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Starting homeschool feels overwhelming. You’re making a major decision, navigating unfamiliar legal requirements, choosing curriculum, and reorganizing your entire routine. This guide breaks it into manageable steps so you can move forward with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- Start 2-3 months before your planned school start date
- File your Notice of Intent with BESE within 15 days of beginning instruction
- Choose your curriculum before day one
- Set up simple attendance and record-keeping systems immediately
- Join a co-op or community for support and accountability
- Your first year will have a learning curve—plan for it
Phase 1: Decision & Planning (Month 1-2)
Step 1: Understand Your Legal Options
Louisiana offers two paths. Most families choose Option 1:
Option 1: BESE-Approved Home Study Program
- File initial application within 15 days of starting
- Annual renewal by October 1
- 180 instructional days/year required
- Evidence of progress required (flexible: testing, portfolio, or teacher statement)
- TOPS scholarship eligible for high school graduates
- Public school athletics participation allowed
- Diploma carries same weight as state-issued diploma
Option 2: Nonpublic School Registration
- Maximum autonomy; no testing or documentation required
- Trade-off: Not TOPS eligible; not eligible for public school athletics
- Rarely chosen
Decision: Choose Option 1. The benefits far outweigh Option 2.
See for detailed comparison.
Step 2: Choose Your School Start Date
Pick a start date 2-3 months away. Options:
- Summer transition (July-August): Most common; gives kids summer break before new structure
- Mid-year switch (January): Works if you’re leaving public school mid-year
- Fall (September): Standard school year timing
- Spring (April): Possible but less common
Key deadline: File your Notice of Intent within 15 days of your start date.
Step 3: Notify Your Current School (If Applicable)
If your child is in public school, provide formal written notice of withdrawal. This should happen 1-2 weeks before your planned start date.
See for template and detailed guidance.
Request all student records:
- Official transcript
- Test scores
- Report cards
- IEP (if applicable)
Save these in your homeschool file.
Step 4: Choose Your Educational Philosophy & Approach
How you want to teach shapes everything else. Main approaches:
Traditional/Textbook-Based: Classic curriculum (Abeka, BJU Press), structured schedule, parent as primary teacher
- Best for: Organized parents, structured learners, college prep
- Time commitment: 4-5 hours/day
Classical Education: Emphasis on literature, Socratic discussion, classical languages, logic
- Best for: Intellectually curious families, discussion-oriented
- Popular in LA: Classical Conversations (multiple locations)
- Time commitment: 4-5 hours/day
Charlotte Mason: Literature-based, short lessons, nature study, multi-subject connections
- Best for: Families valuing child-led exploration
- Time commitment: 3-4 hours/day
Online/School-at-Home: Video instruction (Time4Learning, Abeka Academy), largely self-directed
- Best for: Working parents, kids who learn independently
- Time commitment: 3-4 hours/day
Unschooling/Self-Directed: Child-led learning around interests, minimal formal curriculum
- Best for: Flexible parents, creative kids
- Time commitment: Varies
- Trickier for high school; harder to document for TOPS
Hybrid/Co-op Based: Mix of home learning and co-op classes
- Best for: Social, collaborative families; variety of instruction
- Popular in LA: SASH, Berean Co-op, RCH, others
Pick one that matches your family’s values and your comfort level. You can adjust later.
Step 5: Set a Realistic Budget
Estimated annual costs per child:
Minimal budget: $650-1,000 (used materials, free online resources, library)
Mid-range budget: $1,500-2,500 (quality curriculum, some co-op participation)
Full-featured budget: $3,000-5,475+ (multiple subjects, online programs, co-op, tutors)
Available aid:
- Louisiana tax deduction: 50% of qualifying expenses, up to $6,000/child
- GATOR ESA: $5,243-15,253/student (if income/disability eligible)
- 529 plans: $2,400/year state deduction; $20,000 annual withdrawal (2026)
See for specific curriculum costs.
Phase 2: Curriculum Selection (Month 2-3)
Step 6: Select Your Subjects and Curriculum
Elementary (K-8 core requirements):
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Plus optional: Art, music, PE, foreign language
High School (required subjects):
- ELA (grades 9-12)
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Health/PE
- Fine Arts Survey
- Foreign Language
Popular Louisiana curricula:
- Abeka (traditional, Christian, widely used in LA)
- BJU Press (traditional, Christian, strong academics)
- Sonlight (literature-based, discussion-heavy, Christian-friendly)
- Classical Conversations (classical model, strong in LA, multiple locations)
- Teaching Textbooks (math-specific, intuitive)
- Saxon Math (systematic, widely respected)
- Time4Learning (online, flexible, affordable)
- Easy Peasy (free, online, competency-based)
Tip: Buy or access a sample first. Curriculum fit matters more than prestige.
Step 7: Set Up Your Learning Space
You don’t need a classroom. You need:
- Quiet workspace for focused instruction
- Table/desk for assignments and reading
- Storage for materials, supplies, and records
- Shelving for books
- Tech (if using online curriculum): computer/tablet
Many families use their kitchen table. Formal classroom setup is optional.
Step 8: Order Materials Early
Once you’ve selected curriculum:
- Order textbooks, workbooks, and teacher guides
- Purchase supplies (notebooks, pencils, art supplies)
- Download digital programs and create accounts
- Arrange co-op enrollment (if pursuing hybrid model)
Most curriculum takes 1-2 weeks to arrive. Order by August 1 if starting in September.
Phase 3: Legal Setup (2-4 Weeks Before Start Date)
Step 9: Prepare Your Notice of Intent
You have 15 days from your start date to file. Prepare it in advance:
Includes:
- Student name, DOB, age, grade
- Parent/guardian information
- Program start date
- List of curriculum materials
- List of subjects
- Brief educational philosophy statement
See for template and filing instructions.
