Homeschooling in Louisiana? Here’s your plan.

Homeschooling in Louisiana is governed by La. R.S. 17:236 and La. R.S. 17:236.1. The most common pathway is the BESE-Approved Home Study Program: you submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Education within 15 days of starting, describe your proposed program, and certify that you will cover required subjects for 180 instructional days. No standardized testing is required, and no one reviews your curriculum. You renew annually by October 1, providing brief documentation of the prior year's quality.

Louisiana also launched the LA GATOR Scholarship program (Act 1, 2024 Legislative Session), an ESA that provides significant funding — up to $5,243 per general student, $7,626 for families at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, and $15,253 for students with disabilities. However, participating in LA GATOR requires exiting the home study pathway entirely, and recipients must take annual ELA and math assessments. Phase 1 (2025-2026) targets prior public school students and lower-income families; the program expands to universal eligibility by 2027-2028.

Louisiana homeschool students can also qualify for the TOPS scholarship (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students), one of the state's most valuable college scholarships, by meeting ACT score thresholds and completing their program through a BESE-approved home study.

Louisiana has three pathways. The BESE-Approved Home Study Program (La. R.S. 17:236) is the most common and the best fit for most families — simple application, no testing, full curriculum freedom. The Registered Nonpublic School pathway (La. R.S. 17:233) lets you operate under a school structure with fewer curriculum mandates and no state testing. The State-Approved Nonpublic School pathway involves the highest oversight, including standardized testing and annual progress reports to BESE. Most individual families choose the home study pathway unless they specifically want a school structure.

Sports and extracurriculars. Under La. R.S. 17:236.2, homeschooled students can participate in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities at their resident public school, subject to LHSAA rules. Your child must meet the same academic, age, and residency requirements as enrolled students.

TOPS scholarship eligibility. Homeschool students who complete 11th and 12th grade in a BESE-approved home study program are eligible for TOPS. ACT score thresholds: 19 (TOPS Tech), 22 (Opportunity), 24 (Performance), 28 (Honors). Submit the FAFSA and TOPS online application by the state deadline.

Dual enrollment. Homeschooled students may take courses at Louisiana post-secondary institutions. Policies and costs vary by institution — contact the college directly.

LA GATOR tradeoffs. The ESA funding is substantial, but participating means leaving the home study pathway and submitting to annual testing. Families with children who have disabilities should weigh this carefully — the GATOR program requires waiving IDEA rights.

IEP and special needs. Home study students are generally not eligible for district special education services. Child Find evaluations are still available. The LA GATOR ESA can fund private therapies, but participation means waiving your child's IDEA rights.

Withdrawal process. Submit your home study application to the LDOE within 15 days and provide written notice of withdrawal to your child's current school. Both steps should happen concurrently.