Louisiana Homeschooling Requirements
Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) that has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or 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 a 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!
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Louisiana homeschooling requirements.
Louisiana’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
|
Homeschooling Options |
Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school |
|
Does the parent need to notify the state? |
Yes |
|
Academic Calendar Requirement |
Yes |
|
Reporting Age Requirement |
7 |
|
Instructor Qualifications |
No |
|
Required Subjects |
No |
|
Standardardized Assessment |
Yes, beginning in grade 3 |
|
Immunization Requirement |
Yes, with exceptions |
|
Keep a Portfolio |
Yes |
|
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families |
Yes |
Homeschooling Options
There are two homeschooling options in Louisiana. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school.
Option 2: Homeschooling as a home-based private school
Notifying the State
The Louisiana Department of Education requires homeschooling families under option 2 to provide a written notification to the school your student previously attended.
First year of homeschooling:
The notice should be sent within ten days of starting courses at Enlightium Academy (or right away if you missed this window) and should include the student’s:
- Legal name
- Birthdate
- Gender
- Race
Each subsequent year:
Within 30 days of the start of the current school year, provide the Louisiana Department of Education with your student’s total attendance from the previous school year; see “Academic Calendar” below for attendance information.
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 (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 six 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 seven through 18:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice; this includes homeschooling with 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 Masters and Doctorate degrees in their fields. The teacher-led support packages are available for students in grades 3-12. Learn more at our Teachers page.
Enlightium Academy also offers parent-led options for grades PreK-2 and for students in grades 3-10 Bronze support package. Under the parent-led option, parents act as teachers while Enlightium Academy provides grading and guidance support.
Required Subjects
The Louisiana Department of Education requires homeschooled students to be taught subjects in the same grade level that they would be taught in public school, but does not specify any subjects.
Elementary school grade level:
Students must be taught the Declaration of Independence.
High school grade level:
Students must be taught The Federalist Papers.
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 requires students to have a standardized assessment every three years starting in third grade.
Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:
- Grades 3-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT.
Immunization Requirement
Immunization for meningococcal disease is required in the state of Louisiana; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunizations as we serve homeschool students.
Families are required to provide evidence for meningococcal disease immunization to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education when their student is 11 years old.
Keep a portfolio
You may need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy which should include:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. 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 them during the registration process - Primary School (PreK-2), Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12)
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1 and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of semesters 1 and 2.
- 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, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and 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 homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be automatically added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
If you want your student to have the opportunity to apply for a Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship, instead of option 2, choose Option 1: Homeschooling as a home study program; option 1’s regulations can be found at the bottom of this article.
Option 1: Homeschooling as a home study program
Notifying the State
The Louisiana Department of Education requires homeschooling families under option 1 to apply for approval of the home study program to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
You will need to provide the following:
- Confirmation that the curriculum is at least of equal quality to that being taught in public schools. As a part of Enlightium’s dual accreditation, the curriculum used by Enlightium received an in-depth review by two independent accrediting agencies, and both found it to be of high quality.
- A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate; a photocopy will not suffice.
Note the following submission dates:
First year of homeschooling:
Submit the application within 15 days of starting courses at Enlightium Academy.
Each subsequent year:
By October 1 or 12 months after your initial approval, whichever date comes later.
The renewal process requires evidence that the student is being instructed in a quality curriculum and is progressing in their academics.
There are several channels laid out by the state to show this. For Enlightium families, the most efficient option may be to provide your student’s scores on a standardized test; see the “Standardized Assessment” section below for details.
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 (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 six 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 seven through 18:
Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy.
Instructor Qualifications
The Louisiana Department of Education does not require students under option 1 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 Masters and Doctorate degrees in their fields. The teacher-led support packages are available for students in grades 3-12. Learn more at our Teachers page.
Enlightium Academy also offers parent-led options for grades PreK-2 and for students in grades 3-10 Bronze support package. Under the parent-led option, parents act as teachers while Enlightium Academy provides grading and guidance support.
Required Subjects
The Louisiana Department of Education requires homeschooled students under option 1 to be taught subjects in the same grade level that they would be taught in public school, but does not specify any subjects.
Elementary school grade level:
Students must be taught the Declaration of Independence.
High school grade level:
Students must be taught The Federalist Papers.
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 requires students to have a standardized assessment every three years starting in third grade.
Enlightium provides multiple assessment options:
- Grades 3-8: Iowa Complete Annual Assessment - tests cover the required material and test scores are provided via email to the parent.
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the SAT and ACT.
Families of students in grades PreK-2 can speak to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for direction on taking a standardized assessment.
Immunization Requirement
Immunization for meningococcal disease is required in the state of Louisiana; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunizations as we serve homeschool students.
Families are required to provide evidence for meningococcal disease immunization to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education when their student is 11 years old.
Keep a portfolio
You may need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy which should include:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. 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 them during the registration process - Primary School (PreK-2), Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12)
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1 and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of semesters 1 and 2.
- 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, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Louisiana Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and 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 homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be automatically added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process and select the blue button near the top of the page.
Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review state requirements and regulations annually however each state may update their guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions please contact your state board of education.
Sources reviewed in April 2022:
