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You don’t need thousands of dollars annually to homeschool well in Louisiana. Strategic choices and resource leverage can reduce costs to $500–$1,000 per child per year while maintaining educational quality.
Key Takeaways:
- Free full curricula (Easy Peasy) eliminate upfront curriculum costs
- Louisiana libraries offer extensive free digital resources beyond books
- Used curriculum secondhand costs 50-70% less than new
- Homeschool co-ops and group buys reduce individual expenses
- Tax deduction and potential ESA funding offset much remaining cost
Start with Free Curricula
Easy Peasy All-in-One ($0)
Easy Peasy is a complete, free K-12 curriculum with daily lessons, assessments, and progress tracking. It covers all required Louisiana subjects. Many budget-conscious Louisiana families build their entire homeschool around Easy Peasy.
Cost: $0 Effort: Moderate parental facilitation (you guide and discuss; Easy Peasy provides content) Quality: Solid; used by thousands of homeschoolers nationally
Easy Peasy isn’t fancy, but it’s legitimate and complete. For families operating on minimal budget, it’s a serious option.
Khan Academy ($0)
Khan Academy is free K-12 math and science with video instruction and practice. Use it as your math program entirely, or supplement another curriculum.
Cost: $0 (paid Khan Academy Premium is optional and offers extra features, but free version is comprehensive) Effort: Self-paced; works for independent learners Quality: Excellent; used by millions globally
Library Digital Resources ($0)
Louisiana’s public library system provides free digital access:
- OverDrive/Libby: Free e-books and audiobooks
- Hoopla: Free movies, documentaries, music, e-books
- Gale Databases: Academic databases (great for research)
- Learning Express: Free tutoring and videos
- Interlibrary loan: Access books beyond your local branch
This access is free with your library card. Many families spend hundreds on reading materials; Louisiana libraries make this unnecessary.
Strategy: Borrow extensively. Fill your homeschool library from public collections rather than buying.
Buy Curriculum Used
Abeka and BJU Secondhand
These programs are designed for K-12 longevity. Used sets are durable and widely available on the secondhand market.
Cost reduction: Used Abeka/BJU textbook sets: $50-$150 per subject vs. $200-$400 new. That’s 60-75% savings.
Where to buy:
- Facebook homeschool groups (“Louisiana Homeschool Curriculum Exchange,” “Homeschool Buy/Sell/Trade”)
- ThriftBooks and Better World Books (for individual titles)
- Homeschool conventions (regional and state-level sales)
- Craigslist and OfferUp (local pickup)
Advantage: You’re buying structured, complete programs at fraction of new cost. A family with three children can use the same Abeka curriculum set across all three kids.
Sonlight Used
Sonlight is also durable and reusable. Used boxes often include the core materials (read-aloud book list, guides) without the consumption workbooks.
Cost: $150-$300 used vs. $400-$600 new
Warning: Make sure included books are in good condition. Sonlight relies on literature quality; worn-out books matter.
Mix Free and Paid Strategically
Model: Free core + paid supplement
- Core curriculum: Easy Peasy ($0)
- Math enhancement: Khan Academy ($0) for practice and reteaching
- Literature and enrichment: Library books ($0)
- Writing program supplement: Purchased used Writing With Ease or similar ($30-$50)
Total: $40-$60 annually vs. $500-$700 for traditional comprehensive curriculum
This works well for independent learners and families comfortable self-directing.
Model: Paid core + free supplement
- Core curriculum: Used Abeka program ($100-$150 for all subjects)
- Math practice: Khan Academy ($0)
- Literature: Library books ($0)
- Enrichment: YouTube educational channels, Crash Course Kids ($0)
Total: $100-$200 annually for complete structured program
This provides structure and progression while staying lean.
Reduce Supplies and Materials Costs
DIY supplies:
- Use printer paper, cardboard, and recyclables for art and projects
- Gather rocks, leaves, sticks for science observation (no kits needed)
- Make flashcards from index cards instead of buying
- Print free math manipulatives (NCTM has free printable PDF games and materials)
Cost: $20-$50/year for basics (pencils, paper, basic art supplies)
vs. $100-$200 if buying pre-packaged kits and materials.
Library borrowing:
- Borrow science kits and hands-on materials from library (many Louisiana libraries lend these)
- Borrow art supply sets (some libraries maintain lending collections)
Check your local library for “learning kits” or “maker spaces” resources.
Leverage Co-ops and Group Buys
Co-op advantages:
- Shared textbook purchasing (groups negotiate discounts)
- Shared resources (science lab equipment, art supplies)
- Shared instruction (one teacher covering multiple families reduces cost per family)
Cost: Co-op fees of $100-$200/year often save $300-$400 through bulk purchasing and shared resources.
Louisiana co-ops actively discount:
- Classical Conversations chapters negotiate curriculum bulk rates
- Homeschool Louisiana groups coordinate spring curriculum sales
- Local co-ops partner with curriculum providers for group discounts
Even if you don’t fully participate in co-op, ask if you can join group buys.
Minimize Testing Costs
Home Study families need annual progress evidence. Minimize cost:
Option 1: Use curriculum-built assessments ($0)
- Abeka, BJU, Time4Learning all include testing. Use that.
Option 2: Materials portfolio ($0)
- Keep work samples throughout the year
- Submit folder showing progression
- Most Home Study evaluators accept this
Option 3: Free standardized testing
- Some homeschool conventions offer free testing sessions once yearly
- Check local support groups for testing opportunities
Cost avoidance: $30-$75/year if you skip commercial testing services
Stretch Extracurriculars Without Cost
Free enrichment:
- 4-H programs (free or very low-cost)
- Community center classes (often $20-$50 per session vs. $100+)
- Library programming (free author talks, STEM workshops, art classes)
- YouTube (free instructional content in nearly every subject)
- Outschool (free trial classes; paid classes $10-$50 per session)
- Community sports leagues ($50-$100/season vs. $200-$400 elite programs)
Your choice: You can do homeschool entirely without sports and music lessons, or add selective enrichment at low cost through community offerings.
Field Trips and Educational Experiences ($50-$100/year)
Free and low-cost Louisiana destinations:
- State parks: free or $2-$5 entry
- Louisiana nature centers: free or minimal entry
- University campuses: free tours
- Local libraries: free programming
- Community festivals: often free
Modest entry fees:
- Aquarium of the Americas: $25-$30
- USS Kidd: $10
- NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art): free for Louisiana residents
- Audubon Zoo: parking + entry
Budget strategy: Hit one or two paid destinations per year; fill rest with free options.
Financial Assistance Overlap
Tax deduction + ESA:
- If you qualify for LA GATOR ESA ($5,243+), that covers much curriculum cost
- Tax deduction ($6,000 max) applies to all eligible expenses
- Combined, these programs heavily subsidize lean budgets
Example: Family with $1,000/year homeschool spending + $5,243 ESA = effectively free or surplus.
Realistic Lean Budget for One Child
| Item | Cost | |——|——| | Easy Peasy (free) + Khan Academy (free) | $0 | | Supplies (DIY approach) | $35 | | Library card (free) | $0 | | Field trips (mostly free) | $30 | | One paid enrichment (community class) | $50 | | Annual Total | $115 | | After 50% tax deduction | Saves ~$14 in taxes | | Effective cost | ~$101 |
This is genuinely viable and educationally sound for independent learners in families comfortable with self-directed learning.
Realistic Moderate Budget
| Item | Cost | |——|——| | Used curriculum (Abeka) | $125 | | Supplies and materials | $75 | | Co-op participation (group buy discount) | $100 | | Field trips and enrichment | $100 | | Music lesson (community center) | $50 | | Annual Total | $450 | | After 50% tax deduction | $225 deduction = ~$54 tax savings | | Effective cost | ~$396 |
This provides structure, community, and enrichment while staying well under $500.
Budget Mindset Shift
You’re not depriving your child by choosing budget homeschooling. You’re:
- Using abundant free resources (libraries, internet, natural environment)
- Prioritizing content over packaging
- Avoiding unnecessary expense
Many of homeschooling’s most effective elements are free: family time, parent-child relationships, self-directed learning, and community connection.
Next Steps
for complete free curriculum options.
for full budget breakdown and cost strategy.
to maximize tax savings on whatever you do spend.
to connect with local families doing budget homeschooling—they’ll have group buys and resource-sharing in your area.
Budget homeschooling isn’t a compromise in Louisiana. It’s a legitimate approach with excellent resources to support it.