Homeschool benefits and savings in Orleans Parish
Under Orleans Parish School Board policy, your state-approved home study child can borrow available textbooks and instructional materials for the school term with a refundable deposit equal to their replacement cost, and can take the LEAP tests for a fee of up to $35. Board-operated public schools cannot bar your child from extracurricular activities or athletics just for being in home study if you live in the school's attendance zone.
Who qualifies
Is in state-approved home study
You apply to the Louisiana Department of Education with your child's birth certificate within 15 days of starting, and renew by October 1 or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later.
Pays the textbook deposit
Textbooks are issued only with a deposit of 100% of their replacement cost, returned when the books come back.
Lives in the attendance zone
Textbooks come from the school of your child's assigned attendance zone, and extracurricular access is at the school whose zone you live in.
Has cleared textbook debts
If books are not returned or paid for, your family cannot keep using the textbook program until the debt is cleared.
What home study families get
The terms come from Orleans Parish School Board policy IDCH, Home Study Program, revised September 19, 2024.
- Textbooks and instructional materials, as available
- Deposit only
- Textbook deposit
- 100% of replacement cost
- Deposit back on returned books
- Full refund
- Lost or damaged textbooks
- No refund
- LEAP testing on request
- Up to $35
- Tryouts for clubs and teams at your zoned school
- Same as enrolled students
Textbooks are lent only as available, and principals may ask to inspect them during the term.
How to use it
- Within 15 days of starting
Get state approval
Apply to the Louisiana Department of Education for home study approval with a copy of your child's birth certificate.
- Start of the term
Borrow textbooks
Ask the school of your assigned attendance zone for available textbooks and pay the deposit. Loans last no longer than the current school term.
- Before testing dates
Request LEAP testing
Ask the Superintendent to let your child take the LEAP tests on the date the Superintendent sets. You receive the score and whether your child met state standards.
- End of coursework
Return the books
Return textbooks and materials when your child finishes the coursework to get the deposit back.
- By October 1 each year
Renew home study
Submit the renewal to the Louisiana Department of Education by October 1 or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later.
What it includes
Included
- Available textbooks and instructional materials
- LEAP testing under public school conditions
- Tryouts for extracurricular activities and athletics
Not included
- Deposits on lost or damaged textbooks
- A regular high school diploma without returning to an approved school
Good to know
Home study students can borrow textbooks
Children in a state-approved home study program can borrow. The School Board supplies available textbooks and materials, and you pay a deposit equal to their replacement cost that comes back when you return them.
Lost or damaged books forfeit the deposit
You do not get the deposit back for a lost or damaged textbook, and unpaid textbook debts stop your family from borrowing again until they are cleared.
Who to contact about home study access
The district's main number handles general information and central office questions, including whom to ask about textbooks and LEAP testing.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Louisiana
BESE-approved home study: apply through LDOE within 15 days of starting; renew by October 1 or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later, or when advancing a grade. Nonpublic school not seeking approval: report enrollment annually as of the 30th school day; notify the previous public school within 10 days of enrollment when transferring.
Louisiana sets these rules:
- Subjects: Both routes require a 180-day school session. BESE-approved home study must provide sustained instruction at least equal in quality to public schools at the same grade; the nonpublic route does not require state curriculum approval.
- Testing: No mandatory state standardized test. BESE home-study renewal accepts a curriculum packet, qualifying standardized scores, or a grade-qualified certified teacher’s statement. The nonpublic route does not submit renewal test scores.
- Records: BESE home-study renewal requires evidence through the curriculum-packet, test-score, or teacher-statement option. For the nonpublic route, maintain attendance records and applicable immunization or exemption documentation.
- Teachers: BESE home-study parents or tutors need no teaching certification. An unfunded nonpublic school sets its own instructional-staff requirements.
Read the Louisiana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Louisiana
Questions parents ask
- Can my child play on a public school team?
- Your child can try out if you live in the school's attendance zone. A board-operated school cannot disqualify your child solely for being in approved home study, and your child must keep the same GPA and discipline standards as enrolled students.
- What do we learn from LEAP testing?
- Your child's score and whether your child passed and met the state performance standards. A certified teacher gives the test under the same conditions as for public school students.
- Can my child earn a diploma through home study?
- Not a regular high school diploma unless your child returns to an approved school and meets all graduation requirements. Home study students can take the high school equivalency test after completing the program.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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