Louisiana families choose from a wide range of private and parochial schools. These run from large Catholic high schools in Lafayette and Covington to small church-run academies in Marrero and Abbeville. Our database lists 360 of them, and the choices look very different in metro New Orleans, around Baton Rouge, in Acadiana, or in a rural parish. This page explains how the system works so you can narrow your search before you pick up the phone.

How Louisiana Regulates Private and Parochial Schools

The state does not operate private schools. Each one is run by a church, a diocese, a nonprofit board or an independent owner. At the state level, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) set the rules for nonpublic schools that seek state approval. Those standards are published in Bulletin 741 for nonpublic schools, which is the handbook administrators work from.

State approval is not the same as accreditation. Approval is an administrative status with LDOE. Accreditation comes from an outside body, such as a regional accreditor or a diocesan school office. A school can have one without the other, so ask about both. Approval status can matter for state programs, including the Louisiana Scholarship Program and some graduate benefits. Confirm it with LDOE instead of relying on a brochure or website.

Louisiana law generally requires children to attend school between ages 7 and 18. Families can meet that requirement through a public school, an approved nonpublic school or an approved home study program. Private schools must also follow state immunization rules and are subject to health and fire safety inspections. Expect any school to ask for your child's vaccination record at enrollment.

One naming point helps when you browse. Louisiana is divided into parishes, not counties. Our directory uses the word "County" in page addresses for every area, so the Orleans County page covers Orleans Parish and the Jefferson Parish County page covers Jefferson Parish.

Catholic, Christian and Montessori Schools Across Louisiana

Catholic schools form the backbone of private education in the state, especially in the southern half. Louisiana has the Archdiocese of New Orleans plus six dioceses: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and Houma-Thibodaux. Each has a Catholic schools office that sets general policies. Individual parish schools and high schools still set their own tuition, admissions dates and calendars.

Our listings include well-known Catholic high schools. Examples are Archbishop Hannan High School in Covington, Pope John Paul II Catholic High School in Slidell, Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette, Holy Savior Menard Central High School in Alexandria and Saint Charles Catholic High School in Laplace. Elementary options include St Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Kenner, Saint Rosalie School in Harvey, Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School in Mandeville, Redemptorist Catholic School in Crowley and Holy Cross Elementary School in St. Mary Parish.

Protestant and nondenominational schools are common too, and many are tied to a single congregation. The database includes Houma Christian School, Eternity Christian Academy in Lake Charles, Harvest Time Christian Academy in Abbeville, Amite Christian School in Denham Springs, Ascension Christian High School in Gonzales, Word of God Academy in Shreveport and Conquering Word Christian Academy in Marrero. Atonement Lutheran Church & School in Metairie and Emmanuel SDA School in Hammond represent other denominations.

Some schools follow a specific teaching method or have no religious affiliation. Wildflower Montessori School in Ruston is one example, and Elmwood Park Academy in Gretna is another listing. Grade ranges differ widely. Some schools cover only pre-K through eighth grade, and others run through twelfth. Always check which grades a school actually serves before you tour.

Metro Areas vs. Rural Parishes: Where Louisiana's Private Schools Cluster

Private schools gather where the population is. Jefferson Parish County has the largest share of our listings, spread across Metairie, Marrero, Harvey, Kenner and Gretna. Across the river, Orleans County has a dense mix of Catholic, independent and church-based schools. The New Orleans public system changed dramatically after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and is now mostly charter-run, so families there often compare private options with charter choices.

North of Lake Pontchartrain, St. Tammany County has a strong cluster in Covington, Slidell and Mandeville. Many families there choose a school based on the commute along I-12 or I-10. In the capital region, East Baton Rouge Parish County anchors the search. Families in suburban Ascension and Livingston parishes, including Gonzales and Denham Springs, often cross parish lines to attend school.

Rural Louisiana looks different. In places like Crowley (Acadia), Abbeville (Vermilion) and New Iberia (Iberia), a family may have only one or two nearby private options. Distance matters more than a long list of choices. Many private schools do not run bus routes the way public districts do, so ask about transportation, carpools and before-care and after-care early on.

Smaller cities such as Ruston, Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles and Houma tend to have a handful of established schools. Most are tied to a church or diocese. Their enrollment can be modest, so contacting the office directly is often faster than looking for an online application portal.

Paying for Private School in Louisiana

Each school sets its own tuition. Diocesan and church schools often publish a tuition schedule and may discount for parishioners or for additional children. Independent schools usually have separate application, registration and technology fees. Ask for a complete list of yearly costs, including uniforms, books and activity charges.

The Louisiana Scholarship Program is the state's best-known aid program. It pays tuition at participating nonpublic schools for eligible students, and eligibility has been tied to family income and, in many cases, the student's public school. It began in New Orleans and expanded statewide in 2012. Lawmakers have since passed legislation creating a broader education savings account program. Rules, deadlines and funding levels are changing, so check the LDOE website for the current year before you apply.

