Homeschooling in Louisiana: Requirements, Costs, and How to Start
Louisiana requires notification for homeschool families.
Last reviewed by the HomeschoolOS Compliance Team
Always verify with Louisiana's Department of Education before filing or submitting compliance documents — laws change, and edge cases can apply.
Key Takeaways
- Compulsory school attendance in Louisiana applies to children ages 5 through 18.
- Louisiana requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with the state or local district.
- Louisiana does not require standardized testing for homeschool students.
- Louisiana requires at least 180 instructional days per year.
- Louisiana does not require a homeschool portfolio.
- Louisiana offers the LA GATOR Scholarship (~$5,200 per student per year (current cap)) for eligible homeschool families.
Louisiana offers two distinct homeschool pathways. The most common is BESE-approved home study, which requires annual application by October 1, evidence that your curriculum is "at least equal to" public-school quality, and 180 days of instruction. Renewal is annual and requires either a portfolio of student work, standardized test results, a state-administered test, or a teacher evaluation. The alternative pathway — operating as a nonpublic school — requires only an annual notification but applies private-school-statute expectations. There are no specific required subjects under either path, and there is no mandated testing format. Compulsory attendance covers ages 5–18. Louisiana families relocating in or out of state should note that home-study families receive a state ID number that's useful for college applications and dual-enrollment opportunities. The LA GATOR Scholarship is also rolling out with phased eligibility (~$5,200 per student per year) that some homeschool families will qualify for; check annual eligibility windows. Once your initial BESE application is approved, the renewal cadence becomes routine.
At a Glance
Compulsory Ages
5–18
Regulation Level
Moderate regulation
Notification
Required
Testing
Not required
Portfolio
Not required
Immunization
Required
Is homeschooling legal in Louisiana?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including Louisiana. Louisiana applies moderate oversight — an annual notice of intent is required — but the rules are clearly defined and most families settle into a predictable annual rhythm.
Louisiana Homeschool Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Instruction Days
180 days per year
Notification Required
Yes — must file with your district or state
Testing Required
No testing required
Portfolio Required
No portfolio required
Assessment Deadline
October 1
Details
Two options: BESE-approved home study (with annual renewal, portfolio required) or nonpublic school (notification only). Home study requires annual evidence of curriculum quality. 180 days required.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Louisiana?
Most Louisiana homeschool families spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own curriculum from low-cost or free resources (libraries, Khan Academy, open educational materials), use a packaged curriculum, or layer in tutoring, co-ops, and enrichment classes. Standardized testing fees, when required, typically run $30–$50 per test.
LA GATOR Scholarship
Louisiana's GATOR Scholarship funds approved educational expenses, with phased eligibility that homeschool families should check annually.
Approximate award: ~$5,200 per student per year (current cap). Verify current eligibility
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Louisiana?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Louisiana, and the rules are typically set by the state high school athletic association rather than the legislature. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions tied to part-time enrollment or residency.
Contact your local school district's athletic director directly to confirm what your child can participate in this year, and consult HSLDA's Louisiana page for the current statewide picture.
Homeschooling high school in Louisiana: transcripts, diplomas, and college
In Louisiana, homeschool families are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and maintaining their own transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates — many state universities have published homeschool admission policies, and selective private colleges increasingly recruit homeschoolers actively.
Most Louisiana homeschool teens strengthen their college applications by taking the SAT or ACT, completing dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, building a portfolio of meaningful projects, and securing strong recommendations from adult mentors outside the family. HomeschoolOS includes a transcript and GPA generator that pulls from the lessons, grades, and credit-hour data you log throughout the year.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Louisiana?
Generate your Louisianawithdrawal letter →
Free 90-second wizard. Letter, attendance log, and 30/60/90 checklist as PDFs. No account.
The standard procedure
- Submit a written withdrawal letter to your child's current school principal. Keep a copy and obtain confirmation of receipt.
- File your homeschool notice of intent with Louisiana's appropriate state or district office, following the state's required cadence and content. This establishes your homeschool legally and ends the public school's compulsory-attendance jurisdiction.
- Begin tracking attendance, lessons, and any required portfolio work from day one — in Louisiana, your records protect you against any later truancy or state-requirement question.
Louisiana homeschool community and resources
The most useful Louisiana homeschool resources for new families are typically a statewide convention or association, a local co-op for weekly community, and HSLDA for legal questions.
- Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Louisiana (CHEF of LA) — Statewide convention and advocacy organization for Louisiana. Visit site
- HSLDA — Louisiana — Legal-defense membership and current statutory analysis. Visit page
- Local co-ops and Facebook groups— Search “[your city] Louisianahomeschool” on Facebook to find weekly co-ops, park days, and field-trip groups that match your child's age and your educational philosophy.
How Homeschool OS tracks Louisiana's requirements
Attendance Tracker
Every school day is logged automatically as lessons are completed.
Filing Reminders
Get notified before notification deadlines so paperwork is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start homeschooling in Louisiana?
To start homeschooling in Louisiana, you must file a notice of intent with your local school district or state education agency. Compulsory education applies to children ages 5 through 18.
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with their local school district or state education agency.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana does not require standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not mandate specific subjects for homeschool instruction.
What ages are covered by compulsory education in Louisiana?
Children ages 5 through 18 are subject to compulsory education laws in Louisiana.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Louisiana?
Most homeschool families in Louisiana spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year on curriculum, supplies, testing fees, and enrichment. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own program from low-cost resources or use a packaged curriculum. Louisiana also offers the LA GATOR Scholarship — approximately ~$5,200 per student per year (current cap) for eligible families to put toward curriculum, tutoring, and approved educational expenses.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Louisiana?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Louisiana. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions. Contact your local district directly, and consult HSLDA's Louisiana page for the current statewide picture.
Can homeschool students earn a diploma and go to college in Louisiana?
Yes. Homeschool families in Louisiana are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates; many Louisiana families strengthen their applications with SAT or ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, and a portfolio of meaningful projects.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, withdrawing from public school typically involves submitting a written withdrawal letter to the school principal and filing your homeschool notice of intent with the appropriate state or district office. The notification protects you from truancy concerns and establishes your homeschool legally for the school year.
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This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements with your state's department of education before relying on this data.