Louisiana BESE-Approved Home Study Program
The Louisiana Department of Education’s main page for families choosing the BESE-approved home study pathway, including eligibility, annual application information, diplomas, testing, and frequently asked questions.

Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval
Official information for families operating a registered nonpublic school that does not seek state approval, including annual attendance reporting, testing, diploma, and TOPS limitations.

2026 BESE-Approved Home Study Guidelines and Instructions
The current state guide covering initial applications, annual renewals, instructional requirements, renewal evidence, testing options, textbooks, extracurricular participation, and diploma documentation.

2026 Registered Nonpublic School Guidelines
Current instructions for annual attendance reporting, former-school notification, compulsory attendance, testing, driver’s-license documentation, and other responsibilities of nonpublic schools not seeking state approval.

Louisiana School Choice Options
An overview of Louisiana education options, including home study, registered nonpublic schools, charter schools, scholarship programs, LA GATOR, and other school-choice programs.

Louisiana Student Standards
State academic standards that home study families may consult when planning grade-level instruction, although parents remain responsible for selecting their own curriculum.

HSLDA Louisiana Homeschool Law Overview
A supplemental plain-language overview of Louisiana homeschool options and legal requirements. Families should use current Louisiana Department of Education guidance as the primary filing source.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:221 — Compulsory School Attendance
The primary statute establishing Louisiana’s compulsory-attendance ages, kindergarten deferral, attendance responsibilities, and related exceptions.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:236 — Definition of a School
Defines qualifying schools for compulsory-attendance purposes, including approved home study programs, and addresses instructional days and nonpublic-school personnel.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:236.1 — Home Study Programs
The principal home study statute covering applications, annual renewals, birth-certificate documentation, curriculum quality, renewal evidence, and home study diplomas.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:221.3 — Notice to Former Public School
Explains the written notification required when a student leaves a Louisiana public school to enroll in a nonpublic school.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:236.2 — Public-School Readmission
Addresses screening, evaluation, and grade placement when a home study or nonpublic-school student enrolls or reenrolls in public school.

BESE-Approved Home Study Legal and Filing Guide
Provides current, parent-friendly instructions for meeting the statutory requirements of the approved home study pathway.

Registered Nonpublic School Legal and Reporting Guide
Explains the separate attendance, notification, testing, diploma, and documentation rules for schools not seeking state approval.

Louisiana School Expense Deduction
Official tax guidance for the deduction available for qualifying homeschool, private-school, and public-school expenses. This is an income-tax deduction, not a credit or direct reimbursement.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §47:297.11 — School Expense Deduction
The statute authorizing a deduction equal to 50% of qualifying educational expenses, subject to the current per-dependent limit and documentation requirements.

LA GATOR Scholarship Program
Louisiana’s education savings account program for approved educational expenses. Students cannot participate concurrently in LA GATOR and either independent Louisiana homeschool pathway.

LA GATOR Program Policy and Rules
Detailed eligibility, participation, curriculum, testing, account, and approved-expense requirements for families considering the LA GATOR program.

Louisiana Course Choice Program
Provides access to approved dual-enrollment, career and technical education, Advanced Placement, and other courses. Home study families should confirm current eligibility and tuition terms directly with the provider.

TOPS Information for Home Study Students
Official Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance guidance for qualifying BESE-approved home study students seeking TOPS after high school.

School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
Scholarship information for eligible students enrolling in participating nonpublic schools. This program does not directly reimburse independent homeschool expenses.

HSLDA Curriculum Grant
A private, need-based curriculum-grant opportunity for eligible homeschooling families. This is not funded or administered by the State of Louisiana.

Using Online Curriculum in a Louisiana Home Study Program
The official home study page explains that parents control curriculum selection and may incorporate online resources while remaining responsible for annual home study requirements.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §17:236.3 — Virtual Schools
Defines a Louisiana virtual school as a public school, including a charter school, that provides most or all instruction through electronic methods.

University View Academy
A statewide, tuition-free Louisiana public charter school providing online instruction for students in kindergarten through grade twelve.

Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy
A tuition-free, full-time Louisiana public virtual school serving students in kindergarten through grade twelve with public-school teachers and requirements.

Louisiana Charter School Resources
Official charter-school contacts, directories, guidance, and resources that families can use to identify current public virtual charter options.

Course Choice Online and Supplemental Courses
Information about approved supplemental courses, including virtual, Advanced Placement, career, technical, and dual-enrollment opportunities.

LA GATOR Online Education Options
Information about approved online education expenses available through LA GATOR. Participation requires leaving the independent home study or registered nonpublic pathway.

BESE-Approved Home Study Application Portal
The official EdLink portal for submitting a Louisiana home study initial application, checking application status, and completing annual renewals.

Home Study Application, Renewal, and Diploma Guide
Includes filing instructions, renewal evidence options, paper application materials, testing information, and a sample parent-issued home study diploma.

Registered Nonpublic School Attendance Portal
The separate EdLink portal used to submit annual attendance information for a nonpublic school not seeking state approval.

Registered Nonpublic School Forms and Instructions
Includes annual reporting instructions, former-public-school notification guidance, compulsory-attendance information, testing details, and driver’s-license documentation.

Louisiana Department of Education Contact Information
Access the Ask LDOE help portal, department telephone information, special-education assistance, and contacts for education programs and services.

Louisiana School System and School Directory
Download current school-system and school contact information for local testing requests, records, extracurricular inquiries, special education, or public-school reenrollment.

LOSFA Home Study Student Documentation
Official instructions for BESE-approved home study students preparing transcripts and documentation for TOPS consideration.

Louisiana Students with Disabilities Resources
State information and contacts for special education, evaluations, family support, dispute assistance, and services available through Louisiana school systems.

Homeschool Louisiana
A statewide Christian homeschool ministry providing advocacy, family support, educational resources, events, and connections with homeschool communities across Louisiana.

Homeschool Louisiana Getting Started Guide
A practical introduction to beginning homeschooling in Louisiana. Families should use the current Louisiana Department of Education portals for official filings and deadlines.

Louisiana Homeschool Groups and Parish Connections
Connects families with Homeschool Louisiana affiliates, parish contacts, membership support, and local homeschool communities.

Louisiana Homeschool Conference
Information about Homeschool Louisiana’s statewide conference, speakers, curriculum resources, family programming, registration, and future event dates.

Homeschool Louisiana Transcript Guidance
Practical guidance for creating a high school transcript, organizing credits and grades, and preparing documentation for college or employment.

HSLDA Louisiana Legal Resources
Supplemental legal information and advocacy resources from a national membership organization serving homeschool families.

Louisiana Homeschool Support Group Directory
An independent directory of local Christian, Catholic, secular, inclusive, activity-based, and regional homeschool groups. Verify each listing’s current activity and membership policies.