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.

Summer learning program guidance helps school systems develop enriching opportunities for all students in academics, arts, P.E. and well-being supports

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Education is encouraging school systems to approach summer learning in a new way. The Department’s new summer learning program guidance helps systems develop offerings that mirror summer camp. Along with core content tutoring in small groups, the sample structure provided by the LDOE includes field trips, the arts, library visits, recess and well-being supports.

“Despite the heroic efforts of our educators, students lost out on more than academics during the pandemic. They also missed music, art, P.E. and the social connection with classmates and educators,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “We’re pleased systems are considering our guidance utilizing their pandemic funding to rethink summer school. Families deserve the choice of full-day, enriching activities with high-quality educators.”

Summer learning programs are designed to provide students with additional opportunities for learning and growing during the summer months. The Department is encouraging school systems to create opportunities for all students to access a summer learning program. The new guidance includes sample structures, schedules, staffing, academic offerings and enrichment activities school systems can use as they fund summer opportunities for incoming K-8 students. The guidance also recognizes the long-term benefits of systems connecting with community partners to support their work.

School systems can utilize multiple funding sources to support implementation. These include funds from their general fund, Title I, CARES, CAA and Direct Student Services allocations.

There are various short- and long-term benefits of summer learning programs, including:

Student well-being
Acceleration, maintenance or extension of academic skills
Allows students to explore activities and interests that develop the whole child
Helps prevent summer learning loss
Provides a safe, positive environment
Builds student-teacher relationships
Decreases discipline referrals
Decreases likelihood of students repeating a grade
Increases attendance
Stronger academic performance

The summer learning program guidance was first released to school systems in February. School systems can utilize the Department’s Accelerate tutoring initiative along with their summer learning program. Launched this year on February 1, Accelerate is designed to provide systems with the structures and teachers with resources that will accelerate students’ learning in connection with what’s taught during the normal school day. In education terms, an acceleration approach means connecting unfinished learning in the context of new learning, integrating new information and the needed prior knowledge.

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