How to Homeschool in Louisiana (2026 Guide)

The short version

Louisiana gives families two distinct pathways to educate their children at home. The most common is the BESE-Approved Home Study Program, which requires annual approval from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and satisfies the state’s compulsory attendance law. The second is the Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval route, which is simpler administratively but does not satisfy compulsory attendance laws and carries meaningful trade-offs, including loss of eligibility for the TOPS college scholarship.

Under the BESE-Approved path, parents file an initial application within 15 days of starting their program and renew each year. There are no required subjects, no mandatory state testing, and no teacher certification requirements. Parents choose their own curriculum and set their own schedule. The main annual obligation — beyond the renewal application — is submitting evidence that the program has offered a curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. This can be done through a portfolio of materials, standardized test scores, or a certified teacher’s written statement.

Louisiana also has the LA GATOR Scholarship Program (Act 1 of 2024), an education savings account (ESA) program. As currently structured, families actively enrolled in a BESE-Approved Home Study Program are not simultaneously eligible to use LA GATOR funds. The scholarship requires students to disenroll from any home study program upon acceptance.

Legal basis

Louisiana’s home education law is found primarily in La. R.S. 17:236.1 (Approval of home study programs), which governs the BESE-Approved pathway. The compulsory attendance statute is La. R.S. 17:221, which requires children ages five through eighteen to attend a public or nonpublic school or participate in a state-approved home study program. The alternative pathway — Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval — is referenced in La. R.S. 17:236 and LDOE guidelines.

La. R.S. 17:236.1 is the operational heart of the home study law. It establishes that:

A parent or legal guardian must apply to BESE for initial approval within 15 days of commencing the program.
Renewal applications are due by October 1 of the school year, or within 12 months of the initial approval, whichever is later.
The initial application requires a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and the parent’s certification that the program will offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level.
Renewal applications require evidence that the program has in fact offered a sustained quality curriculum — submitted either as a packet of materials, verified standardized test scores, or a certified teacher’s written evaluation (see Testing section below for full detail).
BESE must notify the local city or parish school superintendent upon receipt of the initial application and of subsequent actions taken on it.

A child enrolled in a BESE-Approved Home Study Program is considered to be in attendance at a day school and in compliance with compulsory attendance laws (R.S. 17:236.1; LDOE Guidelines, revised August 2024).

Primary sources:

The two pathways compared

Louisiana families choosing to educate at home operate under one of two frameworks. Understanding the difference matters because the consequences are not equal.

Pathway 1: BESE-Approved Home Study Program

This pathway is governed by R.S. 17:236.1 and requires annual BESE approval. Parents apply through the LDOE’s online system and receive an official approval letter. Key benefits:

Satisfies compulsory attendance law — your child is legally considered enrolled in a day school.
Students are eligible for the TOPS college scholarship (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students), provided they are enrolled in an approved home study program for both 11th and 12th grade and meet ACT score requirements.
Diplomas issued by the home study program carry the same weight as a state-issued diploma for purposes of postsecondary institutions, state agencies, and all other governmental entities (R.S. 17:236.1(G)).
Students may participate in interscholastic athletic activities.

Pathway 2: Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval

This option is available to families who prefer not to seek state approval for their program. The school must register by submitting an annual online attendance submission to the LDOE. Key limitations:

Does not satisfy compulsory attendance laws. The LDOE explicitly states it cannot confirm whether students attending these schools are meeting compulsory attendance requirements.
Students are not eligible for TOPS scholarships.
Diplomas from these schools do not carry the same legal weight as state-issued diplomas.
The school must provide written notice of enrollment to the student’s former public school within 10 days of enrollment (R.S. 17:221.3).

The LDOE has published a side-by-side comparison at Louisiana Home School Options (PDF). Most families who want the full legal standing of a BESE-approved education will choose Pathway 1. The rest of this guide focuses primarily on the BESE-Approved Home Study Program.

Application and notice

Initial application

Families beginning a BESE-Approved Home Study Program must submit an initial application to the LDOE within 15 days of starting the program (R.S. 17:236.1(A)). The LDOE recommends applying before withdrawing a child from public school, though families may withdraw before receiving approval.

Online application: The LDOE operates an online application system at webapps.doe.louisiana.gov/publicapps/homestudy_app/homestudy_app.aspx. Online submission is strongly preferred. It allows families to track application status, receive automatic confirmation emails, reprint approval letters, and receive notifications. Paper applications are available only in limited hardship circumstances.

Required for initial application (R.S. 17:236.1(B); LDOE Guidelines):

Completed application form with the parent or legal guardian’s assurance statement
A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate (a short-form birth certification card is acceptable)
Parent’s certification that the home study program will offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level

The LDOE verifies legal guardianship for initial applications. Processing time is generally one to two weeks. Upon approval, families receive an official Approval Verification letter. It is suggested — though not legally required — that families provide a copy of this letter to the child’s previous school.

All school districts in Louisiana receive copies of their district’s home study approval letters monthly, in compliance with R.S. 17:3913.

You may contact the LDOE Home Study office at homestudy@la.gov or toll-free at 1-877-453-2721 with questions.