Step 10: Set Up Record-Keeping Systems
Before day one, establish:
Attendance tracking:
- Calendar (mark each instructional day)
- OR simple spreadsheet with date column
- Goal: 180 days by May
Progress documentation:
- Decide on assessment method (testing, portfolio, teacher statement)
- Create portfolio folder (physical or digital) if using portfolio method
- Save standardized test registration info if testing
Student file:
- Folder (physical or cloud) for important documents
- Public school transcripts and records
- Current year work samples
- Progress evidence
Set these up before you start. Takes 30 minutes; saves hours later.
Step 11: Choose Your Assessment Method (Annual Progress)
You have three options. Choose now:
Option A: Standardized Testing
- Register for BESE-approved test (LEAP, CAT, others)
- Schedule for spring
- Cost: $50-150 per child
- Submit scores with annual renewal
Option B: Portfolio (Most Popular)
- Collect work samples, book lists, subject outlines throughout year
- Gather third-party observations (co-op teacher, tutor, mentor)
- Compile into packet by September 30
- Submit with renewal
Option C: Teacher Statement
- Find certified teacher willing to review program
- Usually costs $75-200
- Teacher writes verification letter
- Submit with renewal
Most Louisiana families use Option B (portfolio). It’s flexible, captures real learning, and aligns naturally with homeschool instruction.
Phase 4: Launch (First Week)
Step 12: File Your Notice of Intent
Submit within 15 days of starting. File:
- Online (preferred): www.louisianabelieves.com
- By mail: Louisiana Department of Education, BESE Office
Keep your confirmation.
Step 13: Begin Instruction
Start with your chosen curriculum. First days don’t need to be perfect. You’re establishing:
- Schedule (what time of day, how long)
- Routine (where, how materials are organized)
- Expectations (how you’ll handle work, when assignments are due)
Expect to adjust your schedule, pace, and expectations in week 2-3. That’s normal.
Step 14: Establish Your Routine
Sample daily schedule (elementary):
- 8:30-9:00: Morning meeting (calendar, read-aloud)
- 9:00-10:00: Math (instruction + practice)
- 10:00-10:30: Break
- 10:30-11:30: ELA (reading, writing, grammar)
- 11:30-12:30: Science or Social Studies
- 12:30-1:30: Lunch & outdoor time
- 1:30-2:30: Electives (art, music, PE, language)
Adjust to fit your rhythm. Some families do all academics in morning; some spread throughout day.
Step 15: Connect with Your Community
Join a local homeschool co-op or group:
- Homeschool Louisiana: Statewide Christian organization
- LAHEN: Diverse approaches, advocacy-focused
- Regional: SASH (Shreveport), RCH (Ruston), Berean (Baton Rouge), others
Benefits: Accountability, social connection, resource sharing, field trips, classes
Many families thrive in first year with community support.
Phase 5: First-Year Adjustments (Months 1-3)
Step 16: Track What’s Working and What Isn’t
By month 2-3:
- Is your schedule realistic?
- Is curriculum pace appropriate?
- Is your child engaged or struggling?
- Are you managing records effectively?
Make small adjustments. Most families shift something in the first 8 weeks.
Step 17: Address Learning Challenges Quickly
If your child is struggling:
- Slow the pace
- Switch curriculum if needed
- Hire a tutor
- Adjust how you’re teaching the concept
Don’t wait until October. The earlier you adjust, the better.
Phase 6: Annual Renewal (September-October)
Step 18: Prepare Annual Renewal Package
By October 1:
- Submit application renewal
- Submit evidence of progress (test scores, portfolio, or teacher statement)
- Confirm 180 instructional days completed
This becomes routine after year one.
First Year Timeline Checklist
June-July (Month 1-2):
- Decide Option 1 or 2 (choose 1)
- Select start date
- Notify current school (if applicable)
- Choose educational philosophy
- Set realistic budget
July-August (Month 2-3):
- Select curriculum
- Order materials
- Set up learning space
- Prepare Notice of Intent
Late August (2-4 weeks before):
- Finalize Notice of Intent
- Set up record-keeping
- Choose assessment method
- Join co-op/community (optional but recommended)
Start date (e.g., Sept 1):
- File Notice of Intent (within 15 days)
- Begin instruction
- Establish routine
- Connect with community
October 1:
- First annual renewal (if you haven’t filed initial notice yet, do so now)
May-June:
- Complete 180 instructional days
- Prepare progress documentation
- Reflect on first year
July-August (Year 2):
- Plan year 2, adjusting what didn’t work
- Repeat
Common First-Year Mistakes to Avoid
- Overthinking curriculum: Good enough beats perfect. Pick something reasonable and start.
- Too ambitious schedule: First year should be simpler, not harder. You’ll get faster.
- Isolation: Join a co-op or community. Connection matters.
- Ignoring your child’s signals: If something’s not working, adjust quickly.
- Perfectionism: Your homeschool won’t look like Pinterest. It will look like your family. That’s right.
- Missing deadlines: Mark your calendar for Notice of Intent (within 15 days) and annual renewal (October 1).
Next Steps
- Choose your start date and notify your current school (if applicable)
- Select your educational approach and budget
- Choose curriculum for your required subjects
- Set up record-keeping systems
- File your Notice of Intent within 15 days of starting
- Join a local co-op or homeschool community
- Begin instruction
For detailed guidance on requirements, see . For curriculum selection, see . For planning your first-year timeline, see .
Your first year is the foundation. Get the legal requirements right (Notice of Intent, 180 days, evidence of progress), pick reasonable curriculum, establish a sustainable routine, and connect with your community. Everything else builds from there.