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.

Child Care Providers to Receive Subsidies Based on Enrollment for Another 30 Days

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Amid the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the Louisiana Department of Education today announced it would provide subsidized child care to essential critical infrastructure personnel for an additional 30 days. The extension, which comes a month after the Department opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to these workers regardless of income, applies to families already receiving services, as well as to families who continue to seek services.

The Department also today announced it would continue to pay child care providers who participate in the CCAP based on the number of children enrolled, not the number of children attending each day, through the month of May to help offset the financial impacts of the public health crisis. According to a recent report from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, 78 percent of child care providers have lost revenue, totaling at least $1.7 million so far.

"If families can keep children at home, they are urged to do so. But for those who are on the frontlines and who do not have this option, we must continue to ensure affordable access to child care," said Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian, who oversees early childhood education. "We must also support child care providers who, already operating on razor-thin financial margins, are experiencing serious, negative impacts as a result of COVID-19."

The Governor's emergency proclamations to close school facilities to students have not included child care and early learning centers. Early learning centers continue to make individual decisions about whether to close their businesses. To date, 69 percent have closed. Those that have chosen to remain open have been advised to follow health and safety guidance from the Governor's Office and public health officials, including limiting group sizes to 10 or fewer children and adults.

The licensed child care centers and the registered and certified family child care and in-home providers that remain open are primarily serving children of critical personnel.

To date, more than 3,700 critical personnel have applied for the CCAP for their children. Of those applications, over 3,800 children have been approved for service.

As of now, applications will continue to be accepted through the month of May. In addition to childcare providers and staff, essential critical infrastructure workers in the following industries are eligible:

Chemical
Communication and Information Technology
Critical Manufacturing
Defense Industrial Base
Energy (electrical industry, petroleum, natural and propane gas worker)
Financial Services
Food and Agriculture
Hazardous Material
Health Care/Public Health
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders
Other Community Based Government
Public Works
Transportation and Logistics
Waste and Wastewater

Upon approval, initial certification will be valid for 30 days. The Department will reassess applications as it continues to monitor the public health crisis.

Learn more about eligible workers.

Access the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application.

View subsidy rates.

View a map of child care providers.

Access additional COVID-19 information and resources.

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