Louisiana Homeschool Requirements Explained (2025 Guide)

Are you thinking about making the switch to homeschooling in Louisiana? You’re not alone! Many parents are seeking more flexibility and autonomy than traditional schools can provide. 

Maybe you’ve homeschooled before, or you’re wondering how to get started. Whatever your situation, we’ll cover everything you need to know about homeschooling laws in Louisiana. 

Homeschooling in Louisiana at a Glance

Louisiana – The Pelican State

Option	BESE-Approved Home Study Program	Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval
Required Age	5-18	5-18
Standardized Testing	Not required	Not required
Subjects	Equivalent to public school education	Equivalent to public school education
Time Requirements	BESE enrollment satisfies compulsory attendance requirement	180 instruction days
Graduation Requirements	Equivalent to public high school requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	Immunizations are required unless you file an exemption.	Immunizations are required unless you file an exemption.
Financial Resources Available	Yes, through TOPS	Yes, through the School Expense Deduction

First, we’ll go over both options available for homeschooling in Louisiana. It’s important to consider the needs of both you and your child when choosing a way to homeschool. Also, please be aware that requirements can vary depending on which option you choose. There are two main ways to homeschool in Louisiana:

1. BESE-Approved home study program
2. Nonpublic school not seeking state approval

BESE-Approved Home Study Program

For the home study program, parents seek authorization from the local school district to teach at home. The local school district will designate subjects, bookkeeping, and annual assessments on an individual basis. 

While there are more regulations with this option, it does come with added benefits. Families under the home study program can accept any state or federal education funds, such as the high school Taylor Opportunity Program Scholarship (TOPS). Your students also have the option of borrowing textbooks from the local school district and can participate in public school sports. All diplomas granted under BESE- approved home study programs are recognized by all employers and colleges in the State of Louisiana.

Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval

Parents who homeschool as a nonpublic school are not seeking state approval and enjoy fewer restrictions than home study program families. High school students who are homeschooled through a nonpublic school for all 4 years will not qualify for the TOPS scholarship. 

Homeschool families who choose the nonpublic school option cannot accept government funding, as doing so would exempt you from being a nonpublic school. Instead of a state-awarded diploma, nonpublic school students can receive a diploma from their parents or take the GED exam instead. Nonpublic school families have less regulation, but may also have fewer benefits than home study families.

Parent Qualifications

The State of Louisiana doesn’t require any qualifications for homeschool instructors at this time.

Notice of Intent

If you choose to homeschool as a home study program, you’ll need to send an application to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education within 15 days of beginning your homeschool. You should include curriculum details that show the home study education is equivalent or better than public school education, along with a copy of your child’s birth certificate. 

For each year after, you’ll need to submit your renewal application. This is due by October 1st or 12 months after your initial enrollment, whichever is later.

If you homeschool as a nonpublic school, You can enroll your child online. You will need to send a notification of enrollment to your child’s current public school (if applicable).

The notice should include your child’s name, gender, birthdate, and race. This needs to be done no later than 10 days before your child begins homeschool. You are not required to withdraw your child in writing, although it’s helpful for preventing truancy issues. 

Attendance

In Louisiana, students between the ages of 5 and 18 are subject to the compulsory school attendance requirements. Nonpublic school parents need to plan to teach for 180 days per school year. Children who are enrolled in BESE-approved programs can use their enrollment letter to satisfy attendance requirements.

It’s a good idea to take daily attendance at your homeschool. If you choose the nonpublic school option, you’ll need to submit attendance records to the state at the end of the year. You can do this online here.

Homeschool Curriculum

The Louisiana Department of Education doesn’t list required subjects explicitly. However, it does require that home education quality be at least equal to that offered by public schools. Parents should plan to teach the material for their child’s grade level that is provided in public schools. Some core subject areas can include: 

• English language arts (reading and writing)
• Math
• Science
• Social studies
• Foreign languages
• Physical education
• Health

For a complete list of the Louisiana academic standards by grade level, you can visit the Louisiana Academic Standards Library. 

