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.

READ program provides home delivery of grade-appropriate books and literacy resources to elementary students reading below grade level

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - Louisiana, in collaboration with Scholastic, today announced Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables (READ), a new state-funded book and literacy program designed to help support Louisiana pre-K4 through 5th grade students who are not yet reading on grade level. READ will provide eligible students with home delivery of free, age-appropriate, high-quality books and engaging literacy resources.

Louisiana’s READ program is the result of Act 395 of the 2022 Regular Session and associated legislative appropriations. Families can visit readLA.scholastic.com to register their child or learn more about the program.

Throughout Louisiana, approximately 150,000 students are eligible to participate in the program. READ will not only ensure students across the state reading below grade level have increased access to books, but that they also have the opportunity to discover the power and joy of reading through book ownership.

In addition, eligible children and their families can select the topics of the books they would like to receive to better engage students in genres that interest them. Each title will be accompanied by a literacy resource that will extend learning by helping to build reading skills and confidence connected to each story.

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