Louisiana Homeschool Requirements: What You Actually Need to Do

by | May 1, 2026 | Homeschooling in Louisiana, Laws & Requirements

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The Louisiana homeschool requirements are specific but straightforward. If you’re pursuing the BESE-Approved Home Study option (which most families do), here’s exactly what the state requires.

Key Takeaways:

  • 180 instructional days per year is the legal minimum
  • 900 hours per year for grades 1-8; 990 hours for grades 9-12
  • Four core subjects for elementary (K-8); seven subjects for high school
  • Annual application renewal by October 1
  • Annual evidence of satisfactory progress (three options available)
  • No curriculum pre-approval; you choose what to teach

The Core Requirements

Instructional Days and Hours

Louisiana requires 180 instructional days and a minimum number of instructional hours per year:

  • Grades 1-8: 900 instructional hours per year
  • Grades 9-12: 990 instructional hours per year

This breaks down to approximately:

  • 5 hours per day × 180 days = 900 hours (elementary)
  • 5.5 hours per day × 180 days = 990 hours (high school)

What counts as instructional time: Direct instruction, assignments, assessments, and supervised practice in your required subjects. Lunch, passing time, and breaks do not count.

Required Subjects by Grade Level

Kindergarten: No specific subjects required, but typically includes pre-reading, math foundations, and basic science/social studies.

Grades 1-8 (Four Required Subjects):

  1. English Language Arts (reading, writing, grammar, literature)
  2. Mathematics
  3. Science
  4. Social Studies

You can add other subjects (foreign languages, arts, physical education, computer science), but these four are mandatory.

Grades 9-12 (Seven Required Subjects):

  1. English Language Arts (9, 10, 11, 12)
  2. Mathematics
  3. Science
  4. Social Studies
  5. Health and Physical Education
  6. Fine Arts Survey
  7. Foreign Language

For high school, you must demonstrate progress in each required subject each year.

Curriculum Quality Standard

Your curriculum must be of quality “at least equal to public schools.” This is intentionally vague—Louisiana does not require you to use specific textbooks or curricula. You have complete freedom to choose. This means:

  • You can use traditional textbooks (Abeka, BJU Press, Saxon Math)
  • You can use online programs (Time4Learning, Abeka Academy, Teaching Textbooks)
  • You can use classical curriculum (Classical Conversations, Sonlight)
  • You can use secular or faith-based materials
  • You can create your own curriculum or mix approaches

What matters is that your selections result in learning that meets public school standards—which almost any reasonably organized homeschool curriculum will accomplish.

Annual Application and Renewal

Initial application: Must be submitted to BESE (Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) within 15 days of starting your homeschool program.

Annual renewal: Due by October 1 each year. Your renewal includes:

  • Application form
  • Evidence of satisfactory progress (see below)
  • Confirmation you’ve met the instructional days/hours requirement

Late applications may result in compliance issues, so mark these deadlines in your calendar.

Annual Evidence of Satisfactory Progress

This is where you demonstrate your child is learning. Louisiana gives you three flexible options—choose the one that works best for your family.

Option 1: Standardized Test Scores

Give your child a BESE-approved standardized test (such as LEAP, CAT, or other approved assessment). Scores must demonstrate the child is at or above grade level OR shows progress equal to one grade level per year.

Pros: Clear, objective documentation; easy to submit.

Cons: Adds testing burden; may not reflect all learning areas.

Option 2: Submitted Materials/Portfolio (Most Popular)

Compile a packet including:

  • Subject outlines for each course
  • Book lists showing what was read
  • Student work samples (essays, math problems, projects)
  • Third-party observation letters (from a co-op teacher, tutor, or other educator who has observed your child’s work)

Pros: Flexible; captures real learning; no standardized testing required; most Louisiana families use this option.

Cons: Requires more organization on your part.

Option 3: Certified Teacher Statement

Have a certified teacher review your curriculum and teaching approach, then submit a statement affirming the curriculum quality meets state standards.

Pros: Third-party credibility; simple to submit.

Cons: Requires finding a certified teacher willing to review your program.

Record Keeping

Maintain organized records including:

  • Daily attendance records (tracking 180 days)
  • Curriculum materials used
  • Student work samples
  • Progress assessments or evaluations
  • Any standardized test scores

You don’t submit these with every annual renewal, but BESE can request them during compliance review. Keeping them organized from the start makes renewal much easier.

What Louisiana Does NOT Require

  • Teacher certification: You do not need a teaching degree or credential
  • Curriculum pre-approval: BESE does not approve specific curricula before you use them
  • Standardized testing: You can choose the portfolio option instead (most families do)
  • Science labs or specific facilities: You can teach science from home using household materials
  • Specific teaching methods: Classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, online—all are acceptable as long as you meet the hour and subject requirements
  • Classroom setup: You don’t need a dedicated classroom
  • Accreditation: Your diploma doesn’t need accreditation; a Home Study diploma carries the same weight as a state-issued diploma

Grades K and Younger

Louisiana’s compulsory attendance law applies to ages 7-18. Kindergarten and younger are optional. However, if you choose to homeschool younger children, the same rules apply to kindergarten and below: you must notify BESE within 15 days and maintain records, though the subject and hour requirements are more flexible.

High School Specifics

High school students must demonstrate progress in all seven required subjects each year. You’ll develop a more formal transcript as you approach college applications—see for information on college admissions and for curriculum planning.

Next Steps

  1. Complete your initial BESE application (due within 15 days of starting)
  2. Choose your evidence-of-progress method (most recommend Option 2—portfolio)
  3. Set up a simple record-keeping system
  4. Begin instruction
  5. Mark your calendar for October 1 annual renewal

For the application process and template, see . For creating your first-year plan, see .

Louisiana’s requirements are straightforward once you understand them. The flexibility in curriculum choice, testing options, and teaching approach means you can customize your homeschool to fit your family’s values and your child’s learning style while meeting all state requirements.