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.

Stronger Connections Grant program helps school systems keep students and teachers safe by reinforcing single-points of entry

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education is launching a program to fund single-points of entry on school campuses. The agency will direct $21 million through the upcoming Stronger Connections Grant program.

“We intend to use one-time funds to harden the perimeters of our schools,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These funds will help support this foundational element of school safety.”

Louisiana’s funding source is the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, which provides $1 billion in funding for states. The Stronger Connections Grant program provides funding to school systems on a competitive basis to support school safety efforts.

Access control, such as a single-point of entry or locked entry points, is a school safety best practice broadly supported among experts. Projects may include surveillance cameras, metal detectors, or other physical security equipment or construction renovations to enhance security at a single point of entry. The LDOE is also encouraging school systems to solicit feedback from educators, parents, and the community on school safety.

This is the latest action taken by the Louisiana Department of Education to help school systems keep students and educators safe. In October 2022, the LDOE announced a partnership with Crimestoppers GNO to make it easier for students, educators, and families to prevent acts of violence at school through the use of an anonymous reporting app. In August 2022, the LDOE hosted the inaugural Louisiana School Safety Summit. The event brought together around 800 educators and first responders to collaborate on keeping students safe. The second annual Louisiana School Safety Summit will take place June 15 in Baton Rouge at the Raising Cane’s River Center.

Earlier this week, Crimestoppers GNO presented Dr. Brumley with the Award of Excellence in Student Safety & Prevention. The State Superintendent received the honor during the 38th Annual Crimestoppers Awards Luncheon in New Orleans.

The LDOE will host a Stronger Connections Grant informational webinar for school systems on March 16 prior to opening the application window. The deadline for school systems to apply for funding is April 3. School system leaders can email questions to LDOE.grantshelpdesk@la.gov.

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