Accredited Homeschool Programs

Choosing the best homeschool curriculum can be hard with so many options! If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. The good news is, our family of online homeschool curricula are all fully accredited by the ACS-WASC! When you homeschool with Miacademy or MiaPrep, you can be confident that your child is getting a quality education.

Testing

Homeschool students in Louisiana are not subject to state standardized testing. However, we strongly recommended that high school students take college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, as many schools still require them. 

If you are using the approved home study option and plan to homeschool next year, having standardized test scores are great to have for your renewal application, but are not required.

Record Keeping

Nonpublic school families are only required to keep attendance records, which are due to LDOE by October 15 each year. 

For home study families, it’s very important to record your student’s progress. When you renew your application for the next school year, LDOE will require you to provide evidence that your home study program’s curriculum is at least equal to that of Louisiana public schools. 

Satisfactory evidence can take the form of standardized test scores, a curriculum packet (includes documents such as a scope and sequence, list of materials used, student work samples, etc), or a statement from a Louisiana teacher.

A homeschool portfolio is a great way to keep important information safe and organized! Items to keep in a homeschool portfolio can include: 

• Attendance
• Test scores
• Courses taken
• Final grades earned

We suggest keeping at least 2 years’ worth of records in your homeschool portfolio. It’s also a good way for you to keep track of your student’s progress through the years.

Transcripts

High school transcripts are often necessary for college applications. It’s important to keep a list of all the courses, credit hours, final grades, and test scores from grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.

Graduation Requirements

With Louisiana nonpublic schools, parents get to determine when their child can graduate. It can be difficult to know when your child is ready for graduation. Some parents look to the High School Planning Guidebook for a better understanding of what their child should know.

For BESE-approved program graduates, the requirements must be at least equivalent to public school graduation requirements. While BESE does not award diplomas, any diploma received under a BESE-approved program is recognized by all Louisiana government institutions, colleges, and universities.

Homeschool students are not eligible for a state diploma, so it’s up to parents to provide a diploma. Some homeschool students often take the HiSET exam, which is recognized in all 50 states as a high school diploma equivalent. Students ages 16 and older are eligible to take the test. 

Financial Resources

Home study students in 11th and 12th grade may be eligible for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). TOPS is a program that awards scholarships to students who attend Louisiana public colleges with a certain minimum ACT score. For more information and to see if you qualify, check out the TOPS informational packet and Home Study FAQ.

If you’re homeschooling as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, you will not be eligible for TOPS.

All homeschool families can take advantage of the School Expense Deduction, however. This is a tax deduction for qualifying educational expenses, up to $5,000 per dependent. You must keep all records and receipts of expenses and be a full-time resident of Louisiana to participate. For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Revenue website. You may also be able to take advantage of the Louisiana Tuition Donation Tax Credit or the Elementary and Secondary School Tuition Deduction.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Louisiana, check out: 

• Home Study, from the Louisiana BESE
• Nonpublic Schools, from the Louisiana BESE
• The Homeschool Mom for homeschool groups in Louisiana

Our friendly customer service team is always available to answer any questions you may have! If you have any questions about homeschooling or how Miacademy and MiaPrep align with the laws in your state, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! 

The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Louisiana homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates. 

FAQ

How do I homeschool my child in Louisiana?

To homeschool in Louisiana, you’ll need to start by choosing either the home study or nonpublic school option. Then, you’ll need to submit proper notice, teach the required subjects, and submit attendance depending on the option you chose. The requirements for each method are slightly different, so it’s best to do your research before choosing. 

Is homeschooling free in Louisiana?

Louisiana does not help parents buffer the cost of home education. Parents are responsible for providing all curricula and instructional materials as necessary. However, some parents may qualify for the School Expense Deduction on their taxes, which allows parents to write off up to $5,000 in educational expenses per student.

How do I report homeschooling in Louisiana? 

To report your homeschool enrollment for a home study program, you’ll need to send an application to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). If you choose to homeschool as a nonpublic school, you’ll need to enroll as a nonpublic school and submit a notification of enrollment when you withdraw from your local school district.