LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Students across Nebraska went back-to-school over the last few weeks, from public to private and at all grade levels.

But for almost a dozen elementary-age students just outside of Lincoln, their back-to-school looks a little different.

Homeschooling — known in Nebraska as exempt-schooling — has increased in popularity — growing 12.8% since 2021 alone .

Students at Petrichor are hitting their stride as the school year ramps up, learning similar curriculum to any public school kid but in a much smaller and more personalized environment.

They’re combining reading and writing with plenty of healthy play and life skills mixed right in.

Ashley Wagner is the daughter of two public school teachers and is a former public school teacher herself.

She opened Petrichor

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