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.

“Students and teachers deserve peaceful schools”

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school system leaders to “recommit to assertive discipline action.” As the first day of school approaches in parishes across the state, Dr. Brumley issued a letter PDF to system leaders this week calling for order in classrooms and affording teachers more disciplinary authority over disruptive students.

“Campus and classroom disruptions are hindering the teaching profession and student learning,” Dr. Brumley wrote in the letter. “As we approach a new school year, please recommit to assertive discipline action to create safe and orderly environments where teaching and learning can flourish. Students and teachers deserve peaceful schools.”

Dr. Brumley’s Let Teachers Teach workgroup dedicated an entire section of their recent recommendations to student behavior and discipline.

In the letter, Dr. Brumley calls attention to a pair of Acts of the 2024 Legislative Session that go into effect August 1.

Act 400: Student Discipline and Teacher Rights

This law amends existing law and the Teacher Bill of Rights providing that teachers shall have disruptive students removed from their classrooms. Further, it codifies that leaders may not discriminate or retaliate against a teacher seeking to provide an orderly classroom. This act further amends current law to require a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the student’s parents prior to a student being admitted to the same classroom after a third removal due to disruptive behavior.

Act 337: Mandatory Expulsion in Grades 6-12

This law adds expulsion requirements for conditions involving knives and drugs. Furthermore, the Act provides, notwithstanding other policies, 6-12th graders suspended a third time within the same school year for any offense, excluding those related to dress code or tardiness, shall be recommended for expulsion.

“These laws address behavior complications educators and students faced in previous years and aim to improve the school experience,” wrote Dr. Brumley. “Affording teachers more disciplinary authority over disruptive students will maintain order in classrooms. Further, students will benefit as distractions will be lessened and academic outcomes strengthened.”