2025-26 Nonpublic Schools Applications for BESE Approval

Classification Accreditation Information and Applicant Questionnaires

The accreditation status of all nonpublic schools is made public on the LDOE website. Additionally, any school wishing to begin participating in a state scholarship program must be accredited or provisionally accredited by one of the approved entities in R.S. 17:4021. Schools that are NOT accredited will be required to complete a new or returning applicant questionnaire.
Bulletin 741 Nonpublic:

Classification Categories. Schools shall be classified according to the following categories:

1. Approved ―school meets all standards specified in standards for approval of nonpublic schools. There shall be two types of approved schools:

a. Accredited Approved school is currently accredited by:

            i. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); or

            ii. A member the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS); and

            iii. The diocese or archdiocese in which the school is located; or

  iv. Cognia

v. The LDOE may also accept accreditation from other school accreditation agencies, but may require that the school submit additional information or documentation to ensure consistent quality.

vi. The school meets all other criteria for (BESE) Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with this part.

b. Non-Accredited Approved school—school is not currently accredited by SACS or a member of NAIS, but has met all criteria established by this bulletin for approval;

c. Louisiana Montessori Accredited Approved school—school meets the Louisiana Montessori Association’s accreditation requirements and all other approval criteria established by this bulletin for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approval;

d. Louisiana Montessori Provisionally Accredited Approved school—school is working toward meeting the Louisiana Montessori Association’s accreditation requirements and has met all other approval criteria established by this bulletin for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approval;

2. Registered―school is not accredited by SACS or NAIS and has not met the criteria established by the department for approval, or does not wish to seek state approval.

Accredited schools shall be approved by BESE for the duration of such accreditation, up to five years. BESE approval shall be reviewed in the school year following the renewal of such accreditation. Each accredited, approved school shall annually demonstrate to the LDOE that the school meets the health, safety, and welfare requirements as established in this bulletin. Additionally, each accredited, approved high school shall annually demonstrate to the LDOE that it is providing an appropriate four year course of study.

The LDOE shall conduct an annual review of Non-Accredited schools seeking approval, and shall recommend to BESE whether such approval should be granted. Any such LDOE review may include site visits, and shall include a review of the following:

1.         academic quality, including:

a.         the school’s purpose and direction;

b.         the school’s leadership;

c.         the school’s instructional practices;

d.         the school’s curriculum; and

2.         student health, safety, and welfare, pursuant to the guidelines established in this bulletin.
Select your school's level of accreditation:*
If your school is Accredited or Provisionally Accredited upload your letter of accreditation (letter from the accrediting entity)*

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Accredited by*
Copy and paste this link into your browser to view all relevant accrediting agencies:

NPS Approval Process: Accreditation Organizations
On what date does your school's accreditation expire?*

MonthDayYear
Date
If your school is non-accredited, copy and paste this link into a new tab in your browser to download the Returning Applicant Questionnaire:

Nonpublic School Approval Questionnaire: Returning Applicant
Upload the Returning Applicant Questionnaire

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If your school is non-accredited, copy and paste this link into a new tab in your browser to download the New Applicant Questionnaire:

Nonpublic School Approval Questionnaire: New Applicants
Upload your New Applicant Questionnaire

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State Fire Marshal and Department of Health & Hospitals (DHH) Inspection Report Information

This section collects the most updated City or State Fire Marshal and Department of Health & Hospital's information. ALL CITY OR STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND DHH INSPECTION REPORTS MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE PAST CALENDAR YEAR TO BE CONSIDERED CURRENT.
Upload the school's State Fire Marshal Inspection Report. (City and State Fire Marshal Inspection Reports are accepted)*

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Enter the exact date of your most recent City or State Fire Marshal Inspection Report. *

MonthDayYear
Ensure the year listed is correct
Upload the school's state inspection reports from the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH).*

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Enter the exact date of your most recent school inspection report from DHH.*

MonthDayYear
Ensure the year listed is correct
Brumfield v. Dodd

Nonpublic schools seeking state and federal funds must comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of Brumfield v. Dodd. Brumfield v. Dodd approval verifies that schools are not racially segregated or do not use racially discriminatory policies and practices. Schools seeking Brumfield v. Dodd approval must complete the Brumfield v. Dodd Application.

