How to start homeschooling in Louisiana
Everything Louisiana asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool
Louisiana gives families 2 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
BESE-approved home study program: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
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.
Required school ages in Louisiana: 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). Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification requirement.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Louisiana also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: 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.
What it includes: 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.
Louisiana names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Louisiana sets a minimum.
LDOE guidelines: programs must maintain 180 instructional days. No hour requirement found.
Cover the required subjects
Louisiana doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
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.
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.
Keep the records the state asks for
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).
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
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 for this option
- 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 page: 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. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
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.
Required school ages in Louisiana: 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). Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification requirement found (independent nonpublic school staff must meet the school's own standards, R.S. 17:236).
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Louisiana also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Within 30 days of the start of the school term, each year.
What it includes: 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.
Louisiana names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Louisiana sets a minimum.
To be classified as a school, an institution must operate a minimum session of not less than 180 days (R.S. 17:236). No hour requirement found.
Cover the required subjects
Louisiana doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
No required subjects stated in statute or LDOE guidance; parents select the curriculum.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No state testing required; LDOE says 4th and 8th grade LEAP is available on request through the local school system.
Keep records anyway
Louisiana doesn’t require records under this option.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
The school (parent) issues the diploma; LDOE states the diploma is not recognized by the state.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: R.S. 17:232(C) and 17:221.3 were cited from LDOE guidance and not read directly on legis.la.gov. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Louisiana checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Louisiana · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Louisiana’s rules for “BESE-approved home study program”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (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)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read Louisiana’s rules for “Nonpublic school not seeking state approval”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Within 30 days of the start of the school term, each year)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Louisiana parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: Yes. When: 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. What to file: 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.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: Yes. When: Within 30 days of the start of the school term, each year. What to file: 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.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: LDOE guidelines: programs must maintain 180 instructional days. No hour requirement found.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: To be classified as a school, an institution must operate a minimum session of not less than 180 days (R.S. 17:236). No hour requirement found.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: Yes, 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.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: No state testing required; LDOE says 4th and 8th grade LEAP is available on request through the local school system.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: No parent qualification requirement.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: No parent qualification requirement found (independent nonpublic school staff must meet the school's own standards, R.S. 17:236).
What subjects are required in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: Louisiana doesn’t list required subjects.
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: Louisiana doesn’t list required subjects.
What records do I need to keep in Louisiana?
BESE-approved home study program: 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).
Nonpublic school not seeking state approval: Louisiana doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Keep going
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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