Louisiana Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

Within 15 days after the home study program begins (initial application)

• Renewal applications are due by October 1 of the school year or within 12 months of the initial approval, whichever is later.

Annual renewal deadline

Within 15 days after the home study program begins (initial application)

Send to

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on behalf of BESE

La. R.S. 17:236.1(A)-(B) (application to BESE; initial application within 15 days after the program begins)

Varies by pathway. Home Study Program Approved by BESE: ["curriculum_packet","test_results","teacher_statement"]; Registered Nonpublic School (Non-State-Approved): undefined; State-Approved Nonpublic School: undefined

Annual renewal

Required by October 1 of the school year, or within 12 months of initial approval, whichever is later

La. R.S. 17:236.1(A), (C)-(D) (annual renewal application and evidence)

These deadlines are for Home Study Program Approved by BESE. Louisiana offers 3 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

• •
  Home Study Program Approved by BESE(this page): You apply to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), on behalf of BESE, within 15 days after your home study program begins, with a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. You certify that the program will offer a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. You renew every year by October 1, or within 12 months of your initial approval, whichever is later. Each renewal includes one of three things: a packet of materials showing the year's work, verification of a standardized test score, or a statement from a certified teacher.
• •
  Registered Nonpublic School (Non-State-Approved): You operate or enroll your child in a nonpublic school that is not seeking state approval, which LDOE says may be called a registered nonpublic school. The school submits enrollment information to LDOE each year through the online attendance submission form. For a child coming from a public school, the nonpublic school sends that school a written notice of enrollment within 10 days. LDOE does not approve, oversee or keep student records for these schools, and state testing is not required. Students in these schools are not eligible for TOPS or LA GATOR.
• •
  State-Approved Nonpublic School: You enroll your child in a nonpublic school that BESE has approved under Bulletin 741 (Nonpublic). The school files an annual school report with LDOE by October 15, meets an annual instructional-time requirement of 57,750 minutes, and follows state rules for teacher qualifications, subjects and records. Those are the school's duties; your duty is to send your child to the school (La. R.S. 17:221). State assessment participation is the school's choice (Bulletin 741 §2111).

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for Louisiana