Application forms must be completed, notarized and returned along with a copy of the school's Articles of Incorporation (as on file with the secretary of State's Office), and proof of the school's policy of non-discrimination (as ad appeared in a public notice, such as a newspaper advertisement).

Brumfield v. Dodd applications are reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice. State-approved nonpublic schools found to be Brumfield vs. Dodd compliant are recommended for approval to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) during regularly scheduled Board meetings.

Annually, nonpublic schools must submit a Brumfield v. Dodd Compliance Report in order to maintain eligibility for state and federal funding.

For more information please contact nonpublicschools@la.gov.
Brumfield v. Dodd - Compliance Report

Schools wishing to continue their Brumfield v. Dodd approval status must submit an annual compliance report. Schools seeking state or federal funding or participating in a scholarship program must complete this section.
Brumfield v. Dodd Annual Compliance Report
Upload your Brumfield v. Dodd Compliance Report*

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Copy and paste this link into your browser for guidelines on your nondiscriminatory policy:

Guidelines for Public Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policies
Upload your nondiscriminatory policy*

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Describe in detail the efforts made by your school to publicize its nondiscriminatory admissions policy, including newspaper advertisements, copies of any brochures or similar publications, and a description of other efforts to inform minorities of the school and its program. Please include details on where and when these efforts were published or distributed. *
Attach documentation supporting the efforts described in the previous question. This submission should include copies of newspaper articles, screenshots or saved files of brochures, etc.*

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Brumfield v. Dodd - Initial Application

Schools wishing to apply for federal Brumfield v. Dodd approval must submit an application for review by the LDOE and the United States Department of Justice. Complete applications will be submitted by the LDOE to the USDOJ. Schools seeking state or federal funding or participating in a scholarship program MUST complete this section.
New schools applying for BESE approval upload the Initial Application found here:

Brumfield v. Dodd Initial Application
Upload your Brumfield v. Dodd Initial Application:*

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Copy and paste this link into your browser for guidelines on your nondiscriminatory policy:

Guidelines for Public Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policies
Upload your nondiscriminatory policy:*

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Attach copies of all notices in all newspapers, brochures, catalogues, or printed advertisements appearing or prepared at the time the school was first opened and during the past school year.*

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Staff Requirements
Initial here to certify that all adults with supervisory authority over children have received a satisfactory background check conducted by the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This includes administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, janitors, or any temporary, part-time, or permanent school employees. *

Clear
Use your mouse or trackpad to enter your initials. To erase and attempt again, click on the CLEAR link.
Initial here to certify that you understand the Louisiana Department of Education may request proof that the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Investigation (LBCI) background checks have been conducted on any site visits made to your school.*

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Initial here to certify that the school principal meets the certification requirements outlined in Bulletin 741 Nonpublic.*

Clear
Initial here to certify that you understand the provisions of Act 409 instituting licensure for programs serving 3 and 4-year-old students in nonpublic schools. Schools must apply for licensure no later than January 1, 2026*

Clear
Initial here to certify that all relevant staff members meet the requirements to teach outlined in Section 303 of BESE Bulletin 741 Nonpublic.*

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To download a copy of Bulletin 741 Nonpublic, click here: https://bese.louisiana.gov/policy
Certification and Submission
Full name of the person completing this form:*
Enter the email address of the person completing this form:*
SIGNATURE: I certify that I have permission to submit this information from the leader of my school and that the information submitted in this form is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that submitting information that is inaccurate may result in my school not receiving BESE approval or having its BESE approval status revoked.*

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Use your mouse or trackpad to enter your signature. To erase and attempt again, click on the CLEAR link.
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Classification Accreditation Information and Applicant Questionnaires

If your school is non-accredited, copy and paste this link into a new tab in your browser to download the Returning Applicant Questionnaire:

State Fire Marshal and Department of Health & Hospitals (DHH) Inspection Report Information

Brumfield v. Dodd - Compliance Report

Brumfield v. Dodd - Initial Application

Staff Requirements

Certification and Submission