Nebraska Homeschool Requirements Explained (2025 Guide)

If you’re wondering how to homeschool in Nebraska, it’s a good idea to do your research first. Homeschool laws vary by state, and each one’s are a little different! Whether you’ve homeschooled before, or you just decided to make the switch to homeschooling, you’re in the right place.

Homeschooling in Nebraska allows you to have freedom and flexibility, while providing a bit of structure to build off of. There are only a handful of simple laws you need to remember to start homeschooling.

Homeschooling in Nebraska at a Glance

Nebraska – The Cornhusker State

Required Age	6-18
Standardized Testing	Not required
Subjects	Language arts, math, science, social studies, and health
Time Requirements	1,032 hours for elementary and 1,080 for high school
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	If you do not homeschool for religious reasons, you will need to comply with immunization requirements.
Financial Resources Available	No

Parent Qualifications

To qualify as a homeschool instructor in Nebraska, you’ll need to submit the Notice of Intent, which includes the Parent Representative Form. There are no requirements for your education level or past experience. You simply need to complete the necessary paperwork on time.

Notice of Intent

Homeschools in Nebraska are considered exempt schools in legislation under Rule 13. For exempt schools, you’ll need to submit the Statement of Election and Assurances, as well as the Parent Representative Form, to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDoE). You can find a PDF of both documents and instructions here.

You also have the option to submit this information online, via an electronic form. The priority deadline for filing is July 15, 2024, but submissions are accepted after that date as well. The NDoE recommends filing as soon as possible. 

Attendance

Compulsory attendance age for Nebraska is ages 6-18. Parents are required to provide 1,032 hours of instruction each year for elementary school students and 1,080 hours for high school students. You should include your plans to fulfill these hourly requirements in your Information Summary that you submit to the Department of Education. 

Homeschool Curriculum

Parents, rather than the state or local districts, are responsible for providing a homeschool curriculum. Your curriculum should lead to proficiency in the following subjects: 

1. Language arts
2. Math
3. Science
4. Social studies
5. Health

For a better understanding of course content, you can check out the Content Area Standards from the Nebraska Department of Education. These standards list what students are learning in public school, as well expected skills and abilities by grade.

Testing

Homeschool students in Nebraska are exempt from participating in standardized testing. 

Although not required by law, many parents still choose to assess their students periodically. Some nationally normed exams are available for purchase, such as the Iowa Assessment and Stanford Achievement exams. High school students are strongly encouraged to take the SAT and ACT for college readiness.

Record Keeping

The State of Nebraska generally does not require record keeping, aside from immunization records. If you are not homeschooling because of religious reasons and do not have a religious exemption, you will need to keep immunization records on hand for your student.

A homeschool portfolio is a great way to keep important records safe and organized. Things you can keep in a homeschool portfolio include: 

• Attendance records
• Test scores
• Courses taken
• Final grades earned
• Some of your student’s best work

Graduation Requirements

In Nebraska, parents get to decide when their homeschooler is ready to graduate. Some parents discuss their child’s career goals with them and design a diploma to meet those goals. Once your student completes all of their credit hours, you can provide them with their own homeschool diploma.

It can be intimidating to know when your high schooler is ready! A good resource to use would be the graduation requirements provided by Omaha Public Schools. Their graduation requirements also recommend which courses to take for grades 9-12 and how many credits your student should have by the end of each grade.

Some students take the GED exam, which is a good way to ensure your college recognizes your high school education. Upon completion, the GED exam awards a high school equivalency diploma that is recognized in all 50 states. 

Students ages 18 and older are eligible to take the exam without any special requirements. For minors, there are additional registration processes that apply. 

Financial Resources

Unfortunately, there are no programs available to help cover the cost of homeschooling at this time. However, we encourage you to search for private grants or scholarships that you may qualify for.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling and how to find other homeschool groups in Nebraska, check out: 

• The Nebraska Secular Home Educators’ Facebook page
• Homeschool FAQ from the Department of Education 

If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.