Homeschooling in Louisiana: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in Louisiana, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Louisiana sources. State page: Louisiana Department of Education — BESE-Approved Home Study Program. Compulsory school age: Age 5 (by September 30 of the calendar year the school year begins) through 18, unless kindergarten enrollment is deferred under R.S. 17:151.3(D) or the child graduates before 18 (since 2022-2023 school year).
BESE-approved home study program
Parents apply to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for approval and renew yearly with evidence the child is receiving a curriculum at least equal to public school.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Initial: no later than 15 days after the home study program begins. Renewal: by October 1 of the school year or within 12 months of approval of the initial application, whichever is later. — Application to BESE (filed online with LDOE). Initial application must include 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 public schools at the same grade level. Renewal yearly. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | — No subject list; the program must offer "a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level." Parents choose the curriculum. |
| Days | 180 days — LDOE guidelines: programs must maintain 180 instructional days. |
| Hours | No hour requirement found. |
| Testing or evaluation | Required every year. At each renewal the parent submits evidence of quality by ONE of: (1) packet of materials (curriculum outline, resources, work samples, test scores, third-party observation); (2) standardized test scores (e.g. California Achievement Test) at or above grade level, or passing a competency-based exam given by the local school board/LDOE; or (3) a statement from a Louisiana-certified teacher that the child is being taught a curriculum at least equal to public school. State assessments are not required. |
| Records | Required. Records needed to support the renewal evidence (curriculum, work samples, test scores or teacher statement). No retention period stated. LDOE advises keeping approval letters (e.g. for OMV/driver's license). |
| Teacher | No parent qualification requirement. |
| Other | Child in an approved home study program is considered in attendance at a day school (R.S. 17:236) and in compliance with compulsory attendance (R.S. 17:221(E)(2)). |
By grade
Subjects by grade: No subject list; the program must offer "a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level." Parents choose the curriculum.
High school and graduation
Parents create and issue the diploma (LDOE provides a template). By statute, diplomas of approved home study programs are recognized by state institutions and agencies the same as nonpublic school diplomas (R.S. 17:236.1(G)).
Official sources:
- La. R.S. 17:236.1 — Approval of home study programs
- La. R.S. 17:236 — Definition of a school
- La. R.S. 17:221 — School attendance; compulsory ages
- LDOE — BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines and Instructions
- LDOE — BESE-Approved Home Study Program page
- LDOE — Louisiana Home Study Options comparison
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: The 180-day figure for home study comes from LDOE guidance; R.S. 17:236.1 itself does not state a day count. Immunization rules for home study were not checked.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval
A parent operates a private (nonpublic) school that does not seek state approval and reports enrollment/attendance to LDOE each year. The state does not verify progress and does not recognize the diploma.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Within 30 days of the start of the school term, each year. — Report the child's attendance/enrollment to the Louisiana Department of Education using LDOE's online attendance submission form (R.S. 17:221(E)(1)(a), R.S. 17:232(C)). If the child leaves a public school, notify that school within ten days of enrollment (R.S. 17:221.3, per LDOE guidelines). Annual. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | — No required subjects stated in statute or LDOE guidance; parents select the curriculum. |
| Days | 180 days — To be classified as a school, an institution must operate a minimum session of not less than 180 days (R.S. 17:236). |
| Hours | No hour requirement found. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No state testing required; LDOE says 4th and 8th grade LEAP is available on request through the local school system. |
| Records | No records specified; the parent/administrator must provide documentation if proof of education is requested. |
| Teacher | No parent qualification requirement found (independent nonpublic school staff must meet the school's own standards, R.S. 17:236). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
The school (parent) issues the diploma; LDOE states the diploma is not recognized by the state.
Official sources:
- La. R.S. 17:221 — School attendance; compulsory ages
- La. R.S. 17:236 — Definition of a school
- LDOE — Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval Guidelines and Instructions
- LDOE — Louisiana Home Study Options comparison
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: R.S. 17:232(C) and 17:221.3 were cited from LDOE guidance and not read directly on legis.la.gov.
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Social Studies Social Studies 4; Financial Literacy 1 | 5.0 |
| Foreign Language | 2.0 |
| Fine Arts Art 1 | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Physical Education 1.5; Health Education 0.5 | 2.0 |
| Electives | 2.0 |
| Total | 24.0 |
|---|
TOPS University (college) diploma, 24 units. For students entering grade 9 in 2024-2025 and later, financial literacy is required and 2 electives; earlier cohorts had 3 electives and no financial literacy unit. A TOPS Tech (career) diploma path also exists.
Source: LDOE — TOPS University (College Diploma) Course Requirements
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
2024 HB 550 (would have replaced BESE approval with a one-time homeschool notice) appears in engrossed form only; the current R.S. 17:236.1 text on legis.la.gov shows no amendment after Acts 2010, No. 677, and LDOE still runs the BESE-approved program, so the existing two options are recorded. 2025 HB 371 (home study cooperatives) was not confirmed as enacted.
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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