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 (Department) today announced the school systems that have been approved to receive funding from the $40 million allocated for the Reimagine School Systems program. In addition to financial resources, participating school systems receive technical assistance and targeted support to ensure the work is transformative and sustainable.

“When we launched the Reimagine School Systems program in 2021, we did so to encourage school systems to create new high-quality educational opportunities, to be innovative, to challenge themselves and their students,” said Dr. Cade Brumley, State Superintendent of Education. “We are extremely pleased with the quality of the applications we have received from school systems throughout the state, and I look forward to seeing how these programs expand possibilities for students.”

To date, 36 applications have been approved from 31 school systems. Allocations thus far total $10,800,000 for planning and $28,170,000 for implementation.

Bossier
Calcasieu
Central Community School District
Claiborne
DeSoto
East Baton Rouge
East Baton Rouge/KIPP Charter
East Baton Rouge/Recovery School District/Redesign Schools Louisiana
East Feliciana
Evangeline
Jackson

Jefferson
Lafayette
Orleans/Community Academies
Orleans/Morris Jeff Community Schools
Orleans/Einstein Charter Schools
Orleans – NOLA Public Schools
Orleans/Collegiate Academies
Orleans/FirstLine Schools
Orleans/KIPP New Orleans
Orleans/Algiers Charter School Association

Orleans/Hynes Charter
Orleans/Educators for Quality Alternatives
Orleans/Type 2 Charter - New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy
Orleans/Type 2 Charter - International High School of New Orleans
Rapides
St. Bernard
Tangipahoa
Vermilion
West Baton Rouge
West Feliciana

School systems participating in the program receive the following benefits.

Technical assistance: each system is matched with high-quality providers with expertise in selected Reimagine School Actions
Financial resources: each system receives two phases of funding–up to $350,000 in Phase I, and up to $1.5 million or more per grant in Phase 2
Capacity building: each system will develop new competencies to lead innovative school system work, building their overall skills to lead successful school systems

Contact Deputy Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Tuttleton at jennifer.tuttleton@la.gov with questions about the Reimagine School Systems program.

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