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Homeschooling in Nebraska

Homeschool rules in Nebraska, in plain English

In Nebraska, a home school is legally an exempt school. Each year by July 15, a parent files the Statement of Election and Assurances and the Authorized Parent Representative Form with the Nebraska Department of Education, and keeps a copy. The family must teach language arts, math, science, social studies, and health for at least 1,032 hours a year (1,080 for high school).

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This explains each state's homeschool rules in plain English, from the state's own published sources. It isn't legal advice, and we aren't lawyers. Laws change and every family is different, so check with your state, your school district or a lawyer before you rely on it.

How much it asks
Some paperwork
School age
6 through 17 (school is required until age 18)
Time
1032 hours a year

Exempt school (home school) under state law

Parents who teach their children at home and do not want the child enrolled in a state-approved or accredited school. Most Nebraska home schools use this path. An exempt school can also meet outside the home and include students from more than one family.

  1. Before you startPaperwork

    Check your children's ages

    The compulsory age runs from 6 through 17. A child who turns 6 before January 1 of the school year must be in school. Older or younger children have special rules; see notes.

  2. Before you startPaperwork

    Withdraw from the current school, if enrolled

    If your child attends a public or private school, tell that school you are withdrawing the child to homeschool. Ask for a copy of the withdrawal in writing. See notes about a possible 14-day delay if a child welfare report is open.

  3. Before you startPaperwork

    Open an account in the online exempt school system

    Go to the Nebraska Department of Education exempt school website and register at the online filing system. The state also accepts paper filings by mail or drop-off, but you must use only one method each year, not both.

  4. Before you startPaperwork

    Sign the Statement of Election and Assurances

    This two-page form says your family is choosing not to meet state approval or accreditation rules, and that you will teach the required subjects. One parent or guardian must sign it. You can sign it electronically or upload a signed copy.

  5. Before you startPaperwork

    Complete the Authorized Parent Representative Form

    This names one parent or guardian as the school's point of contact with the state. That person submits the filing and receives state communications.

  6. First year only, with your first filingRecords

    Send a birth certificate for each child

    For your first year, provide a certified copy of each child's birth certificate. If you cannot get one, the state asks for another proof of age and identity and a written explanation.

  7. Within 30 days of starting, and every year by July 15Paperwork

    Submit the filing

    Submit the forms online or by mail to the Nebraska Department of Education Exempt School Program Office. Filings are due by July 15 for the coming school year. Filings after July 15 are still accepted, so file promptly when you start mid-year.

  8. OngoingWhat to teach

    Teach the required subjects

    Your program must cover language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. You choose the curriculum and teaching methods. The state does not approve curriculum.

  9. OngoingTime

    Track instruction hours

    The state sets a minimum of 1,032 hours of instruction per year for elementary grades and 1,080 hours for high school grades. Keep a calendar or log so you can show the total if asked.

  10. OngoingRecords

    Keep your own records

    You do not send attendance, grades, or test results to the state. Keep a simple log of subjects taught, hours, and samples of your child's work in case a school or other official asks.

  11. Grades 9 through 12Records

    Issue your own high school records

    The state does not issue diplomas or transcripts for exempt school students. Parents set the graduation requirements and keep the transcript.

Subjects to teach

  • Language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social studies
  • Health

Tests and reviews

Nebraska does not require standardized testing, evaluations, portfolio reviews, or home visits for exempt schools. Families do not submit test scores to the state.

Records to keep

  • Parent's log of subjects taught and dates of instruction
  • Hours of instruction per school year
  • Samples of each child's work
  • Certified copy of each child's birth certificate, sent with the first-year filing
  • Copy of each year's signed filing and the state's confirmation

About time

The state sets a minimum number of hours, not days. The minimum is 1,032 hours for elementary grades and 1,080 hours for high school grades, each school year. Hours are measured by the year, so you choose the calendar.

Also good to know

  • If your child has been on a child welfare or abuse investigation, a state law passed in 2026 (LB 937) bars transferring the child to an exempt school for 14 days after a notice is received. A new election filed during that time is not valid.
  • A person who has certain felony convictions, such as specific sexual or child abuse offenses, may not monitor or teach at an exempt school.
  • A family that moves into Nebraska must file promptly after establishing residence in a Nebraska school district.
  • A child who turns 6 before January 1 but is not yet 7 may be covered by a signed affidavit filed with the local school district. The affidavit states the family intends to file the exempt school paperwork by the child's seventh birthday.
  • A child who has completed the program of instruction of an exempt school is no longer required to attend school under the compulsory attendance statute.
  • A child who has reached 16 may leave school with a notarized release, under the compulsory attendance statute. Check the statute and the state forms before relying on this.

What we couldn’t confirm

  • The 1,032 and 1,080 hour minimums and the five-subject list come from statute text quoted by secondary sites. I did not read the official statute text for these numbers. Confirm against the official code before filing.
  • Whether an Information Summary (curriculum and hours plan) is still required each year. The state's 2026/27 packet lists only the Statement of Election and the Parent Representative Form.
  • Whether each parent must sign the Statement of Election. The state's instructions say one parent signature is enough, but some guides say each parent must sign.
  • The exact wording and standard for instructor qualifications on the filing form.
  • Whether immunization records must be kept at home. Some secondary sites say the usual immunization rules apply to exempt school students; I did not confirm the official text.
  • The exact form and process for the notarized release for a 16-year-old, and whether it goes to the local school or the state.
  • How long records must be kept. No official source I read gives a retention period.
  • Whether Rule 12 approved-school status is a current option. Secondary sites mention it, but I did not confirm it on an official page.

From Nebraska’s own sources

Last checked against these sources on November 7, 2026. We check every state each week.

How Study Naturally helps in Nebraska

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  • Set each child’s lessons, in the subjects you teach
  • A patient tutor teaches every child at their own level
  • A learning record counts days and time against what the state asks
  • Print it, save it as a PDF, or download a spreadsheet for your files

Homeschooling in Nebraska

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