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.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Resources (private parent support organizations)

2023/24 School Year (02/02/2024 update)

• The Exempt School Program team has begun to issue Acknowledgement Letters for the 2023/24 school year.  We know many of you have been patiently waiting for this to occur.  We are currently reviewing submissions received July 7 through July 10, 2023.
• Exempt school filings can be made throughout the 2023/24 school year (up to the first part of May). As per Section 003.02A2 of Rule 13, the Parent Representative shall promptly file the necessary documents via online submission or paper submission.  Refer to FAQ questions D26-D29 for further mid-school year filing information.

Statistical Information

• 2019/20 Report on Participants in Nebraska Exempt Schools (October 2021)
• The following student count is a year-end estimate only and subject to change pending audit:
  • 2020/21
    • Students – 14,780
  • 2021/22
    • Students –13,765
• The following student count is based on filings received as of 08/19/2022 and subject to change on a daily basis:
  • 2022/23
    • Students –11,647

Program Contacts

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