Annual renewal

Once initially approved, families must submit a renewal application by the first of October of each school year, or within 12 months of initial approval, whichever is later (R.S. 17:236.1(A)). Approvals are valid for one year from the date of approval for the grade level indicated on the application.

If a student transitions to a new grade level before the 12-month period ends, parents should submit a renewal application indicating the current grade level. Retroactive changes to a student’s grade level are not allowed — for example, if a student has an approved application for 8th grade, the parent cannot apply for 7th grade as the next level.

The renewal application requires evidence that the program has offered a sustained quality curriculum. See the Testing and Records sections for the three options available to satisfy this requirement.

Required subjects

Louisiana law does not specify required subject areas for home study families. The legal standard under R.S. 17:236.1 is that the program must offer “a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level.”

This standard does not mandate specific courses, hours, or instructional frameworks — only that the overall quality of the curriculum is comparable to what public school students at the same grade are receiving. The LDOE does not maintain a list of approved programs, curricula, or instructional strategies. Parents have complete discretion in selecting what and how to teach.

There are no teacher certification requirements. Instruction may be provided by the parent or by a tutor.

The 180-day instructional year is referenced in LDOE materials as the program standard consistent with compulsory attendance law, though the law itself does not specify a required number of days for home study families in the same way it does for public schools.

Standardized testing

Louisiana does not require home study students to take standardized tests. However, testing is directly connected to the annual renewal process — families must provide evidence of curriculum quality each year, and submitting standardized test results is one of the three accepted ways to satisfy that requirement.

Annual renewal: three options for demonstrating curriculum quality (R.S. 17:236.1(C) and (D)):

Option 1 — Portfolio of materials. The parent submits a packet of materials with the renewal application that includes: a complete outline of each subject taught during the previous year; lists of books and materials used; copies of the student’s work; copies of standardized tests; statements by third parties who have observed the child’s progress; and any other evidence of the quality of the program being offered. If the materials are inadequate, the LDOE will notify the parent and request additional documentation.

Option 2 — Standardized test scores. The parent submits verification that the child has taken one of the following and met the applicable threshold:

The California Achievement Test (CAT), or another standardized examination approved by the board, and the child scored at or above grade level — or has progressed at a rate equal to one grade level per year in the home study program; or
The state’s competency-based education examination (provided in R.S. 17:24.4), scoring at or above the passing level established by BESE for public school students at the child’s grade level.

Option 3 — Certified teacher evaluation. The parent submits a written statement from a teacher certified to teach at the child’s grade level. The statement must confirm that the teacher has examined the program being offered and that, in the teacher’s professional opinion, the child is being taught in accordance with a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level (or, for children with disabilities, at least equal to what public schools offer children with similar disabilities). Any teacher evaluation submitted under this option is subject to review and approval by BESE (R.S. 17:236.1(D)(3)).

Optional state-administered testing: Families may also request that their child be administered the competency-based education examination by the local school board in May or September each year. The local school board may charge a fee not to exceed $35 (R.S. 17:236.1(E)). The Department of Education may similarly administer the examination upon request, also at a fee not to exceed $35 (R.S. 17:236.1(F)). In both cases, the administering teacher must promptly provide the parent a statement indicating the child’s score and whether the child passed.

Home study students are not required to take state assessments (LEAP or otherwise). Students enrolled in the Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval pathway may request optional LEAP testing for 4th and 8th grade through the local school system.

Record keeping

Because the annual renewal process requires evidence of curriculum quality, maintaining organized records throughout the year is practically essential — even though Louisiana law does not impose a separate, standalone record-keeping mandate beyond what is needed for the renewal application.

Families planning to use the portfolio option for renewal will want to collect throughout the year:

A subject-by-subject outline of what was taught
Lists of textbooks, curriculum materials, and resources used
Samples of completed student work across subjects
Any standardized test results
Observations or statements from third parties who have seen the student’s progress

Families planning to use standardized test scores should schedule testing at least a few weeks before the renewal deadline so results are in hand.

Families planning to use the certified teacher evaluation should arrange for the teacher’s review well in advance of the October 1 renewal deadline.

Beyond the renewal requirement, record keeping serves several other practical purposes:

Re-enrollment: When a home study student returns to public school, the school evaluates the student to determine appropriate grade placement. Well-organized records of completed coursework, grades, and a portfolio can help the placement process. LDOE guidelines note that families have 10 days after receiving an approval letter to present a copy to the previous school to complete withdrawal procedures.

High school diploma: The home study program — not BESE or the LDOE — is responsible for creating and issuing a diploma. The LDOE provides a sample high school diploma template in Appendix C of the BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines. Home study diplomas carry the same weight as state-issued diplomas for public postsecondary institutions, state departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and other governmental entities (R.S. 17:236.1(G)).

TOPS scholarship eligibility: Students seeking the TOPS college scholarship must be enrolled in a BESE-Approved Home Study Program for both 11th and 12th grade and must meet TOPS ACT requirements. If the student previously attended a Louisiana public or nonpublic high school, that school must certify in writing (on school letterhead, signed by the principal or appropriate personnel) that the student was in good standing at the time of last attendance. Send original certification documents to: LOSFA, Scholarship/Grant Division, P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202.

