Anchor Homeschooling in Louisiana
medium regulation
What Louisiana requires
- Notice to authorities: Yes. Option 1 (BESE-Approved Home Study): file initial application online via LouisianaBelieves within 15 days of starting; renew annually by October 1. Option 2 (Unapproved Nonpublic School): file notice within 30 days of school year start, no portfolio.
- Instructional days: 180 per year
- Portfolio: Required.
- Standardized testing: One option — you may test or submit a portfolio.
- Annual evaluator: Not required.
- Quarterly reports: Not required.
- Legal paths: BESE approved home study, unapproved nonpublic school
How to start homeschooling in Louisiana
- File your notice with the state. Two options: (1) BESE-Approved Home Study -- apply within 15 days of starting via LouisianaBelieves (or email [email protected]), renew by Oct 1, submit test scores OR portfolio OR teacher statement annually (TOPS-eligible). (2) Unapproved Nonpublic School -- file notice within 30 days, no portfolio (not TOPS-eligible). File online with the state →
- Plan your school year. Louisiana expects 180 instructional days per year — set your calendar before you start so the count takes care of itself.
- Put assessment on the calendar. Each year you'll submit either standardized test results or a portfolio of work — decide which at the start of the year so you collect the right evidence as you go.
- Keep records from your first day. Attendance, samples of work, and any test or evaluation results — every requirement above is answered from these three, and they're painless to keep daily and miserable to reconstruct in May.
How Anchor helps
Anchor logs every day automatically when you make an activity entry. It builds the portfolio your state expects, generates the attendance PDF, and reminds you about evaluations before they're due.
Common questions about homeschooling in Louisiana
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires notice to the authorities before you begin home education. Option 1 (BESE-Approved Home Study): file initial application online via LouisianaBelieves within 15 days of starting; renew annually by October 1. Option 2 (Unapproved Nonpublic School): file notice within 30 days of school year start, no portfolio.
How many days or hours of school does Louisiana require?
Louisiana requires 180 instructional days per year. Anchor counts each day for you as you log activities, and shows how many you have left.
Does Louisiana require a portfolio or standardized testing?
Yes. Louisiana requires a portfolio of your student's work.
Does Louisiana require an annual evaluation?
No. Louisiana does not require an annual evaluator review.
What records should I keep to homeschool in Louisiana?
Keep attendance for every school day, samples of your student's work, and any test or evaluation results Louisiana asks for. Homeschool Anchor builds all three from your daily logs and turns this state's rules into dated checkpoints, so nothing is reconstructed at the deadline.
Stay compliant without the paperwork
Free for 1 student. $8/month for the full family with PDF exports, photo activity logging, and AI-assisted summaries.
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Sources: HSLDA — Louisiana · Louisiana Department of Education · last verified 2026-08-08 · Always verify with your state homeschool association before relying on this.