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Choosing a Louisiana homeschool curriculum isn’t about finding the “best”—it’s about finding what works for your family’s learning style, your children’s needs, and your state’s specific requirements.
The good news: Louisiana is one of the most flexible states for homeschooling. You have significant control over curriculum selection, whether you choose the Home Study track (with curriculum review requirements) or the Nonpublic School option (with complete autonomy).
Key Takeaways:
- Louisiana requires curriculum “equal to quality” to public schools for Home Study families; Nonpublic families have no requirements
- Popular structured programs include Abeka, BJU Press, and Sonlight; online options include Time4Learning and Easy Peasy
- Louisiana has no official curriculum approval process—you select what works for your family
- Classical Conversations has multiple locations statewide, offering community-based learning
- Your two-option homeschool track determines testing and reporting obligations
Understanding Louisiana’s Two Curriculum Paths
Louisiana gives you a fundamental choice that directly impacts curriculum decisions: the Home Study track or the Nonpublic School track.
Home Study families must maintain a “sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools” in core subjects (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science for K-8; plus Health, PE, Fine Arts Survey, and Foreign Language for grades 9-12). However, Louisiana has no curriculum approval board—you choose the curriculum, and you demonstrate quality through annual progress evidence.
Nonpublic School families have zero curriculum requirements. You control everything: subject matter, approach, pacing, everything. This flexibility comes with tradeoffs: you’re not TOPS-eligible and can’t participate in public school sports, but you have complete educational autonomy.
Your curriculum choice should align with which track makes sense for your family. If you need TOPS funding or plan to compete in public school athletics, Home Study is your path, and your curriculum needs to show measurable quality. If autonomy matters most, Nonpublic School removes all curriculum constraints.
Top Structured Curricula for Louisiana Families
Abeka remains the most widely used structured program in Louisiana’s Christian homeschool community. It’s heavily workbook-based, systematically designed, with clear learning objectives and built-in testing. Parents like the structure and the fact that Abeka materials themselves satisfy Louisiana’s “quality equal to public schools” standard. Typical cost: $400–$800 per child annually, depending on grade and whether you add their testing or video components.
BJU Press (Bob Jones University) offers similar structure to Abeka with a different pedagogical approach. BJU emphasizes critical thinking alongside content mastery and includes built-in assessments. Many Louisiana families appreciate BJU’s depth in literature and language arts. Annual cost: $500–$1,000 per child.
Sonlight takes a literature-based approach, organizing learning around quality books and thematic units. It’s less structured than Abeka or BJU but appeals to families who prioritize reading and narrative-driven learning. Sonlight works well for students K-12 and scales across multiple children. Cost: $300–$700 annually, depending on level.
Classical Conversations operates multiple locations across Louisiana (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Lafayette). This community-based classical model combines home learning with weekly co-op classes. Families handle core academics at home using parent-chosen curricula; the co-op provides Latin, fine arts, history, and science through classical methods. This is powerful if you value community learning and classical education philosophy. Co-op fees typically run $150–$400 per term, plus curriculum costs.
Teaching Textbooks and Saxon Math are math-specific curricula many Louisiana families use as supplementals or primary math programs. Teaching Textbooks is self-grading and video-based; Saxon emphasizes spiral review. Both integrate well with larger curricula.
Online and Lower-Cost Programs
Time4Learning is a subscription-based online curriculum (typically $30–$40/month per student) covering K-12. It’s visual, interactive, and works for Home Study families as a documented curriculum. It’s less intensive than Abeka or BJU but offers flexibility and lower cost.
Easy Peasy All-in-One is a free online curriculum developed by homeschoolers. It includes subjects K-12, daily assignments, progress tracking, and a Christian worldview. For budget-conscious families or those testing the waters, Easy Peasy removes financial barriers—though it requires parental facilitation and works better for independent learners.
Alpha Omega (Switched-On Schoolhouse) and LIFEPAC are self-paced, systematic programs with built-in testing. Alpha Omega is computer-based; LIFEPAC uses workbooks. Both show clear progress and satisfy Louisiana’s quality standard.
My Father’s World combines structured subject materials with literature, community participation, and classical elements. It’s faith-based and works well for mixed-age families.
Abeka Academy and BJU Press Online offer livestream and recorded versions of their classroom instruction. These blur the line between traditional homeschooling and online school—you maintain homeschool identity while accessing structured, video-delivered content.
Key Considerations for Louisiana Families
Assessment and Progress Reporting: If you’re Home Study, remember that Louisiana requires annual progress evidence. Many families choose curricula with built-in tests (Abeka, BJU, Teaching Textbooks) because the test scores serve your compliance documentation. If you prefer an assessment-light curriculum, you’ll need to use a third-party testing service ($30–$75 annually) or submit a materials portfolio.
Flexibility Within Structure: Louisiana allows you to mix curricula. You might use Abeka for math, Sonlight for literature and social studies, and an online program for science. Many successful Louisiana families build a custom hybrid approach. As long as your total program is “equal to public schools” in quality, you have freedom to customize.
Faith-Based vs. Secular: Most mainstream Louisiana curricula (Abeka, BJU, My Father’s World, Sonlight) have Christian worldview components. If you prefer secular or lighter-faith approaches, Time4Learning, Easy Peasy (though it has some faith elements), Saxon Math, and Teaching Textbooks offer alternatives.
Community and Co-ops: Some curricula pair better with community learning. Classical Conversations requires community participation by design. Abeka and BJU work within co-op academic classes. Sonlight families often form reading groups. Factor in whether your curriculum choice supports the social and community connections your family values.
Louisiana-Specific Content: While not exclusive to Louisiana curricula, programs that incorporate Louisiana history, Cajun culture, and bayou ecology add local relevance. Most curricula treat U.S. history broadly, so supplementing with Louisiana-specific field trips and resources (like visits to Poverty Point, Avery Island, or the Atchafalaya Heritage Area) enriches learning.
Making Your Curriculum Decision
Start with these questions:
- Which track are you choosing? (Home Study with curriculum review, or Nonpublic with complete autonomy?) This determines your constraints.
- What’s your teaching style? Do you prefer structured daily guides (Abeka, BJU), thematic learning (Sonlight), or classical approaches (Classical Conversations)?
- What’s your budget? Range from free (Easy Peasy) to $1,500+ per child annually (comprehensive programs with video or co-op).
- Do you want community involvement? This shapes whether Classical Conversations, co-op-friendly curricula, or fully independent options fit.
- What’s your child’s learning style? Visual learners often thrive with Sonlight or Time4Learning. Sequential learners succeed with Abeka or BJU. Independent learners handle self-paced programs.
Most Louisiana families don’t choose a single curriculum in isolation. They choose a core program (like Abeka for structure or Sonlight for literature) and supplement with math-specific programs, online courses, and community offerings. Your curriculum is a tool in service of your homeschool vision, not the vision itself.
Next Steps
to see how curriculum options scale across K-12.
explores zero-cost and low-cost alternatives.
details exactly what Louisiana requires by grade level.
breaks down full-program online options versus curriculum-based learning.
Visit homeschoollouisiana.org to connect with local support groups who can share real curriculum reviews from families in your area.