Louisiana homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about Louisiana homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
Louisiana offers two main options for homeschooling — a home study program approved by the state Board of Education or operating as an approved non-public school. Both paths require application and approval, making Louisiana a moderately regulated state for home education.
Louisiana provides two primary legal options for families who wish to educate their children at home. Both require initial approval from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), but they differ in their ongoing requirements.
The Home Study Program is the most common option, governed by R.S. 17:236.1. Key features:
This is the path chosen by the majority of Louisiana homeschool families.
Families may also operate as a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved non-public school:
This option is less common for individual families but is used by some homeschool groups and umbrella schools.
Louisiana's compulsory attendance law (R.S. 17:221) requires children ages 7 through 18 to attend school. R.S. 17:236.1 provides the specific exemption for approved home study programs, while the Louisiana Constitution Article VIII recognizes the right of parents to choose non-public education for their children.
Louisiana requires more paperwork than many states. Under the Home Study Program, families must submit an application to the LDOE and renew it annually.
To begin homeschooling, you must submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Education within 15 days of withdrawing your child from school or beginning your home study program. The application includes:
The LDOE must approve the application. Approval is generally automatic when the application is properly completed and submitted on time. The department has 15 days to respond.
Each year, homeschool families must submit a renewal application by August 15 (or within 15 days of the start of the school year). The renewal process is similar to the initial application and confirms that you intend to continue homeschooling for the upcoming year.
Along with the renewal, parents must submit evidence that the program is offering a "sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools." This is typically satisfied by listing the curriculum or materials being used.
If your child is enrolled in public school, you must formally withdraw them. Louisiana allows withdrawal for home study at any time during the school year. Steps include:
Your child should not begin homeschooling until the LDOE has approved your application (or 15 days have passed without a response, which constitutes automatic approval).
Louisiana's 15-day filing window is strict. Submit your application promptly when withdrawing from school or starting your home study program. Late applications may create complications with compulsory attendance enforcement.
Louisiana requires that the home study program offer a "sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools" at the same grade level. While specific subjects are not enumerated in the statute, the "equal quality" standard implies covering core academic areas.
To meet the "equal quality" standard, most Louisiana homeschool families include:
Additional subjects like foreign language, art, and music enrich the program but are not explicitly required.
Despite the quality standard, families retain significant freedom:
The LDOE does not evaluate or approve specific curricula; families simply indicate what they plan to use.
The "quality at least equal to public schools" standard is broadly interpreted. As long as you are providing genuine instruction in core academic areas using legitimate educational materials, you will generally meet this standard. The Louisiana Student Standards can serve as a helpful reference for grade-level expectations.
Louisiana does not require any special qualifications for parents who homeschool under the Home Study Program. There is no requirement for teacher certification, a college degree, or any formal training.
Any parent or legal guardian can establish a home study program regardless of their own educational background. Louisiana law focuses on the quality of the program rather than the credentials of the instructor.
Louisiana does not require parents to:
While no credentials are required, parents take on full responsibility for providing quality instruction. Many Louisiana homeschool families take advantage of:
These are voluntary supports — not legal requirements.
Louisiana does not require homeschool students to take standardized tests. Students in approved home study programs are exempt from LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) and other state assessments.
There are no state-mandated evaluations, portfolio reviews, or formal progress assessments for home study students. The state trusts that the approved program is being implemented in good faith.
However, Louisiana does require that parents maintain evidence that their program is offering a sustained curriculum of quality equal to public schools. This is self-reported and not formally evaluated through testing.
Many Louisiana families voluntarily assess their children:
Optional and for the family's own use in tracking progress.
Students planning for college should prepare for:
Louisiana public universities require ACT or SAT scores for admission. TOPS scholarship eligibility also requires ACT scores.
Louisiana's Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship is available to homeschool graduates who meet certain ACT score requirements and complete a prescribed core curriculum. Homeschool families planning for TOPS should carefully follow the TOPS core curriculum requirements throughout high school.
Louisiana requires home study programs to operate for a minimum of 180 days per school year, the same as public schools. While the law does not specify exact daily hours, instruction should be comparable to the public school day.
Louisiana law does not explicitly require detailed recordkeeping beyond what is needed for the annual renewal application. However, maintaining good records is essential for demonstrating the quality of your program.
Maintaining thorough records is strongly recommended for compliance and practical purposes:
Good records support your annual renewal and are essential if your child later enrolls in public school or applies to college.
For high school students, meticulous recordkeeping is critical — especially if pursuing the TOPS scholarship. Keep detailed course records showing:
Louisiana has a moderate level of oversight compared to many states, primarily through the application and renewal process administered by the Louisiana Department of Education.
The Louisiana Department of Education's involvement includes:
The LDOE does not conduct home visits, inspect curricula, or administer tests to homeschool students. The oversight is primarily administrative through the application process.
Local school districts in Louisiana do not directly oversee home study programs. Their primary role is enforcing compulsory attendance for students not enrolled in any program.
Once your home study is approved by the LDOE, the local district should not interfere with your program. If you receive inquiries from local officials, providing your LDOE approval documentation should resolve any concerns.
As long as you maintain your approved status by filing annual renewals on time, you should not face any enforcement issues. Louisiana's oversight is structured and predictable, which can actually be reassuring for families who want a clear legal framework.
Louisiana provides clear legal protections for homeschooling families:
Be aware of these potential issues in Louisiana:
Failing to file the application on time
The 15-day window for initial applications and the August 15 renewal deadline are strict. Late filing could result in loss of approved status and truancy issues.
Not renewing annually
Forgetting to renew your home study approval means your child is not legally exempt from compulsory attendance. Set calendar reminders well before August 15.
TOPS curriculum requirements
If you plan for your child to receive the TOPS scholarship, you must carefully follow the specific core curriculum requirements throughout high school. Failing to meet these requirements could disqualify your child.
Louisiana's approval-based system means that staying in good standing is primarily a matter of filing paperwork on time. Keep copies of all submissions and approval letters.
If you encounter any difficulties with the LDOE or local officials, Louisiana homeschool organizations and HSLDA can provide guidance and advocacy.
Louisiana has an active homeschool community with organizations and resources to support families:
LAHEN is a statewide inclusive homeschool organization providing:
CHEF provides support for Louisiana homeschool families:
Louisiana has local homeschool communities throughout the state:
LAHEN and CHEF maintain directories of local groups across Louisiana.
Legal resources for Louisiana homeschoolers:
Our AI-powered tools can help Louisiana homeschoolers with curriculum planning, content creation, and assessment design. Whether you're preparing for TOPS eligibility or building a custom education program, our tools create personalized learning experiences tailored to your family's needs.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist Louisiana homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping Louisiana homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Louisiana's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required Louisiana subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for Louisiana homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in Louisiana:
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Co-ops & Learning Communities PaidLast Updated: March 23, 2026