Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Nebraska. Two compliance options - Rule 13 (exempt school, most popular) and Rule 12 (approved school). File your Statement of Election by August 1. No testing required under Rule 13. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Nebraska is a low-regulation state for homeschooling that offers two distinct compliance paths. The vast majority of families choose Rule 13 (exempt school), which provides the most freedom. Under Rule 13, there are no specific subject requirements, no testing, and no teacher qualifications - you simply file an annual Statement of Election and provide the required hours of instruction.
The alternative, Rule 12 (approved school), follows state standards and may have additional requirements including possible testing. Most homeschool families specifically choose Rule 13 to maintain maximum flexibility and freedom.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-1601 et seq., both options satisfy Nebraska's compulsory education requirement. The key annual obligation is filing a Statement of Election by August 1 with both the Nebraska Department of Education and your local school district.
Rule 13 is the option most families choose and the one we focus on in this guide. It provides the most freedom: no specific subjects, no testing, no teacher qualifications. Just file your Statement of Election by August 1 and provide the required hours of instruction.
Nebraska offers two compliance paths for homeschoolers. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right option for your family.
| Requirement | Rule 13 (Exempt School) | Rule 12 (Approved School) |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | Most families choose this | Less common |
| Notification | Statement of Election by Aug 1 | Annual filing |
| Hours (Elementary) | 1,032 hours | 1,032 hours |
| Hours (Secondary) | 1,080 hours | 1,080 hours |
| Required Subjects | Not specified | State standards apply |
| Testing | Not required | May be required |
| Teacher Qualification | Not required | More stringent |
Rule 13 is the preferred option because it provides maximum freedom with minimum requirements. Under Rule 13, your homeschool operates as an "exempt school" - exempt from the standards, testing, and teacher qualification requirements that apply to approved schools. The only concrete obligations are the annual filing and the hour requirement.
Some families choose Rule 12 if they want their homeschool to follow state standards, or if they plan to transition their child back to public school and want to ensure alignment with public school curriculum. However, Rule 12 comes with additional oversight and requirements.
Nebraska's homeschool law is found in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-1601 et seq., which establishes compulsory education and provides for both exempt schools (Rule 13) and approved schools (Rule 12) as valid alternatives to public school attendance.
Starting to homeschool in Nebraska under Rule 13 is a straightforward process. The key step is filing your Statement of Election by August 1.
The Statement of Election must be submitted to both the Nebraska Department of Education and your local school district. Filing with only one is not sufficient. This is an annual requirement - file by August 1 every year.
Keep copies of your Statement of Election and any confirmation of receipt. Send via certified mail or email so you have proof of delivery to both NDE and the school district. Blue Folder can help you track this deadline and stay on top of annual filing. Try it free →
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Nebraska requires specific hours of instruction based on grade level. These hour requirements apply under both Rule 13 and Rule 12.
| Grade Level | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Elementary (K-6) | 1,032 hours per year |
| Secondary (7-12) | 1,080 hours per year |
There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar. You set your own schedule and organize your instruction days however works best for your family. Scheduling is flexible as long as you meet the annual hour totals.
Track your instruction hours throughout the year. At 1,032 hours for elementary, that averages about 5.7 hours per day over 180 days. For secondary at 1,080 hours, that is about 6 hours per day over 180 days. Many families easily exceed these totals when counting all educational activities. Blue Folder tracks hours automatically. Try it free →
Under Rule 13, Nebraska has minimal record-keeping requirements. The Statement of Election is the only document you must submit. Hour tracking and attendance records are recommended but are not required to be submitted to anyone.
While Rule 13 has minimal record requirements, keeping organized records of your hours and curriculum is a smart practice. It helps with college applications, potential transfers, and your own confidence that you are meeting requirements. Blue Folder tracks everything automatically. Try it free →
Under Rule 13, Nebraska does not require any annual evaluation, testing, or assessment of homeschool students. There are no standardized tests, no portfolio reviews, and no progress reports to submit.
Rule 12 may have testing requirements as part of following state standards, which is one reason most families choose Rule 13 instead.
While not required under Rule 13, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:
While Rule 13 requires no testing, college-bound students will need ACT or SAT scores for admissions. The University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney), Creighton University, and Nebraska's community colleges all accept homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts and test scores.
Under Rule 13, there are no specific subject requirements. Parents have complete discretion over what to teach, how to teach it, and what materials to use. This is one of the primary advantages of choosing Rule 13 over Rule 12.
Under Rule 12, state standards apply and specific subjects must be covered. This is another reason most families prefer Rule 13.
While not legally required under Rule 13, most Nebraska homeschool families cover a well-rounded set of subjects:
For college-bound students, covering a well-rounded set of subjects is highly recommended even though Rule 13 does not mandate any specific courses. Nebraska universities look for transcripts that show rigorous coursework across core academic areas.
Nebraska has one critical annual deadline for homeschool families. Missing this deadline can create compliance issues.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 (annually) | Statement of Election | File with NDE AND local school district. Include school name, child info, and exempt status election. Annual filing required. |
| Throughout the year | Track instruction hours | 1,032 hours (elementary) or 1,080 hours (secondary). Keep records at home. |
| When you decide | Graduation | Parents determine graduation requirements and issue the diploma. |
The August 1 deadline is the single most important date for Nebraska homeschool families. File your Statement of Election on time with both NDE and your local school district. Set a reminder for mid-July to make sure you do not miss it.
Nebraska does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Access is at each district's discretion.
Nebraska does not currently offer ESA programs, vouchers, tax credits, or tax deductions specifically for homeschool families. All homeschool costs are borne by the family.
If you want maximum freedom with no subject requirements, no testing, and no teacher qualifications, choose Rule 13. If you want to follow state standards and potentially have your homeschool program more closely aligned with public schools, consider Rule 12. The vast majority of Nebraska homeschool families choose Rule 13.
Nebraska homeschool law is straightforward under Rule 13, but new families still run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
The August 1 Statement of Election filed with both NDE and your local district is the cornerstone of Nebraska homeschool compliance. Everything else under Rule 13 is minimal. Blue Folder sends you reminders so you never miss this deadline.
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Track Nebraska ComplianceMost families choose Rule 13 (exempt school) for its simplicity and freedom. Rule 13 has no subject requirements, no testing, and no teacher qualifications. Rule 12 is only preferred if you specifically want to follow state standards or need alignment with public school curriculum.
Submit to both the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and your local school district. Filing with only one is not sufficient. Keep copies and proof of delivery for your records.
Yes. The Statement of Election requires a school name. Choose any appropriate name for your homeschool. This is a formality and does not affect your program in any way.
Ages 6 to 18. Nebraska uses a January 1 birthday rule - a child must begin compulsory education if they turn 6 by January 1 of that school year.
No. Rule 13 does not require any standardized testing, evaluations, portfolio reviews, or progress reports. Testing may only be required under Rule 12.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Nebraska Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For additional support, see the Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association and HSLDA Nebraska page. Last updated February 2026.