Homeschool by State
Homeschooling in Louisiana: Requirements, Records & How to Get Started
Everything Louisiana families need to homeschool with confidence — the law in plain English, the records to keep, and the tools to generate them in minutes.
Idaho homeschool law, summarized
Louisiana is one of the most homeschool-friendly states
What Louisiana actually requires
Louisiana gives families two distinct legal paths to homeschool. The first is the BESE-approved Home Study Program, governed by RS 17:236.1, where you apply within 15 days of beginning and renew every year by submitting proof that your program is at least equal to the public schools. That proof can be a portfolio, standardized test results, or a statement from a certified teacher — your choice of the three. The second path is registering as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, which involves a simpler annual enrollment registration but does not confer the same benefits.
The choice between the two options is really a trade-off between paperwork and benefits, and that is where organized records pay off. Home Study students are eligible for TOPS scholarships and may join local public-school activities at the principal’s discretion, but the program’s annual renewal demands documented evidence of quality. Keeping a running portfolio — course outlines, the books you used, dated samples of your child’s work, and any assessment results — turns each year’s renewal into a quick, confident submission. Those same records become the backbone of a transcript and a graduation record, since the state does not issue a diploma under either route.
Official Louisiana resources
Always confirm current rules directly with the state. These are the authoritative sources:
Louisiana Dept. of Education — Home Study doe.louisiana.gov ↗HSLDA — Louisiana Homeschool Laws hslda.org ↗
The records smart Louisiana families keep
Keeping clean, organized records is the simplest way for Louisiana families to stay ready for anything — and Homeschool Reports generates each one in minutes.
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Choosing a Louisiana homeschool curriculum
Louisiana gives families broad freedom to choose the curriculum and materials that fit their child — from full boxed programs to a custom mix. Whatever you choose, keeping simple records of what you cover makes the year far easier to document.
Common questions about homeschooling in Louisiana
What are the two ways to homeschool in Louisiana?
You can enroll in the BESE-approved Home Study Program (apply within 15 days, renew annually) or register as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, which requires only an annual enrollment registration.
How do I renew Louisiana’s Home Study Program each year?
You submit evidence your program equals the public schools using one of three methods: a portfolio, standardized test results at or above grade level, or a statement from a certified teacher.
Is standardized testing required to homeschool in Louisiana?
No — testing is optional and is only one of three ways to demonstrate program quality at renewal.
Which option makes my child eligible for TOPS?
Only the BESE-approved Home Study Program makes students eligible for TOPS scholarships; students under the nonpublic not-seeking-approval route are not TOPS-eligible.
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