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. Rule 13 is pending revision as a result of LB 1027, 2024. Further information will be provided at a later date.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (for reference, a new document for the 2024/25 school year will be available in June)
- Resources (private parent support organizations)
Updates (05/01/2024)
- 2024/25 School Year
- The 2024/25 filing information will be available in June 2024.
- LB 1027, 2024 impacts the filing procedures under Rule 13. Further information will be provided with the 2024/25 filing information.
- 2023/24 School Year
- NDE has discontinued accepting 2023/24 submissions.
Statistical Information
- 2020/21 Report on Participants in Nebraska Exempt Schools (March 2024)
- The following student count is a year-end estimate only and subject to change pending audit:
- 2021/22
- Students – 13,627
- 2022/23
- Students –13,964
- 2021/22
Program Contacts
- Beth Bolte: (402) 471-2795
- Micki Iverson: (402) 471-1894
- Email: nde.exemptschool@nebraska.gov