Driver’s license: Louisiana DMV requires documentation of homeschool status to obtain a learner’s permit or driver’s license. The LDOE provides a list of required documentation in Appendix E of the Guidelines.

LA GATOR Scholarship Program

Louisiana’s LA GATOR (Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise) Scholarship Program was created by Act 1 of the 2024 Louisiana Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. It provides eligible families with education scholarship accounts (ESAs) — state-funded accounts to pay for approved education expenses including nonpublic school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks, curricula, dual enrollment, educational software, uniforms, and more.

Eligibility for LA GATOR requires that the student not be enrolled in a BESE-Approved Home Study Program. Under the current program policy (BESE Bulletin 133), students participating in an active home study program are ineligible. A family wishing to use LA GATOR funds must disenroll from any home study program upon accepting a scholarship. This is a meaningful trade-off: LA GATOR funds can be used for curriculum, tutoring, and other educational expenses — but not while operating as a BESE-Approved Home Study family.

For families who have left the home study pathway (or who have never enrolled in one), LA GATOR eligibility requires that the student:

Is a Louisiana resident in grades K–12
Meets one of the following: participated in LA GATOR during the prior school year; is entering kindergarten; was enrolled in a public school on both October 1 and February 1 of the prior school year; or comes from a household with income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level

Award amounts for 2025–2026 (per the LDOE):

Up to $15,253 for students with a verified disability under IDEA (tiered by disability type)
$7,626 for students from households earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty level
$5,243 for all other eligible students

Awards are calculated as a percentage of the prior year’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) per-pupil funding. Funding is subject to annual legislative appropriation and is not guaranteed — eligible students are prioritized based on current enrollment, disability status, income, and sibling status.

Application window: The 2026–2027 application window ran March 1–16, 2026. Returning participants must renew through the Odyssey portal during the annual window or lose eligibility. New applicants may apply during the same window for open scholarships.

For questions, contact the LA GATOR team at lagator@la.gov or call 225-422-1538. Visit the LDOE LA GATOR page for current information.

Source: LDOE LA GATOR Families; LDOE LA GATOR Policy (BESE Bulletin 133)

Withdrawing from public school

The process for withdrawing a student from public school in Louisiana is straightforward. Under Louisiana law, a public school cannot refuse to let a parent withdraw their child.

Steps for transitioning to a BESE-Approved Home Study Program:

Apply for home study first, if possible. The LDOE and BESE Guidelines recommend applying for home study approval before — or simultaneously with — withdrawing from public school. However, you may withdraw before receiving approval. If a child between the ages of 5 and 18 (who has not graduated) is not enrolled in a public or nonpublic school and is not participating in an approved home study program for at least 180 days in the school year, the parents may be in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law (R.S. 17:221).
Submit the online home study application. File at webapps.doe.louisiana.gov/publicapps/homestudy_app/homestudy_app.aspx within 15 days of beginning the program.
Notify the former school. Upon receiving the approval letter, families have 10 days to present a copy to the previous school to complete the withdrawal process. Families may also provide a copy before formal approval is received.
No refusal permitted. A school cannot refuse to let a parent withdraw a child from public school to pursue home study.

Students with disabilities: If your child receives special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), note that the public school’s IDEA obligations do not automatically follow students into a home study program. If you are considering withdrawing a student with an IEP, speak with your school district’s special education coordinator about the implications before making the transition. Home study students may request access to the LDOE’s special education guidance — contact special.education@la.gov through the LDOE.

Re-enrollment in public school: Families who wish to return a student to public school may do so. Contact your local city or parish school board for enrollment procedures. Grade placement will be determined by the school at the time of re-enrollment.

Support and community

Louisiana has an active homeschool community with statewide organizations and local support groups.

Statewide resources:

Homeschool Louisiana — Statewide support organization referenced by the LDOE. Provides information on curriculum choices, homeschool community events, and co-ops. homeschoollouisiana.org
Louisiana Home Education Network (LAHEN) — One of Louisiana’s older statewide networks, serving families across the state with legal information, support, and community connections.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — National membership organization providing legal representation and advocacy for homeschool families. hslda.org
National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) — Research and informational resource listed by the LDOE. nheri.org

LDOE Contact Information:

Home Study email: homestudy@la.gov
Toll-free: 1-877-453-2721
Mailing address: Louisiana Department of Education, 1201 N. 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Interscholastic athletics: Students enrolled in a BESE-Approved Home Study Program may participate in interscholastic athletic activities. Contact your local school district or the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) for specific eligibility rules and documentation requirements.

Textbooks: Home study families may borrow state-approved textbooks from their local school system if extra copies are available. The local school system may charge a refundable deposit for each book borrowed (BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines, Section III).

HiSET exam: Home study students who wish to earn a High School Equivalency credential may take the HiSET exam. Details are included in Section III of the BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines. Note that a BESE-approved diploma from a home study program has the same legal weight as a state-issued diploma, so the HiSET is typically not necessary for students completing a home study program through 12th grade.