Overview
Nebraska refers to homeschools as exempt schools. They are treated as non-approved and non-accredited private schools whose families elect not to meet state accreditation or approval requirements while still complying with compulsory-attendance law. Nebraska revised its exempt-school rules for the 2026-27 school year.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
A child is generally of mandatory attendance age if the child will reach age 6 before January 1 of the current school year and has not reached age 18. Nebraska provides several exceptions and withdrawal procedures, including special provisions for some 6-year-olds and for students age 16 or older.
Exempt School Filing
Parents, legal guardians, or educational decision makers who choose the exempt-school route must file with the Nebraska Department of Education and receive exempt status. For 2026-27, NDE accepts filings either through its online Exempt School Program or by paper submission. Families should not submit both methods. The filing includes the required Statement of Election and Assurances and related student/parent information.
Instructional Hours
Nebraska exempt schools must provide sufficient time to meet the statutory minimum school term:
• 1,032 instructional hours for elementary grades K-8 • 1,080 instructional hours for grades 9-12
The exempt-school reporting period for 2026-27 runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Partial-year enrollment can result in prorated instructional-hour requirements under NDE procedures.
Required Subjects
Nebraska requires the exempt-school program to be designed to lead to basic skills in:
• Language arts • Mathematics • Science • Social studies • Health
Under the post-2024 changes, curriculum information is no longer submitted as part of the exemption filing, even though the program must still provide the required basic-skills instruction.
Attendance and Academic Records
NDE states that it does not collect homeschool grades or require routine progress reports. Families are advised to keep their own records, including attendance and transcripts. Nebraska compulsory-attendance statutes also contain school record requirements, so organized attendance records are particularly important.
Standardized Testing
Nebraska does not impose a general annual standardized-testing requirement on students solely because they attend an exempt homeschool.
Instructor Qualifications
Nebraska no longer requires exempt-school instructional monitors to be reported to NDE. The parent or educational decision maker assures that persons monitoring instruction are qualified to monitor the required basic skills. Effective July 18, 2026, state law also bars individuals convicted of specified serious felony offenses from monitoring or providing instruction in an exempt school.
Curriculum Freedom
Nebraska exempt schools elect not to meet state approval or accreditation requirements. Parents therefore have substantial freedom to select curriculum and teaching methods while ensuring the program covers the required basic skills and meets the minimum instructional-hour requirements.
Graduation
An exempt school may establish its own program-completion and graduation requirements. Families should keep complete high-school transcripts, grades, credits, and graduation documentation. Nebraska treats exempt schools as non-approved and non-accredited schools, so families should consider the requirements of colleges, scholarship programs, employers, military branches, and licensing bodies.
Alabama Church School Services for Nebraska Families
Nebraska families do not need Alabama Church School in order to establish an exempt homeschool. However, ACS may provide curriculum, attendance resources, academic records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, and other support. ACS enrollment does not replace the Nebraska exempt-school filing or the family's Nebraska instructional requirements.
Nebraska Homeschool Law References
- Nebraska Revised Statute § 79-1601 — Election not to meet accreditation or approval requirements
- Nebraska Revised Statute § 79-201 — Compulsory education
- Nebraska Revised Statute § 79-211 — Minimum school term
- Nebraska Department of Education — Exempt School Program
- Nebraska Rule 13 — Exempt Schools, effective June 28, 2026
This guide summarizes current homeschool requirements for informational purposes. Laws, administrative procedures, and agency guidance can change. Families remain responsible for complying with the laws of their state of residence.
How Alabama Church School supports Nebraska families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Nebraska law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Nebraska often review these states next.