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.
The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program will for the first time ever provide education scholarship accounts (ESAs) to Louisiana families. These scholarships provide parents with an account that allows them to customize their child’s education. The scholarship accounts can be used for school tuition and fees, tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks and curricula, dual enrollment courses, and uniforms.
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.
Act 499 of the 2024 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session requires that the Louisiana Department of Education request authorization from the U.S. Department of Education to waive the requirement that all students participate in the same assessments by grade level and subject specific to the requirement of R.S. 17:24.10 that students in kindergarten through third grade participate in a universal literacy screener three times during the school year. As an alternative, students with dyslexia as defined in R.S. 17:392.11 would take a nationally norm-referenced assessment to measure oral reading fluency and phonological skills. Interested personnel and members of the public may submit questions or comments to Ashley Townsend, Deputy Chief of Policy, via email at EducationPolicy@la.gov, placing “ESEA Waiver” in the subject line, by July 5, 2024.
