How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Louisiana

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Louisiana requires to start

   To use the home study program a parent applies to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) through the Department of Education, certifying a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to public schools, and attaches a certified birth certificate with the initial application (R.S. 17:236.1). The Department's March 2026 guidelines describe approval as a BESE decision, and BESE notifies the local superintendent. A separate pathway, a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, uses an annual attendance submission instead.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The Department guidelines say a school cannot refuse a parent's withdrawal, that withdrawing before approval is allowed, and that the parent should give the approval letter to the prior school. They suggest applying before withdrawing and note that reviews can take up to 14 business days. The guidelines also warn about the 180-day compulsory attendance exposure while approval is pending.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   R.S. 17:236.1 requires the initial application within 15 days of the program's commencement, and renewal by October 1 of the school year or within 12 months of approval, whichever is later. Renewal evidence can be a student packet, test scores or a certified teacher statement per the guidelines.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Louisiana sources we read do not describe a state records right on withdrawal beyond giving the prior school the approval letter; not found in primary sources. Federal FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) gives a parent the right to inspect and review, and to request a copy of, the child's education records.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   The Department guidelines state that BESE home study students do not qualify for IDEA services or Section 504 accommodations (citing BESE policy 1984, revised 2002), and advise contacting the local education agency first. Under the federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4), if a parent revokes consent in writing for continued special education and related services, the school may not keep providing them and must give prior written notice before stopping.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Louisiana: it goes to your child's current school to withdraw, and the state filing described above is a separate step. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The principal of my child's current school [name and address]

Re: Withdrawal from school and home education, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Please accept this letter as notice that I am withdrawing my child from [name of current school], effective [start date]. I will be providing a home education program under La. R.S. 17:236.1 and 17:236.2.

I am applying to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for the BESE-Approved Home Study Program.

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Education, Home Study, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions