Homeschool Sports Eligibility in Louisiana
Yes. Louisiana law bars a public school from disqualifying a student in approved home study from sports only because of that enrollment, if the family lives in the school's attendance zone.
How homeschool participation works
Section 17:176.2 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S.), added by Act 715 of 2024, covers extracurricular activities and interscholastic athletics. Approved home study means a program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
The statute also reaches the athletic association. No public school may belong to, or compete in events sponsored by, an interscholastic athletic association that denies eligibility only because a student is in approved home study. That rule applies to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).
The law guarantees a fair tryout. Making the team depends on the same qualifications every applicant must meet.
Rules that decide participation
BESE-approved home study
Your child is on the BESE route. Students taught through a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, Louisiana's other homeschool route, are not covered.
Attendance zone
You live in the attendance zone of the public school where your child wants to play.
Same tryout process
Your child tries out or applies in the same manner, at the same time, and in the same place as students who attend the school.
Grades and discipline
Once on a team, your child keeps every requirement an enrolled player must meet, including any minimum grade point average and the school's disciplinary standards. Failing either one is grounds for removal.
Before the season
First step
Bring your child's BESE home study approval letter to the athletic director and ask for the tryout schedule and the team's grade and conduct rules.
When to start
Tryouts happen on the school's own calendar, so ask before the season about dates and the paperwork enrolled players turn in.
School that fits around the season
Lessons start at your child's level and go wherever practice and travel do. We grade the work as it is submitted and keep the grades and transcript a school or league may ask to see.
$149/month per child after the trial.