Switching from Public School to Homeschool in Louisiana: Transition Guide

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Moving from public school to homeschool is a significant transition—administratively, academically, and emotionally. This guide walks you through the legal process, practical timeline, and how to help your child adjust.

Key Takeaways:

Withdraw formally in writing and request all records
File your Notice of Intent with BESE within 15 days of withdrawal
Expect a 2-4 week adjustment period for your child
Choose your curriculum before your first day of homeschool
Consider easing in with a hybrid approach if your child is anxious
You may need to address specific learning gaps from public school

Why Families Switch to Homeschool

Understanding your reason helps guide the transition. Common reasons:

Poor school fit (bullying, learning differences not addressed, class size)
Wanting more individualized pacing (advanced or struggling students)
Philosophical/faith reasons
Poor academic quality
Behavioral concerns
Special needs better served at home

Your reason shapes how you approach the first month. If your child struggled academically, you might use a slower-paced curriculum. If bullying was the issue, you might emphasize social outlets and community connection.

Legal Process: 5 Steps

Step 1: Decide Your Homeschool Option

Louisiana offers two options:

Option 1: BESE-Approved Home Study (Recommended): Most families choose this. Requires Notice of Intent, 180 days/year, evidence of progress. Offers TOPS scholarships and sports participation.
Option 2: Nonpublic School Registration: Maximum autonomy but no TOPS or sports.

Choose Option 1. See for full comparison.

Step 2: Plan Your Withdrawal Timeline

Decide when to withdraw:

End of current school year (May-June): Most common. Avoids mid-year disruption. Child gets summer break. You have July-August to prepare.
Winter break (December-January): Second most common. Aligns with school calendar breaks.
Mid-year (any month): Possible but more disruptive. Only do this if serious problems warrant it.

Important: Once you withdraw mid-year, you can’t re-enroll in that same school for the rest of the year. Plan accordingly.

Step 3: Submit Your Withdrawal Letter

Deliver a formal withdrawal letter to the principal or office manager. See for template.

Key details to include:

Student’s full name and current grade
Effective date of withdrawal
Statement: “My child will be pursuing homeschool education”
Request: “Please prepare all student records for transfer”
Your contact information

Delivery: In person (best), by email with read receipt, or certified mail.

Step 4: Request and Collect Student Records

Ask for everything:

Official transcript (grades, subjects, credits)
Standardized test scores (LEAP, others)
Report cards and progress reports
IEP documentation (if applicable)
504 Plan (if applicable)
Attendance records
Behavioral/disciplinary records (if relevant)

Why this matters:

You need transcripts for your homeschool records
Test scores show baseline performance
IEP documentation is critical if your child has special needs
This creates continuity of your child’s educational record

Save everything digitally and in hard copy.

Step 5: File Your Notice of Intent with BESE

Within 15 days of your withdrawal date, file your initial application with Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Submit:

Student information (name, DOB, grade)
Parent information
Curriculum list
Subjects to be taught
Program start date

See for complete filing guide.

Deadline: This is strict. Set a calendar reminder.

Practical Timeline: End-of-Year Switch

Most common scenario: Switch after current school year ends.

May (Decision Month)

Week 1: Confirm homeschool is the right choice for your family
Week 2: Choose your homeschool option (Option 1)
Week 3: Research curriculum options
Week 4: Decide on curriculum and order materials

June (Notification Month)

Week 1: Submit withdrawal letter to school
Week 2: Request student records; request transcripts
Week 3: Receive records; save/organize them
Week 4: Confirm all materials are received; store safely

July (Preparation Month)

Week 1: Curriculum arrives; review it
Week 2: Plan your schedule, learning space, record-keeping system
Week 3: Join co-op or community (if pursuing that)
Week 4: Prepare Notice of Intent for filing

August (Launch Month)

Week 1: Set start date (e.g., Sept 1)
Week 2: File Notice of Intent with BESE (must be within 15 days of start)
Week 3: Final preparations; organize learning space
Week 4: Begin instruction

This timeline gives you 3 months to prepare—ideal for a smooth transition.

Mid-Year Switch (January)

If switching mid-year:

December: Submit withdrawal letter; request records
Late December/Early January: Receive records; organize
January 1: Set start date; file Notice of Intent (within 15 days)
Mid-January: Begin homeschool

Faster timeline; less preparation time. Doable but more stressful.

