Starting a Private School in Nebraska

Regulations, Resources, & Support

Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Nebraska. Enjoy!

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Regulations

We’ve curated the laws and regulations about starting a private school in Nebraska.

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See what else you need to know about starting a private school. From your curriculum to your marketing, and everything in-between.

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Nebraska State Regulations

General Regulations

Nebraska State

In Nebraska, a nonpublic school must be (a) accredited; (b) approved; or (c) receive an exemption from the Commissioner of Education from the requirements for the operation of approved private schools.
The Nebraska Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
In Nebraska, “home schools” are referred to as exempt schools and are considered private non-approved and non-accredited schools.
The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Nebraska.
The Nebraska DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.

State Funding Sources & Support

Nebraska does not provide funding for private education.

Curriculum Requirements

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Accredited/approved schools have extensive curriculum requirements including language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, career and technical education, world language, visual and performing arts, and personal health and physical education. More detailed requirements depending on grades in the school are listed in 92 NAC, chapter 10 for accredited private schools and 92 NAC, chapter 14 for approved private schools.

Teacher Certification & Hiring

Accredited and approved schools must have certified teachers. Schools that are not accredited or approved do not have to have certified teachers, but do need to be able to prove subject area competence through some other means.

Food Services / Lunch

In Nebraska, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.

Length of School Year

A school year must be no less than 1,032 instructional hours for elementary school and 1,080 instructional hours for high school. Kindergarten’s school term must be at least 400 clock hours.

Recordkeeping & Reports

Schools must maintain student enrollment and attendance records. These reports must be passed along to the state each year.

Healthy & Safety Requirements

Schools must get immunization records or documentation of medical or religious exemption from all students. Approved or accredited schools must conduct monthly fire drills.

Transportation

School boards providing transportation for children attending public schools must also provide transportation on the regular public school bus routes without cost for children attending nonprofit private schools within the district

Testing

Accredited and approved schools are required to administer a standardized norm-referenced test in at least one grade in each of the following three levels: grades four to six, grades seven to nine, and grades 10 to 12.