Homeschooling in Louisiana

The homeschool rules in Louisiana, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

Homeschooling? Classfern Family keeps your plans, tutors’ lessons and records in one place – £40 (about $50) a year for your whole family. What’s in Family

Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: Louisiana official page.

Broad level: Moderate regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Compulsory school age: From age 5 (by September 30) through age 18, unless a parent defers kindergarten under R.S. 17:151.3(D). – R.S. 17:221(A)(1)(b), checked October 25, 2026.

Your options

(1) BESE-approved home study program (R.S. 17:236.1): state application and renewal. (2) Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: enrollment information is submitted to LDOE every year online, and the confirmation letter is valid for one year. Written notice goes to the last public school within 10 days (R.S. 17:221.3). There are no state tests; LDOE cannot confirm such schools meet the R.S. 17:236 definition of a school. Students are not TOPS-eligible.

Education savings accounts: LA GATOR education scholarship accounts, run by the Louisiana Department of Education, cannot be used at the same time as a BESE-approved or registered home study program: families must agree to leave LA GATOR if the student enrolls in home study. Students who do not attend a participating school must take the state ELA and math tests or a BESE-approved norm-referenced test, paid from the account. See LA GATOR program policy.

Notice or letter of intent

Initial application to LDOE within 15 days of starting, with a certified birth certificate copy. Renewal by Oct 1 (or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later) each year and at each grade advance.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Packet guidance names math, English, social studies and science; parents choose the curriculum.
Days or hours: At least 180 days per school year.
Testing or assessment: Renewal needs one of: a curriculum packet (outline, materials, work samples), standardized test scores at or above grade level (or one year's progress), or a statement from a teacher certified at that grade. State tests are optional via the local board (up to $35).
Records: Keep documentation for renewal; no separate statutory record list given.

Parent qualifications

None.

Other rules

Compulsory age 5 to 18. Approval letter used for driver's license attendance (R.S. 32:431.1). TOPS requires approved home study in grades 11–12. Parent-issued diplomas must not imply state issuance.

Official forms

Online application/renewal: webapps.doe.louisiana.gov/…

The law

La. R.S. 17:236, 17:236.1 (last amended Acts 2010, No. 677); R.S. 17:221, 17:221.3; BESE Bulletin 741 – read the law

Who to contact

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) – Approved Home Study Program[email protected] · 1-877-453-2721 · Official pageWho handles notices: State (BESE-approved home study: application and annual renewal to LDOE)

Special education and public school classes and sports

Approved home study students do NOT qualify for IDEA services or Section 504/ADA accommodations; contact the local education agency first. Under Act 715, a public school cannot bar a home study student living in its zone from extracurriculars or athletics solely for being home-schooled; the same tryout, GPA and discipline rules apply.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Louisiana

To enroll your child in a public school in Louisiana, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Louisiana in the official sources we checked – see the Louisiana official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.