All parents worry about their children’s education, and some might be wondering why kids can’t go to school year-round. Meanwhile, most kids can’t wait to be done with school, and are probably asking why they even have to go in the first place. So how does the Silver State treat mandatory schooling? Here is a quick introduction to compulsory education laws in Nevada.
Compulsory Education
Each state has compulsory education laws that require children to attend a minimum amount of days at school. While the specific age range may vary state to state, these attendance requirements apply to both public and private schools. (Some states make exceptions for children who are home schooled.) Nevada requires children between the ages of seven and seventeen to attend school, and parents whose children are absent too often could be subject to misdemeanor criminal charges.
Nevada’s Compulsory Education Statutes
Nevada’s compulsory education statutes are listed in the table below.
| Code Section | Nevada Statutes 392.040, et seq.: Attendance |
| Age at Which School Attendance is Required | Between 7 and 17 |
| Exceptions to Attendance Requirements | Private school; Physical/mental condition preventing attendance; Completion of 12 grades; Receiving equivalent, approved instruction; Residence too far from nearest school; With written evidence, child over 14 must work for his or parents' support or with board's authority; Any child who has completed education through eighth grade and receives permission from court |
| Home School Provisions | Equivalent instruction of the kind and amount approved by the state board of education |
| Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance | Misdemeanor |
As you can see from the chart above, states do provide some exceptions to compulsory education laws, although most of these require some proof that the child is receiving an equivalent amount of instruction elsewhere. Nevada allows children to attend home school if their parents are able to meet the standards approved by the state board of education.
Nevada also offers work release authorization that allows students to work a job as long as the child is over the age of fourteen and must work to support his or her parents. Nevada may also excuse a student from mandatory schooling if the student lives too far from the nearest school, or has completed the eighth grade and receives court permission.
Related Resources for Nevada Compulsory Education Laws
State education statutes and the requirements to attend school can be complicated. You can consult with a Nevada education attorney in your area if you would like legal assistance regarding an education matter. You can also visit FindLaw's section on Compulsory Education for additional articles and information on this topic.
