Starting a Private School in Louisiana
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in Louisiana. Enjoy!
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See what else you need to know about starting a private school. From your curriculum to your marketing, and everything in-between.
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Louisiana State Regulations
General Regulations
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Louisiana does not have accreditation or licensing requirements for nonpublic schools.
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All schools, regardless of approval, must register with the state.
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Approval is optional and requires an annual review of curriculum and student performance.
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The Louisiana Department of Education has assembled a page of detailed requirements for private schools.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in Louisiana.
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Homeschool families must register with the state.
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The Louisiana DOE has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
Curriculum Requirements
Approved schools must meet curriculum requirements in line with public schools in the state. Non-approved schools can offer any curriculum but must limit class size to 35 students, except in large activity courses such as band and physical education.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
Schools receiving state, local, or federal funding must hire certified teachers. Schools not receiving government funding can hire teachers at their discretion.
Food Services / Lunch
In Louisiana, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Education.
Length of School Year
Schools must operate at least 180 days per year. School days must include 330 minutes of instruction per day.
Recordkeeping & Reports
All schools must maintain student registration, attendance, and health records and report to the state each year.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
Students must be immunized, unless medically or religiously exempt, and provide documentation to the school.
Transportation
Parish and city school boards must provide free transportation for nonpublic school students attending approved schools, providing the school does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin. If a parish or city school board determines transportation by bus is impractical, not available, or unwarranted, the board may utilize common carriers.
Testing
Students are required to pass state standardized tests to earn a standard state diploma.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
Louisiana State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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Independent Schools Association of the Southwest: ISAS promotes, upholds, and advances the highest educational and professional standards for the region’s independent schools.
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Louisiana Association of Independent Schools: The association encourages communication among member schools, fosters the traditional freedom of the independent school to practice its philosophies of education, and serves as a liaison with regional and national accrediting agencies, and the National Association of Independent Schools.
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Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS): The mission of SAIS is to strengthen member schools by providing high-quality accreditation processes, comprehensive professional growth opportunities, and visionary leadership development programs.
Government Websites
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Guide Quick-Nav
Introduction
We’ve developed these 10 topics to help you along the way. Take them all in at once, or start with the areas most relevant right now.
School Identity
There’s plenty you can do to develop your own brand, starting right from your personal ideals and goals for your school.
Curriculum
Our curriculum pages include ideas on where to go to find materials, and different associations and educational models you may want to consider.
Legal & Operating Requirements
You need to know the requirements at both the federal level and for your state. Here are the basic details for every state.
Funding & Finance
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.
Business Plan & Budget
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Facilities
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.
Staffing
How can you find and recruit the right talent for your school? What qualifications or certifications are required?
Policies & Procedures
Thinking about more than just a student handbook and conduct code, we've included recommendations & templates to help you develop your school policies & procedures
Marketing & Online Presence
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Associations
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.