Homeschooling in Louisiana: A Complete Guide for Families

Most parents in Louisiana didn’t start thinking about homeschooling because something went wrong. They started because they saw something they wanted more of — more conversation, more curiosity, more time with their kids actually learning about complex ideas that will equip them for the real world.

This guide covers everything you need to know to get started with homeschooling in this state, from Louisiana’s two legal pathways to graduation, college prep, and curriculum choices. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, a faith-based curriculum, or a pace that fits your child’s needs, the Bayou State offers two clear legal pathways — and this guide walks you through both.

Why Homeschool At All?

Most parents who end up homeschooling didn't set out to. They started with a quieter question: Is there more my kid could be getting?

Not more worksheets. Not more test prep. More of the conversations that make a child lean forward at the dinner table and ask, but why does that happen? More of the moments where something clicks, and not because it was on the curriculum, but because it connected to something real.

The world your child is growing up in is genuinely complex. Prices rise and fall. Governments make decisions that affect every family. History shapes the present in ways most textbooks barely touch. And somewhere along the way, the explanations most kids get for how it all works are a lot shallower than the questions they're actually asking.

That's the gap homeschooling families are in a position to close.

A child who spends real time on economics, history, and character doesn't just accumulate facts — they start to understand how things work, and why that understanding matters. That's a different kind of confidence than what a test score measures.

Louisiana Homeschool Laws: Understanding Your Options

If you're considering homeschooling in Louisiana, it’s important to understand the laws and options available to you. The state offers two paths to legally homeschool your kids, each with its own set of rules, benefits, and flexibility. Understanding the differences helps you choose what works best for your family.

Option 1: The BESE-Approved Home Study Program

The Approved Home Study Program is overseen by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). This option comes with some great benefits, but also some paperwork.  

Requirements:

• Submit an initial application to the Louisiana Department of Education within 15 days of starting your homeschool program.
• Provide your child's birth certificate and proof of immunization (or a qualified exemption)
• Renew your application by October 1st each year.
• Complete at least 180 days of instruction per school year.
• Louisiana requires that the curriculum be of “sustained quality” — comparable to what’s taught in public schools. In practice, most homeschool families end up going well beyond that baseline.

Benefits:

• Homeschool students can participate in public school sports with the school principal's approval.
• Students may be eligible for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship if they are enrolled in 11th and 12th grades.
• Families can accept state or federal education funds if available.
• Standardized test scores can be used to demonstrate educational progress on renewal applications.

This option is great for families who want to stay connected with public school activities or plan to pursue state scholarship programs.

Option 2: Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval

Looking for flexibility? Then this one's for you. The Nonpublic School option offers greater flexibility with less government involvement. Under this pathway, your homeschool operates as a private school and does not seek state approval.

Requirements:

• Submit annual attendance records to the Louisiana Department of Education by October 15th.
• Provide at least 180 days of instruction per school year.

What's NOT required:

• No approval application needed.
• No curriculum approval.
• No standardized tests.
• No proof of immunization submitted to the state.
• No specific subject requirements.

There are a few considerations you have to bear in mind.

• Homeschool families cannot accept government funding.
• Students are not eligible for TOPS scholarships through this pathway.
• No guaranteed access to public school sports or extracurricular activities

This option's perfect for families who value their independence and want to avoid state involvement. It's also a great fit for alternative approaches, such as unschooling. If this pathway appeals to you, pairing it with learning resources that build real-world thinking (which incorporates economics, history, and character) means your child gains more than facts – they gain the ability to understand how the world actually works.

Getting Started: How to Begin Homeschooling in Louisiana

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Ready to start homeschooling? Here's a step-by-step breakdown for each option.

Starting with the Approved Home Study Program

1. Submit your application to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education within 15 days of beginning your homeschool program.
2. Include your child's birth certificate and proof of immunization (or exemption documentation)
3. Develop a curriculum that covers the required subjects at your child's grade level.
4. Keep attendance records throughout the school year.
5. Renew your application annually by October 1st.  

The Louisiana Department of Education provides official forms and guidance on their website. Don’t forget to keep copies of your submissions.

Starting with the Nonpublic School Option

1. Start homeschooling whenever you're ready. There’s no prior approval needed.
2. Keep attendance logs documenting your 180 days of instruction.
3. Submit attendance records to the Louisiana Department of Education by October 15th each year.

That's the extent of your legal obligations under this option. Many Louisiana homeschoolers choose this path specifically because it respects parental authority over educational decisions.

Louisiana Homeschool Curriculum: What to Teach

One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling in Louisiana is the freedom to choose a curriculum. You get to choose what and how your child learns, without settling for a rigid schedule or state-approved materials.

Approved Home Study Program Curriculum Requirements

If you go the BESE-approved route, your curriculum needs to be of "sustained quality" and cover core subjects such as:

• English language arts.
• Mathematics.
• Science.
• Social studies.
• Physical education.

You're free to choose your own educational materials and teaching methods. Many homeschool families use curriculum packets, online courses, accredited homeschool programs, unit studies, field trips, and co-op classes with other homeschool groups. Families in the Approved Home Study Program often find that ready-to-use curriculum bundles (like those in the Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub) cover core subjects while opening up conversations kids actually want to keep having at dinner. It’s one chapter that earns the next.

Nonpublic School Curriculum Freedom

Under the nonpublic school option, the state doesn’t mandate any required subjects. You have complete control over what, when, and how your child learns, whether it’s traditional curricula or classical education. You can help your child build character, empathy, and understanding of the world around them through your teachings.  

Pro tip: Even without state requirements, covering core academic areas prepares your child for standardized tests and college applications.

Homeschool Groups and Community in Louisiana

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Homeschooling doesn't mean educating in isolation. Louisiana has a vibrant homeschool community with groups, co-ops, and support organizations.

Benefits of Connecting with Other Homeschoolers

• Co-op classes: Share teaching responsibilities with other homeschool parents
• Group field trips: Museums and historical sites often offer discounted rates for homeschool groups. These are sure to inspire dinner table conversations later
• Sports and extracurricular activities: Many areas have homeschool sports teams
• Social opportunities: Park days, group projects, and community events
• Experienced guidance: Veteran homeschool parents can answer questions

Search for local co-ops in your area. Baton Rouge to even smaller parishes have active networks. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) also provides legal support for homeschooling families.

Tracking Progress: Records and Assessment

While Louisiana homeschooling laws are relatively relaxed, keeping good records benefits your family in multiple ways.

What Records to Keep

Even though formal reporting is minimal, maintain documentation of:

• Attendance logs: Required for both options (180 days minimum)
• Courses completed: List subjects covered each year
• Curriculum materials: Receipts or lists of textbooks and other educational materials
• Samples of student work: Portfolios demonstrating students' progress
• Standardized test results: Optional but useful for college applications
• Field trips and activities: Document learning beyond textbooks

Standardized Testing

Louisiana homeschoolers are not required to take standardized tests. However, testing can be useful for:

• Measuring your students' progress against grade-level expectations
• Identifying areas that need more attention
• Preparing for college entrance exams
• Demonstrating academic progress on BESE renewal applications

Many homeschool families choose to administer standardized tests annually, even without a legal requirement. It's a great way to get objective feedback and ensure your child stays on track.

For high school students planning to attend college, taking the SAT or ACT is strongly recommended, regardless of which homeschool option you choose. For high schoolers heading toward college entrance exams and independent life, Tuttle Twins Academy materials give teens a working vocabulary for economics, history, and critical thinking. Our books for teens are also fantastic resources, introducing your child to the kind of depth and character that shows up in college essays and admissions interviews – not just test scores.

Graduation Requirements and Diplomas

In Louisiana, homeschool students aren't eligible for a state diploma. Parents must provide a diploma for their graduating child. Here’s what you need to know about how to handle this homeschooling aspect:

Set Your Own Graduation Requirements

As a homeschool parent, you determine when your child has completed their education. Most families require their children to complete core courses in English, math, science, and social studies, as well as demonstrated readiness for college or career.

Create a Homeschool Diploma and Transcript

You'll need to create a diploma and a detailed transcript showing courses completed and grades earned. Templates are available online. Document everything thoroughly because colleges need clear records to evaluate homeschool applicants.

College Preparation for Louisiana Homeschoolers

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Homeschool students in Louisiana can apply to colleges just like students from public schools or private school backgrounds. However, preparation is key.

What Colleges Want:

• Transcripts: Detailed records of courses completed and grades
• Standardized test scores: SAT or ACT scores carry significant weight
• Course descriptions: Brief explanations of what each class covered
• Extracurricular activities: Sports, volunteer work, community involvement
• Letters of recommendation: From co-op teachers, coaches, or mentors

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program can significantly reduce college costs. To be eligible, homeschool students must be enrolled in a BESE-approved home study program during 11th and 12th grades and meet GPA and test score requirements.

Students in the nonpublic school option are not eligible for TOPS.

Reaching Out to Admissions Offices

Colleges handle homeschool applicants differently. Contact admissions offices early to understand their specific requirements.

Financial Considerations: Costs and Tax Benefits

Louisiana does not provide state funding for homeschooling-related expenses. Parents are responsible for all costs associated with curriculum, educational materials, and other educational expenses.

Typical Homeschool Costs

Parents are responsible for these expenses:

• Curriculum and textbooks: $200-$1,000+ per year
• Online courses: $0-$500+ per course
• Testing fees: $50-$100 for standardized tests
• Supplies and field trips: Varies

Some families keep it tight with library books and free resources, while others invest in comprehensive programs.

Tax Benefits for Homeschooling Families

Louisiana offers a School Expense Deduction of $5,000 per dependent for qualifying educational expenses, including curriculum and textbooks.

Homeschooling families may also be eligible for federal benefits, such as the Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows tax-free growth for qualified educational expenses.

Note: The LA GATOR Scholarship Program (education savings account) is not currently available to families in state-approved home study programs.

Special Circumstances

Special Education Services:

Homeschool students may be eligible for special education services through their local school district. Reach out to your district to explore options.

Switching Between Options:

Parents can switch between the Approved Home Study Program and the Nonpublic School option at any time.

Compulsory Attendance:

Louisiana requires children ages seven to 18 to attend school, which includes approved homeschooling. Both options satisfy compulsory attendance rules.

Is Homeschooling in Louisiana Right for Your Family?

Louisiana gives families real room to make this decision on their own terms — and both pathways are built to work. Whether you choose the structured Approved Home Study Program or the independent Nonpublic School pathway, you're taking responsibility for your child's education. 

You already know your child better than any curriculum does. Louisiana’s homeschool laws give you the room to build on that. Choose your path, start small, and let the conversations grow from there — that’s where the real learning happens.

Quick Reference: Louisiana Homeschooling at a Glance

Requirement	Approved Home Study	Nonpublic School
Initial application	Within 15 days	Not required
Annual renewal	By October 1st	Attendance records by October 15th
Days of instruction	180 minimum	180 minimum
Curriculum approval	Must equal public school quality	No requirements
Standardized testing	Optional (can use for renewal)	Not required
Immunization records	Required	Not required
TOPS eligibility	Yes (if enrolled in 11th-12th grade)	No
Public school sports	Yes (with principal approval)	No
Government funding	Eligible	Not eligible
Parent qualifications	None required	None required

References

Louisiana Department of Education. Home study program information.

Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 17:236