Louisiana · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Louisiana

Louisiana asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearBESE Option 1: apply within 15 days of beginning; renew annually by October 1. Nonpublic Option 2: written notification to the school the student previously attended within 10 days of enrollment

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time180 days a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Louisiana

Written from Louisiana's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Louisiana asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: BESE Option 1: apply within 15 days of beginning; renew annually by October 1. Nonpublic Option 2: written notification to the school the student previously attended within 10 days of enrollment You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1.
Cover the subjects the state names
Louisiana names 2 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Louisiana does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Louisiana asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: BESE Option 1 (required): choose one annually — (a) LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) standardized test; (b) California Achievement Test (CAT) or other BESE-approved standardized test at/above grade level or showing one grade level of progress per year; (c) written statement from a teacher certified at the child's grade level verifying instruction in a sustained curriculum equal to public school standards; Nonpublic Option 2: no state-mandated assessment; school sets its own standards. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1
When it is due: BESE Option 1: apply within 15 days of beginning; renew annually by October 1. Nonpublic Option 2: written notification to the school the student previously attended within 10 days of enrollment
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: BESE Option 1 (required): choose one annually — (a) LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) standardized test; (b) California Achievement Test (CAT) or other BESE-approved standardized test at/above grade level or showing one grade level of progress per year; (c) written statement from a teacher certified at the child's grade level verifying instruction in a sustained curriculum equal to public school standards
Nonpublic Option 2: no state-mandated assessment; school sets its own standards
Named tests: LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program)California Achievement Test (CAT)Other BESE-approved nationally normed standardized tests
Portfolio: Not required

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: BESE Option 1: curriculum must be 'of quality at least equal to that being taught in the public schools' — local district may designate specific subjectsNonpublic Option 2: no mandated subjects
Instruction time: 180 days a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Option 1 – BESE-Approved Home Study Program: apply to Louisiana BESE within 15 days of starting; annually renew by October 1; provide curriculum equivalent to public schools; 180 days of instruction; annual assessment; eligible for state-equivalent diploma, TOPS scholarship, and public school sports
Option 2 – Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval: homeschool operates as a private school; notify previous school within 10 days; 180 days required; report total attendance to LA DOE by 30th day of term; no subjects, assessment, or approval required; no state funding or public school sports access

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: BESE-Approved Home Study Program students (Option 1) may participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities at their local school. Nonpublic school students (Option 2) are not eligible for public school sports or TOPS scholarships. Louisiana is generally listed among states with Tim Tebow-style access for the BESE pathway.
Dual enrollment: BESE-approved home study students are eligible for Louisiana's Taylor Opportunity Program Scholarships (TOPS) and may participate in dual enrollment at Louisiana postsecondary institutions. Option 2 nonpublic school students are not eligible for TOPS but may still apply for dual enrollment at institutions that accept them.
Diplomas: BESE Option 1 diplomas carry the same weight as a state-issued diploma and make graduates eligible for TOPS. Nonpublic Option 2 families issue their own diplomas without state recognition. Accredited correspondence programs can provide recognized diplomas for Option 2 families.
College admissions: Louisiana public universities (LSU, Tulane, ULL) have homeschool admissions policies. BESE-track students with state-equivalent diplomas are treated similarly to public school graduates. Option 2 students typically need strong ACT/SAT scores and a detailed transcript.
Support for additional needs: BESE-path students may have access to some public school special education services. Option 2 students do not retain FAPE rights and have limited access to services.

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Louisiana

LA GATOR Scholarship

Run by Louisiana Department of Education · payments through Odyssey

The award amount is set by the program and changes from year to year. Check the official page below for this year's figure rather than an estimate.

Curriculum and tutoring are both named as qualified education expenses.

Source: doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/la-gator/la-gator-service-providers. Checked July 26, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about Louisiana

Is homeschooling legal in Louisiana?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Louisiana. Louisiana has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires families to file a Notice of Intent by BESE Option 1: apply within 15 days of beginning; renew annually by October 1. Nonpublic Option 2: written notification to the school the student previously attended within 10 days of enrollment. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Louisiana?

Louisiana requires 180 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in Louisiana?

Louisiana requires instruction in the following subjects: BESE Option 1: curriculum must be 'of quality at least equal to that being taught in the public schools' — local district may designate specific subjects, Nonpublic Option 2: no mandated subjects.

Does Louisiana require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Louisiana requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: BESE Option 1 (required): choose one annually — (a) LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) standardized test; (b) California Achievement Test (CAT) or other BESE-approved standardized test at/above grade level or showing one grade level of progress per year; (c) written statement from a teacher certified at the child's grade level verifying instruction in a sustained curriculum equal to public school standards, Nonpublic Option 2: no state-mandated assessment; school sets its own standards.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. BESE-Approved Home Study Program students (Option 1) may participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities at their local school. Nonpublic school students (Option 2) are not eligible for public school sports or TOPS scholarships. Louisiana is generally listed among states with Tim Tebow-style access for the BESE pathway.

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Louisiana

Louisiana's two-pathway system creates a meaningful trade-off: BESE Option 1 offers state diploma recognition, TOPS scholarship eligibility, and sports access but requires annual application, renewal, 180 days, and annual assessment. Option 2 is minimally regulated but forfeits those benefits. Most families weigh the TOPS scholarship value (significant for in-state college tuition) against the regulatory burden. The Louisiana Home Education Network (LAHEN) and Homeschool Louisiana (homeschoollouisiana.org) provide support.

Source: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1 — doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Louisiana

Regulator: Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1
Official site: doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study
Forms: doe.louisiana.gov/topic-pages/louisiana-school-choice/home-study

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Louisiana's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from Louisiana's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Louisiana Department of Education / Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for Option 1. This is information for families, not legal advice.

Loading…