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Withdrawing from school to homeschool in Louisiana

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in Louisiana, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Louisiana's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what Louisiana asks of a new homeschool. Within 15 days after starting: Apply to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), through the Louisiana Department of Education, for approval of a home study program. The state's form: Home study application (online, Louisiana Department of Education).Source: La. R.S. 17:236.1, approval of home study programs (Louisiana Legislature)
  2. Tell the school. Any time: A school cannot refuse to let you withdraw your child. The Department suggests applying first and giving the school a copy of the approval letter.Source: Department of Education: BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines (3/27/2026)
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. The law names no register to keep. At renewal the packet option lists a subject outline for the year, a list of books and materials, copies of the student's work and any standardized tests. The Department's guidelines add a statement from a third party who saw the child's progress.Source: La. R.S. 17:236.1, approval of home study programs (Louisiana Legislature)

What Louisiana's law or education agency says about leaving school

The Department says a school cannot refuse to let a parent withdraw a child, and a child may be withdrawn before the home study approval arrives. It suggests applying before withdrawing and giving the prior school a copy of the approval letter.Source: Department of Education: BESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines (3/27/2026)

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of Louisiana.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Louisiana; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.