Homeschooling in Louisiana: A Guide for Military Families

Whether you’re a military family newly stationed in Louisiana or you’ve been here awhile and are exploring your educational options, you’re in good company. Louisiana is a highly homeschool-friendly state, offering flexibility that fits well with the ever-changing demands of military life—PCS cycles, duty schedules, deployments, and everything in between.

This guide walks you through the essentials of homeschooling in Louisiana with clear steps, practical insights, and considerations specifically tailored to service members and their families.

Note: This guide is not legal advice. Always consult your local school board and the official Louisiana Department of Education resources when making educational decisions.

Is Homeschooling Easy in Louisiana?

Absolutely. Louisiana is considered a low-regulation state, making it a strong fit for military families seeking stability and continuity in their children’s education—regardless of duty station changes or unpredictable schedules.

Homeschooling Options in Louisiana

Louisiana provides two pathways:

1. Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval (maximum flexibility)

2. Approved Home Study Program (more documentation, but offers benefits like TOPS)

Military families often choose the option that best aligns with deployment cycles, PCS uncertainty, and long-term academic plans. You can switch between these options from year to year.

1. Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval

This is the most flexible option—ideal for families balancing command responsibilities, training schedules, or operational demands.

What it means: You establish your own private school and are exempt from curriculum requirements, testing, and state oversight.

Requirements:

• Submit your annual online form

• Within 15 days of beginning your school year, complete the attendance form

• No curriculum approval, no testing mandates, no report cards required

That’s it. This option offers the freedom to accommodate TDYs, field exercises, and deployments without worrying about strict state checkpoints.

2. Approved Home Study Program

This option requires more documentation but provides benefits—especially for high school students preparing for college.

Requirements include:

• Initial application with grade level

• Yearly renewal with proof of adequate academic progress

• Can use curriculum samples, standardized test scores, or a teacher’s review to demonstrate alignment with public school standards

Military-specific advantage: Students must be registered in the Home Study Program for 11th and 12th grade to qualify for the TOPS Scholarship, a major cost savings for families preparing for college during or after service.

School Requirements and Key Regulations

How many days?

Louisiana requires 180 days, but homeschool families—especially military families—often meet this naturally through structured lessons, hands-on learning, field trips, travel, and life skills.

Mandatory attendance age:

School becomes compulsory at age 5 in Louisiana.

Can you skip kindergarten?

Not in terms of attendance law—but you can homeschool kindergarten at home.

How long can we homeschool?

From ages 5 to 18—or earlier if you choose to begin pre-K at home.

Do Parents Need Teaching Qualifications?

No. Louisiana does not require any credentials or degrees to homeschool.

Military parents—whether active duty, reservist, or spouse—successfully homeschool every year, even with demanding schedules. You are fully capable of providing a high-quality education.

Is Unschooling Allowed?

Yes.

• Unschooling is legal under the Nonpublic School option.

• Under Home Study, learning must be documented and comparable to public school standards, but many families blend structured academics with interest-based learning.

  
  

Standardized Testing

Louisiana does not require testing for homeschoolers. You may request state testing through the local school board if you want scores for documentation or future school transitions.

Special Consideration for Military Families Stationed in Louisiana

Regardless of your home-of-record or last duty station, you must follow Louisiana homeschooling laws while you reside in Louisiana.

Think of it this way: Just like your child would attend the public school in your zip code, your homeschool follows the laws of your current physical location—not your home state.

This is especially important during:

• PCS transitions

• Short-term TDYs

• Geobaching situations

• Deployments or extended separations

Louisiana supports military families well, but the rules apply based on where you lay your head at night.

Curriculum Requirements

Nonpublic School Option

You're free to choose:

• No curriculum

• Fully written curriculum

• Hybrid learning

• Faith-based curriculum

• Online platforms

• Charlotte Mason, Montessori, or unit studies

This flexibility is extremely helpful if you move mid-year, face a sudden deployment, or need to adapt your schedule around duty requirements.

Home Study Option

Your curriculum must reflect the quality and scope of public schools. This doesn't mean duplication—it means demonstrating progress and structured learning.

Recordkeeping

Louisiana doesn't require portfolios, but military life often does.

PCS’ing? Re-enrolling a child in school unexpectedly? Needing documentation for a new district, DoD school, or another state?

A well-kept portfolio makes transitions smooth.

Best Practice: Save three years of:

• Selected work samples

• Attendance logs

• Reading lists

• Progress notes

This also becomes helpful for morale—homeschooling parents often forget how much their children have truly accomplished.

High School, Diplomas & Sports

Diplomas & Transcripts

Military families move—often. Louisiana empowers you to create your own transcript and diploma, ensuring continuity no matter where the military sends you.

High School Sports

Home Study students (not Nonpublic) may participate in LHSAA sports with principal approval.

College Sports

NCAA Division I and II athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if homeschooled for any part of high school.

For more information on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, please visit: http://lhsaa.org.

Getting Started in Louisiana

Step 1: Withdraw from public school

If your child was enrolled in a Louisiana school (or a previous state), officially withdraw them to avoid truancy flags.

Step 2: Gather homeschool essentials

Use a printable checklist. Typical essentials include:

• Standard school supplies

• Curriculum materials

• Manipulatives

• Hands-on kits

• Maps, science resources, and craft items

• A reliable printer

  
  

Step 3: Set up your learning space

This can be a dedicated room or simply:

• A kitchen table

• A living room couch

• A tote bag for on-the-go learning during duty days or drill weekends

Keep materials organized and portable—ideal for shared spaces or military housing.

Step 4: Build community

Connection is essential in military life. Explore:

• Local co-ops

• Louisiana homeschool groups

• Church-based groups

• Military homeschool networks

• Homeschool Louisiana

These offer academic support, field trips, social experiences, and community—elements military kids especially benefit from.

Homeschooling Through High School

The rules remain the same, but documentation becomes more important.

Align your teen’s education with:

• Career goals

• College plans

• Military enlistment requirements

• TOPS eligibility (if staying in Louisiana)

Many military families switch to the Home Study program in 11th–12th grade to access state scholarships.

Homeschool Resources Near NAS JRB New Orleans

1. Belle Chasse Homeschool Connection (BCHC) – Local Westbank Group

2. Gretna Homeschoolers - Local Westbank Group

3. S.E.R.V.E. Homeschool Outreach (Metairie)

4. NOLA Homeschoolers (Greater New Orleans)

5. Classical Conversations (Multiple Locations)

6. Homeschool Louisiana (Statewide Organization)

A Final Word of Encouragement

Military life is unpredictable, but homeschooling gives you something priceless: stability, continuity, and family connection, no matter your duty station or operational tempo.

You don’t need to have everything perfected at the start. You don’t need the “ideal” schedule. You don’t need to mimic a classroom.

What you need is flexibility, patience, and the willingness to adjust as deployments, duty days, and PCS orders roll in.

Homeschooling in Louisiana is not only doable—it’s deeply rewarding. And with every assignment, every move, and every mission, your children carry the gift of consistency that homeschooling provides.

You've got this. And Louisiana makes it easier.