Louisiana also offers a state income tax deduction for certain K-12 education expenses, which can include private school tuition. Ask a tax preparer or the Louisiana Department of Revenue how it applies to your situation. Schools themselves often provide need-based financial aid, and you usually apply for it at the same time as admission.

Steps to Take Before You Tour a Louisiana School

A little preparation saves weeks. These steps work for nearly any school in the state:

Admissions timing varies. Many Catholic and independent schools open applications in the winter for the following fall, and popular high schools may require entrance testing or an interview. Small church schools often enroll through the summer. Visit during a normal school day if you can, so you see classrooms and student behavior, not just a prepared tour.

Private schools in Louisiana are licensed and regulated by the state's department of education, which sets minimum standards for safety, curriculum, and accreditation while allowing institutions significant freedom in operations and admissions. Louisiana may also offer education savings account or voucher programs that provide public funding assistance to eligible families attending private schools.

Private Schools locations are available in 105 cities across Louisiana. They are spread across 50 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration of private schools include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Metairie, reflecting larger population centers where demand for diverse educational options tends to support a wider range of private school institutions.

Families in Louisiana exploring private school options should contact each school's admissions office to request a prospectus, schedule a tour, and learn about financial aid availability, as tuition and assistance programs vary significantly from one institution to the next.

Private Schools by Counties

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Families in Louisiana comparing private school options should check each school's accreditation status through the state department of education and request standardized test score data, graduation rates, and college placement outcomes. Many private schools in Louisiana hold open house events in the fall that are open to prospective families without an appointment.

Browse Private Schools by county across Louisiana to find the nearest location.

Using the Louisiana Listings: Call First, Then Visit

Each listing in our directory gives a school's name, street address, parish and phone number. Treat that as your starting point. Schools change principals, merge, relocate or close, especially small church-run programs, so a quick call confirms that the school is open and enrolling for the grade you need.

Start with the parish you live in, then widen the search. The Lafayette County page is a good example of a hub that pulls families in from nearby Acadiana towns, and Teurlings Catholic High School on Teurlings Drive is one of its better-known names. In north Louisiana, the Caddo Parish County page covers Shreveport, where Word of God Academy on Summer Grove Drive is listed. Other parishes, including Tangipahoa, Calcasieu, Rapides and Ouachita, also have their own pages with local schools.

When you call, ask the office for the grade range, the next open house date and the name of the person who handles admissions. If your child has an individualized education plan or other learning needs, say so at the start. Private schools are not required to offer the same services as public districts, and the answer is better to learn early.

Louisiana does not license private schools the way it licenses some other institutions, but the Louisiana Department of Education and BESE offer an approval process for nonpublic schools that follow their standards. Approval is voluntary, and it can affect eligibility for state programs. Accreditation through an outside agency or a diocese is a separate matter. Before enrolling, ask the school whether it is state approved and who accredits it, then verify the answer with LDOE. A school that cannot answer clearly deserves extra questions.

Most schools ask for a certified birth certificate, an immunization record that meets state requirements, and recent report cards or transcripts. Many also want standardized test scores and a records release so they can contact your child's previous school. Catholic schools often request a baptismal certificate for Catholic families, though non-Catholic students are commonly accepted too. Church-affiliated schools may ask for a pastor's reference. Requirements vary by school, so request the checklist when you call, and start gathering paperwork before the application deadline.

Yes, at participating schools. The Louisiana Scholarship Program has paid tuition for eligible students at approved nonpublic schools since it expanded statewide in 2012. Not every private school takes part, and each participating school sets its own number of seats. Lawmakers have also passed a broader education savings account program, and its rules and timeline are still developing. Check the LDOE website for current eligibility, application windows and the list of participating schools. Then ask the school directly whether it accepts scholarship students in your child's grade.

Louisiana has the Archdiocese of New Orleans and six dioceses: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and Houma-Thibodaux. Your location decides which one covers a school. For example, Archbishop Hannan High School in Covington and Pope John Paul II Catholic High School in Slidell fall within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Teurlings Catholic High School is in Lafayette. Each Catholic schools office provides general guidance, but tuition, admissions and calendars are handled by the individual school, so contact the school for specifics.

Hurricane season is a real planning factor in Louisiana, and storms such as Katrina in 2005 and Ida in 2021 closed schools for extended periods. Ask each school for its written closure policy. Useful questions include whether it offers remote learning, how it communicates during evacuations, whether tuition is adjusted after a long shutdown, and how makeup days are handled. Schools in Jefferson, Orleans, Terrebonne and other coastal parishes have usually had to build these plans, so they can explain them in detail.

Widen your search to the nearest larger town and ask about transportation. Our listings include schools in smaller communities such as Crowley, Abbeville, New Iberia, Ruston and Morgan City, and a school in the next parish may be only a short drive away. Many private schools do not run bus routes, so ask about carpools or drop-off arrangements. Also ask whether the school serves your child's full grade span, since some small schools end at eighth grade and you would need a separate high school plan.