RubyLou is an educational tool. We explain state requirements in plain language and help you keep your own records. We never file, submit or report anything on your behalf, and nothing here is legal advice.
State requirements
Homeschooling in Louisiana.
Louisiana recognizes two home-education routes — an approved home study on one clock, a nonpublic-school notice on another.
Informational, not legal advice — verify with your state. We help you organize and document; you decide what to file.
What Louisiana asks
BESE-approved home study (R.S. 17:236.1)
Statute citation
La. R.S. 17:236.1.
Who you notify (if applicable)
The state board (BESE). In practice you apply online to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), which reviews the application and approves it for BESE.
How and when
Apply within 15 days after you start home study. Renew each year by October 1, or within 12 months of your first approval if that's later.
Assessment options
The initial year rests on the parent's certification that the program offers a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools at the same grade level. Each renewal needs one of four kinds of evidence: a packet of your materials (subject outlines, book lists, work samples); a passing result on Louisiana's state test, the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP); a result at or above grade level, or a year of growth for each year of home study, on the California Achievement Test (CAT) or another test BESE approves; or a statement from a teacher certified at your child's grade level.
Days
The LDOE's guidelines count 180 days of home study a year toward school attendance. The law doesn't set hours per day.
Nonpublic school, no state approval sought (R.S. 17:236, 17:221(E))
What this route is
A separate route: operating as a nonpublic school without seeking BESE approval — you report attendance to the state, with no curriculum approval required.
Statute citation
La. R.S. 17:236; 17:221(E); 17:232(C).
Who you notify (if applicable)
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE).
How and when
Each year, report your enrollment, counted as of the 30th day of your school year, on the LDOE's online attendance form (R.S. 17:232(C)).
Instruction hours
Plan for at least 180 school days (R.S. 17:236(A)).
Assessment
None. The LDOE doesn't approve or oversee this option, so keep your own records.
From the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 17:236.1, 17:236, 17:221) — some of the source URLs weren't independently logged as of this review, though the substance is corroborated by related captures.
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