You have more options than you may think…
Brick & Mortar Public Schools
Compulsory Attendance
Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. You must enroll your child in school if he or she will be 6 years old on or before December 31. If your child is 6 years old, but will not turn 7 on or before December 31, you can obtain an exemption for that school year by filing a notarized statement with your local public school district. see more >
Required Documentation
Nebraska school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly.
Some legal documents are required for Nebraska students to attend school:
- Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
- Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
- A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
- Click here to view the immunization requirements
- Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)
School Fees
Paying some fees is a part of public education, though it is primarily a free education. Students are expected to supply their own basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks. Each district has a list of approved expenditures for students. Fee waiver forms can be requested from the school if there is a situation that prevents a family from being able to pay for required materials or events.
Some typical items on that list include:
- Lunch
- Summer school
- Student parking passes (high school)
- Lost textbooks
- Late or lost library books
- Field trips
- Special class-required fees (e.g., science lab fees)
Public Charter Schools
What are Charter Schools?
Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.
Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In Nebraska, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke or refuse to renew a school’s charter.
Nebraska Charter Schools
There are currently no charter schools in the state of Nebraska. Follow the news and legislation here.
Virtual Public Schools
Private Schools
What makes a school “private”?
Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 200 private schools across the state.
Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.
*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.
Educational Choice Programs
Currently Nebraska does not have any tax credit scholarships or school vouchers. For more information on policy change or to get involved in the school choice movement in Nebraska visit EdChoice.
Private Virtual Schools
George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.
International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum
They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.
International Connections Academy is a fully-accredited, online, college preparatory private school serving K–12 students worldwide. The program combines a top-rated curriculum with talented teachers, cutting-edge technology, the flexibility to learn at home, and direct family involvement to ensure each student realizes his or her full potential.
The Keystone School offers flexible education programs for high school and middle school students. Whether your student wants to study full-time or just needs individual classes, they offer more than 170 courses from credit recovery to world languages and AP. Students can enroll at any time.
Home Education
Your options
In Nebraska, a homeschool is considered a private school that elects not to meet accreditation or approval requirements for religious or nonreligious reasons. Here’s how to homeschool under this option:
Annually file a Parent or Guardian Form by July 15th
Annually file a Parent Representative Form by July 15th
Annually file an Information Summary by July 15th
Teach the required subjects
Language arts
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
Health
Comply with vaccination requirements
Dual Enrollment
College Credit
For purposes of the Educational Service Units Act, a dual-enrollment course is defined as a course taught to students for credit at both a high school and a postsecondary educational institution.
Course Fees
Not set in state policy
The Access College Early Scholarship Program provides low-income students with financial assistance for courses taken in high school for postsecondary credit. 2015 legislation defines “career program of study” as a sequence of at least three high school courses that
- may include dual-credit or college credit courses
- are part of a career pathway program of study aligned with State Department of Education rules and regulations, (ii) a professional certification requirement, or (iii) the requirements for a postsecondary certification or diploma, and
- have at least one local member of business or industry partnering as an official advisor to the program.
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