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Louisiana Homeschool Documents & Templates

Every document you need to homeschool legally in Louisiana, based on La. R.S. 17:236.

These are general templates for Home Study Program Approved by BESE, the most common of Louisiana's 3 pathways. Our free wizard generates personalized documents with your name, address, and district filled in.

What documents do you need?

Notice of Intent

Required. Send to Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on behalf of BESE by Within 15 days after the home study program begins (initial application)

Annual Renewal

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

Notice of Intent

What to file
approval required
Send to
Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on behalf of BESE
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.
How often
annual

Your notice must include:

  • •child's name
  • •child's grade level
  • •child's date of birth
  • •parent/guardian name
  • •parent/guardian address
  • •contact info
  • •prior school information
  • •immunization statement
  • •assurance statement

Required attachments:

  • •birth certificate
Practical tip: Apply through the LDOE online BESE-Approved Home Study Program application. In limited or hardship circumstances, LDOE accepts the paper application found in its home study guidelines. On the initial application 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 (La. R.S. 17:236.1(B)).

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

First-time vs. renewal

First-time filing

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

Starting mid-year?

Submit the initial application no later than 15 days after beginning home study. Applying before withdrawal is suggested; agency approval need not precede withdrawal.

If withdrawing from school

Status
Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns
Send to
child's prior school (copy of the home study approval letter)
Practical tip: No withdrawal document is required for home study. Submit your application within 15 days after your home study program begins. LDOE suggests giving your child's prior school a copy of your approval letter once it arrives, and districts also receive approval letters from LDOE each month.

LDOE BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines; La. R.S. 17:236.1(A)

Annual Renewal

Deadline
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)

Other ways to homeschool in Louisiana

This page covers Home Study Program Approved by BESE. Louisiana offers 3 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

  • •
    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 helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Louisiana

Education savings available

Louisiana offers LA GATOR Scholarship Program. ESA programs may have additional documentation requirements. Learn about ESA programs

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Requirements sourced from La. R.S. 17:236. Last reviewed October 2026