Expanding Education Options for All Students

LOUISIANA SCHOOL CHOICE

School Choice Options for Louisiana Students

Expanding educational choice for student and families is one of Louisiana's Education Priorities. Parents are their child’s first and foremost teachers, and are in control of their child’s education. Families should have the freedom to choose the educational setting that best meets their needs. That’s why we are committed to school choice options, from high-quality traditional public schools to public charters, non-public schools, and home-study programs. No child should be limited by their zip code.

School Choice

LA GATOR Scholarship Program Charter Schools BESE-Approved Nonpublic Schools Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval BESE-Approved Home Study Program Louisiana Scholarship Program School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities Tuition Donation Credit Program

School Choice in Louisiana

These are some of the options families in Louisiana have when choosing the best education environment for their child. Click on the links at the top of this page to learn more and access resources for families, educators, and system leaders.

Traditional Public Schools

Public schools serve local communities and are open to all students. They follow state-approved curriculum standards and are funded by taxpayer dollars to ensure a well-rounded, accessible education.

Charter Schools

Charter schools offer innovative approaches to education and greater flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods. They’re publicly funded and open to all students, with accountability to state standards and school performance.

Nonpublic Schools

Approved nonpublic schools offer families a private school option that meets specific state requirements. They may provide unique curricula, faith-based programs, or specialized instruction to fit family preferences.

Nonpublic Schools Not Seeking State Approval

These private schools operate independently without state oversight. They offer more freedom in curriculum design, though they aren’t required to meet state standards or performance reporting.

Home Study

The home study option allows families to develop a personalized education experience at home. It’s a flexible, parent-led program with state registration available to meet certain criteria and access select state resources.

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) today announced the launch of The Protect Louisiana Schools: Hurricane Preparedness Commission (PLSHPC), Louisiana’s first statewide commission centered on solidifying our public school’s core infrastructures and creating operational best practices for school systems and leaders during hurricanes.

“Over the past two years, Louisiana has been catastrophically impacted by six hurricanes — two of which were among the strongest in our state’s history,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "Many coastal public schools have been devastated from the repeated barrage of high winds, torrential rain, and flash floods, resulting in billions of dollars in damages – roofs torn off, hallways flooded, walls collapsed. But despite all of this, Louisiana’s students, teachers, administrators, and parents have shown unwavering resilience in the face of extraordinary adversity. They have done their part — now is the time for us to do ours.”

PLSHPC will bring together experts from the private sector, academia, and government to formulate comprehensive recommendations that will modernize Louisiana’s education infrastructure and equip school systems with the necessary tools to protect their facilities pre- and post-hurricane.

PLSHPC is comprised of:

Catherine Cassidy, Principal, Southside High School
Doris Voitier, Superintendent / BESE Member, St. Bernard Parish Schools
Joel Dillon, Manager of Executive Operations, Louisiana Department of Education
Karl Bruchhaus, Superintendent, Calcasieu Parish School Board
Kelli Oertling, Principal, Lakewood Elementary
Kendricks "Ken" Brass, Louisiana State Representative, District 58
Mark Abraham, Louisiana State Senator, District 25
Philip Martin, Superintendent, Terrebonne Parish School District
Sharon L. Clark, Charter Director, Sophie B. Wright High School
Spencer Harris, Principal, Springfield High School
Talé D. Lockett, Chief Executive Officer, Algiers Charter School Association
Trevis A. Thompson, School Safety Officer, Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
Tiffany Delcour, Chief Operations Officer, NOLA Public Schools
Mark Richards, Lecturer, Emergency and Security Studies Program, Tulane University
Dr. Kimberly L. Foster, Dean, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University
Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering & Science, Louisiana Tech University
Dr. Carol J. Friedland, Associate Professor, Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management, Louisiana State University

For more information, please visit ProtectLaSchools.Org.

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