Addressing Learning Gaps

When you receive your child’s records, look for:

Subjects where your child was struggling: These need attention in your curriculum choice
Standardized test scores: Shows where your child tested below grade level
Teacher comments: Specific areas flagged by teachers

If Your Child Was Behind

Choose curriculum with slower pace, more review
Consider one-on-one tutoring for weak areas
Expect to reteach some concepts
Use easier books for struggling readers; build confidence

If Your Child Was Advanced

Choose accelerated curriculum or allow faster pacing
Skip review/repetitive practice
Add enrichment in areas of interest
Don’t assume grade level is their ceiling

If Your Child Had Behavior Concerns

The new environment (home, smaller setting) may resolve issues
Consider what triggered the behavior (overcrowding, social conflict, learning frustration?)
Address the root cause if it follows to homeschool
Some behavior improves immediately with one-on-one attention

Helping Your Child Adjust

Switching from public to homeschool is an emotional transition. Your child may feel:

Relieved (if leaving a bad situation)
Nervous (about change)
Grieving (if leaving friends)
Uncertain (about the new routine)

First Week: Establish Routine

Keep schedule consistent (same time each day)
Praise effort, not perfection
Expect slower pace while they adjust
Provide reassurance and stability

First Month: Ease In

Start with shorter school days (2-3 hours vs. full day)
Focus on core subjects only
Skip enrichment while adjusting
Let child see that homeschool is manageable

Addressing Specific Concerns

“I’ll miss my friends”

Validate this—real loss
Find homeschool co-op, youth group, or activities quickly
Schedule some public school friendships to continue (lunch dates, sports, clubs)
Many friendships naturally continue even after school switch

“Homeschool won’t be as good academically”

Show your child their new curriculum is at or above grade level
Emphasize individualized pacing (they can move faster if ready)
One-on-one instruction is often MORE effective than classroom

“What if I can’t keep up?”

Start slow; build confidence
Emphasize mastery over speed
Show progress (compare to public school performance)
Tutoring is available if needed

“Will I be able to do sports/activities?”

BESE Home Study students can participate in public school athletics (with written request)
Homeschool co-ops offer sports, clubs, activities
Community rec leagues are available
College will see activities, so continue involvement

Special Cases

If Your Child Has an IEP

Withdrawing means:

Public school special education services END
You assume responsibility for appropriate instruction
Options: private tutor, specialized curriculum, online programs, GATOR ESA

Get the full IEP before withdrawing. You may need specialized curriculum (like Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia).

See for special education and ESA information.

If Your Child Is in Advanced Classes or Honors

Maintain or accelerate pace
AP or dual enrollment may be appropriate for high school
College will see homeschool transcript; ensure rigor is evident

If Your Child Was Recently Bullied

Change of environment often helps immediately
Monitor for lingering anxiety; address it
Social activities and co-op community are important
Consider whether bullying was isolated or reflects deeper peer issues

First Year Academic Expectations

Don’t expect everything to improve immediately.

You may experience:

Initial dip in motivation (adjustment period)
Resistance to structured learning (after classroom freedom)
Behavior changes (both positive and challenging)
Slower pacing (rebuilding trust in learning)
New concerns about subjects (one-on-one exposure can surface struggles)

These are normal. Usually settle within 4-8 weeks.

Focus on stability and confidence, not academics, month one.

Staying Connected to Public School Friendships

If your child had close friends in public school:

Schedule regular in-person time
Encourage text/social media connection
Continue any shared activities (sports, clubs, scouts)
Invite classmates for homeschool field trips or activities

Many friendships naturally continue. Some fade. That’s normal in any transition.

Re-Enrollment Option (Rare)

If homeschool isn’t working out, you can re-enroll in public school. However:

Mid-year re-enrollment can be complicated (seat availability, timing)
You’d need to meet school intake requirements
Your homeschool transcript becomes part of student record
Most families don’t need this option; they adjust and thrive

Better to give homeschool 6-12 months before deciding it’s not working.

Summer Transition Activities (If End-of-Year Switch)

Use summer to build excitement:

Tour your co-op or community activities
Let child see their new curriculum
Discuss the schedule and routine
Set up learning space together
Read about homeschooling together

Positive expectation-setting helps.

Summary

Switching from public to homeschool is straightforward legally but significant emotionally. Withdraw formally, file your Notice of Intent within 15 days, prepare academically, and give your child time to adjust.

Most children transition well within 4-8 weeks. The key is stability, encouragement, and connection to community. Choose the right curriculum, establish routine, and expect both growth and challenges as your family adjusts.

For complete getting-started guidance, see . For curriculum selection, see .

Your withdrawal won’t be perfect. That’s okay. Homeschool won’t be perfect either. You’ll both learn and grow in the transition. That’s the point.