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.

Department outlines eligibility requirements for free and reduced-price meals

BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Department of Education’s Division of Nutrition Support today announced it is seeking applications from eligible institutions interested in administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally funded program that provides healthy, affordable meals to both children and adults. The program’s 2024 fiscal year begins October 1, 2023, and applications are accepted year-round.

The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service Program. It is federally funded, but administered by individual states. Program participants receive meals and snacks through daycare centers, afterschool programs, emergency shelters and homes, among other locations. CACFP meals will be provided at sites under contract with the state education department, or at homes or daycare centers operating under agreements with sponsoring organizations under contract with the agency.

Eligibility

CACFP eligibility is based on the following income scales effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Households with incomes less than or equal to these levels are eligible for reduced price meals.

Reduced Price Meal Eligibility:
Household Size	Yearly	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	$26,973	$2,248	$1,124	$1,038	$519
2	$36,482	$3,041	$1,521	$1,404	$702
3	$45,991	$3,833	$1,917	$1,769	$885
4	$55,500	$4,625	$2,313	$2,135	$1,068
5	$65,009	$5,418	$2,709	$2,501	$1,251
6	$74,518	$6,210	$3,105	$2,867	$1,434
7	$84,027	$7,003	$3,502	$3,232	$1,616
8	$93,536	$7,795	$3,898	$3,598	$1,799
Each additional family member add	+ $9,509	+ $793	+ $397	+ $366	+ $183

In addition, the following individuals are automatically eligible:

All child care participants who are in foster care and/or enrolled in Head Start centers;
All child care participants who are recipients of the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally Food Stamps), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) assistance units, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)*; and
All adult care participants who are recipients FITAP, SNAP, FDPIR, SSI or Medicaid.*

*This applies to centers and homes receiving federal assistance from the CACFP.

Additional Information

For training opportunities for potential sponsors, click here.

For more information on these programs, contact the Department’s Division of Nutrition Support at 1-877-453-2721 or (225) 342-3720 or email childnutritionprograms@la.gov.

Nondiscrimination Statement effective 5/22:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Compliant Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Nondiscrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.