or drop off the information at the Department of Education if you live in the Lincoln area) (no faxes or emails will be accepted).

• Before you begin, review the following documents:
  • Rule 13, and
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Then, download/print the Instructions & Forms Packet.
    • The packet includes:  Instructions, Statement of Election & Assurances (Form A) (two copies are attached), Form B, and Information Summary
  • Submit the documents by mail only (or drop off the information at the Department of Education if you live in the Lincoln area) (no faxes or emails will be accepted)
  • NOTE: Exemption election filings will be accepted either via the online submission OR via paper submission by mail – do NOT submit both ways.
  • Exemption election submissions are due annually by July 15. After July 15, see section 003.02A on page 4 of Rule 13 for exemption election due date information.
    • For mid or partial-school year filings – See Sections 003.02A1 and 003.02A2 of Rule 13 and Questions D26 – D29 of the FAQs for further information.
  • If you cannot download the documents, contact the Exempt School Program Office to request a packet by mail.

Online Submission through the Nebraska Exempt School Program

• Before you begin, review the following documents (available in pdf format):
  • Rule 13,
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and
  • Nebraska Exempt School Program/Instructions for a Rule 13 Exemption Via Online Submission
    • Scan applicable documents (one document per scanned file) – See Page 1 of the Instructions for further information
    • For the option of uploading a scan of the parent’s completed & signed Statement of Election & Assurances (Form A), download a blank Form A.
  • Once the rule, FAQs, and instructions have been reviewed, enter the online program at https://exemptschool.education.ne.gov.
    • Utilize the “Instructions” to assist in the submission.
  • NOTE: Exemption election filings will be accepted either via the online submission OR via paper submission by mail – do NOT submit both ways.
  • Exemption election submissions are due annually by July 15. After July 15, see section 003.02A on page 4 of Rule 13 for exemption election due date information.
    • For mid or partial-school year filings – See Sections 003.02A1 and 003.02A2 of Rule 13 and Questions D26 – D29 of the FAQs for further information.

2019/20 School Year – Changes Subsequent to the Initial Filing (applies to both Online & Paper Filers)

• This section only applies after you have filed for the 2019/20 school year and wish to make changes.
• Reporting Changes Subsequent to the Initial Filing
• Mid-school year filings – it is highly advisable to withdraw your child after NDE has received your submission. See Sections 003.02A1 and 003.02A2 of Rule 13 and Questions D26 – D29 of the FAQs for further information.
• Additional enrollment(s) during the school year – this applies when parents/legal guardians have already filed and received the Acknowledgement Letter for the 2019/20 school year:
  • Prior to/or promptly upon the student’s enrollment, submit by mail or by email to beth.bolte@nebraska.gov, a Form A from each parent or legal guardian (if one parent has sole legal custody, provide verification), the documentation specified in Section 004 of Rule 13 (Information Summary), and the student’s birth certificate. (Rule 13, Section 003.02B).

Statistical Information

• 2017/18 Report on Participants in Nebraska Exempt Schools (04/01/2019)
• 2016/17 Report on Participants in Nebraska Exempt Schools
  • 2016/17 Addendums (04/01/2019):
    • Exempt Students, Family Units, & Attendance Centers
    • Number of Students & Families by County (With Other than Religious & Religious)

Program Contacts

• Beth Bolte: (402) 471-2795 or beth.bolte@nebraska.gov
• Micki Iverson: (402) 471-1894 or micki.iverson@nebraska.gov