Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Enlightium has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. In general, state institutions recognize Enlightium Academy as an out-of-state private school that allows students to transfer in or transfer out to public and private schools. Enlightium Academy provides our families with standard information about their state’s requirements, and parents are encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Louisiana Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.; however, with the freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help! As you review your state’s homeschooling requirements, please keep in mind that Enlightium Academy holds dual accreditation from Cognia and ACSI. This enables us to serve students in all 50 states, providing an accredited education that leads to a high school diploma recognized nationwide.
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Louisiana’s requirements.
Homeschooling Options
There are two options in Louisiana. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 2: Homeschooling as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval. This option does not require BESE approval and allows families to use a curriculum provider such as Enlightium while remaining responsible for compliance with state law. The information below is based on option 2.
Option 1: Homeschooling as a home study program (BESE-Approved Home Study Program) is an alternative that may be beneficial for high school students who wish to keep open the possibility of qualifying for programs such as the TOPS scholarship after graduation. Under this state-recognized option, the parent or guardian is responsible for applying for and maintaining approval through the Louisiana Department of Education. Enlightium Academy serves as a curriculum provider, and families remain responsible for meeting all state requirements. Families should review the official guidelines here.
Louisiana’s Requirements at a Glance
Homeschooling Options = Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school
State Educational Funds = No, But Tax Deductions May be Available
Parent Notifies the State = Yes
Academic Calendar Requirement = Yes
Reporting Age Requirement = 5-18
Instructor Qualifications = No
Required Subjects = No
Standardized Assessment = Enlightium Requires
Immunization Requirement = No
Keep a Portfolio = Yes
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families = Yes
State Educational Funds
Although Louisiana families are not eligible to receive educational funds, eligible families may be able to deduct up to $6,000 per student on their taxes upon approval. They can visit the Louisiana Department of Revenue website or speak with a tax professional for more info.
Notifying the State
When operating a home-based private school in Louisiana, families must notify their child’s previous school within 10 days of enrollment. Louisiana does not have a formal registration or approval process for this option.
In addition, families are required to submit attendance information to the Louisiana Department of Education after the student has been enrolled for at least 30 days and annually thereafter. This reporting is used to verify compliance with compulsory attendance laws.
Academic Calendar
The Louisiana Department of Education requires the homeschool program to operate for 180 days each school year.
Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 210 days with summer school). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
Age Requirement
Ages four or younger:
Students are not required to attend school, but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.
Ages five through 18:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice; this includes enrolling at Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
The Louisiana Department of Education does not require students under option 2 to have teachers with specific credentials or qualifications.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state* and/or ACSI-certified. A number of our faculty members have Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields.
*For students living in the U.S., this does not necessarily mean that their teachers are certified in the student’s state of residence, but instead in the teacher’s state of residence. For most states, this distinction is not important to the student’s academics.
Required Subjects
Under option 2, the Louisiana Department of Education does not require any specific courses. However, the program must provide a sustained curriculum of quality appropriate to the student’s age and grade level.
After you enroll/re-enroll and before your student starts courses at Enlightium Academy, your student’s counselor will send you an email with a recommended course schedule consisting of core courses and, if applicable, courses that fulfill Enlightium’s graduation requirements. Your student can also select from Enlightium’s elective courses.
Standardized Assessment
The Louisiana Department of Education does not require standardized tests for homeschooled students under Option 2. However, Enlightium requires and provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per given grade level:
- Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT
Immunization Requirement
Louisiana does not require homeschool students to submit immunization records to the state. However, families should maintain vaccination or exemption records, especially if their child later enrolls in a public or private school.
Keep a portfolio
Louisiana law does not require families to maintain or submit records such as attendance or portfolios. However, many families choose to keep records for personal tracking or future school transitions. Enlightium recommends you keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include the following:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with progress reports via email. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
- Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide academic plans during the admission process for each of our four divisions of grades: primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students at the end of each quarter. Transcripts are available upon request.
- Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
- Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, Outstanding Improvement, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and involvement in the Student Council.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and a desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Louisiana to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s requirements. Your family will be provided a link to download the app after enrolling.
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email consultants@enlightiumacademy.com
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process, and select the “Enroll Now” button.
Since 2003, Enlightium Academy has supported K–12 students in online, book-based, and partner schools. Our dedicated faculty and staff, in collaboration with parents, deliver high-quality instruction and individualized learning. We focus on developing each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being.
To find out if Enlightium is the right school for your family, schedule an appointment, call (509) 319-2288, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review state requirements and regulations annually; however, each state may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your state board of education.
Sources reviewed in April 2026:
