Charter schools are schools that are publicly funded but independently run. This unique operation model sets charter schools apart from traditional public schools and gives them more freedom over things like curricula, staffing, and budgeting.
In our article “How Do Charter Schools Work?”, we covered the ins and outs of what charter schools are and how they differ from traditional public schools and private schools. However, specific charter school laws and regulations vary from state to state.
Charter schools have been the norm in New Orleans since 2005, when the city began rebuilding and reopening its schools after Hurricane Katrina. But many Louisiana parents—especially those who live outside of New Orleans—may have questions about the role charter schools play in the state’s education system.
Let’s take a closer look at how charter schools work in Louisiana.
History of Louisiana charter schools
Louisiana’s first charter school law was passed in 1995, around the same time that the charter school movement was gaining traction in other states around the country. This initial law established a charter school pilot program for eight school districts. The program was expanded to all Louisiana school districts in 1997, but there was still a cap on the total number of charter schools allowed to operate in the state.
In 2003, Louisiana created the Recovery School District (RSD), allowing the state to take control of low-performing public schools and convert them into charter schools.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, most schools in New Orleans were taken over by the RSD and converted to charter schools. In 2009, the state removed its charter school cap. By 2019, all public schools in New Orleans were charter schools—making New Orleans the first major U.S. city to follow an all-charter school model.
Today, most of Louisiana’s charter schools are located in New Orleans, but they are starting to become more common in other parts of the state, too.
How many students attend charter schools in Louisiana?
According to the latest data from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, there are approximately 146 charter schools in Louisiana, serving over 87,000 students. Approximately 46,000 of these students reside in the Orleans Parish School Board district, where charter school enrollment sits at 99.2%.
Statewide, approximately 13% of public school students in Louisiana are enrolled in charter schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
How are charter schools funded in Louisiana?
Just like any other public school, Louisiana charter schools are publicly funded. They are completely tuition-free.
The amount of state funding Louisiana charter schools receive is based on how many students are enrolled. Louisiana charter schools may also receive funding from local revenue sources such as sales taxes and property taxes.
How are charter schools in Louisiana held accountable?
Louisiana charter schools are held accountable by authorized public chartering agencies. Whenever a new charter school opens—or whenever a traditional public school is converted to a charter school—it is required to sign a contract with a local authorizer.
In Louisiana, charter schools are authorized by local school boards or by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Louisiana charter schools are categorized into different “types” depending on whether the school is new or converted and whether it is authorized by a school district or by the BESE. Specific laws regarding oversight and governance vary depending on the type of charter law.
That said, all Louisiana charter schools—no matter the type—are required to meet performance benchmarks laid out by their charter authorizer. Additionally, they need to meet all state academic standards. Due to this increased level of accountability, Louisiana charter schools often outperform the state’s traditional public schools.
How can you enroll in Louisiana charter schools?
Louisiana charter schools are tuition-free and open to everyone! As public schools, charter schools cannot restrict admission on the basis of academic achievement or any protected class.
Specific enrollment policies vary from school to school. In some cases, charter schools are only able to accept students who reside in specific school districts. If a traditional public school is converting to a charter school, they will give preference to students who were enrolled in the preexisting school. Be sure to reach out to the schools you’re interested in to learn more about their specific enrollment requirements.
At BASIS Baton Rouge Charter Schools, we proudly serve students residing in the East Baton Rouge Parish School District. All applicants apply via our online enrollment portal. If the number of applications received exceeds the number of available seats, we use a lottery and waitlist system to determine enrollment.
Learn more about BASIS Baton Rouge Charter Schools
BASIS Charter Schools operates two schools in Louisiana, both of them in Baton Rouge. BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City serves grades K–5 while BASIS Baton Rouge Materra serves grades K–12.
Our two Baton Rouge schools are open to all students residing in the East Baton Rouge Parish School District. Students follow the acclaimed BASIS Charter School Curriculum, building skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. In 2024, our Baton Rouge schools performed exceptionally well on the LEAP test—BASIS Baton Rouge Materra was the highest-performing open-enrollment school in Baton Rouge, and BASIS Baton Rouge Primary Mid City earned the highest year-over-year academic gains in Louisiana.
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For more information on different education options available for your family, download our guide, “A Parent’s Guide to School Choice.”
