As a parent, you want your child to have every opportunity to succeed—whether that means getting into a good college, starting a promising career, or simply finding courses that spark their interest. Louisiana’s Course Choice program, also known as the Supplemental Course Academy (SCA), helps students do just that by offering classes beyond what’s available at their home public school.

This program has been around since 2012, allowing public school students to take extra courses in areas like college credit classes, career training, ACT prep, and foreign languages. These courses are taught by nearly 40 approved providers and can be taken online or in person, giving students the flexibility to learn in a way that works for them. The full listing of providers and course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year can be viewed here.

 

What’s Changing for the 2025-2026 School Year?

Thanks to a new state law passed last year, Louisiana is making important updates to the Course Choice program, ensuring that parents have a bigger say in their child’s education. Some of the key changes include:

✔ Stronger Parental Involvement: Schools must get written permission from parents before enrolling a student in a Course Choice class. This ensures that parents are actively involved in their child’s education decisions.

✔ Clearer Funding Priorities: The state will focus funding on courses that provide TOPS-aligned college credits, career and technical education, test prep for national exams, and academic recovery options for students who need extra support.

✔ More Transparency: Schools will be required to share full, clear information with parents about all available courses and funding options, making it easier to find the best choices for your child.

 

Why Does This Matter for Your Child?

For many students, especially in smaller or less-resourced schools, certain classes simply aren’t available. The Course Choice program helps level the playing field, allowing all students to access high-quality learning opportunities—no matter where they live.

If your child is interested in healthcare, they can take medical courses that prepare them for future careers. If they want to boost their chances for college admissions, they can enroll in advanced classes that aren’t offered at their school. And if they need extra help in a subject, they can take courses designed to help them catch up.

The best part? It’s flexible. Many of these courses can be taken online, making it easier to fit them into your child’s schedule.

 

What You Can Do as a Parent

With these changes, parents play a bigger role than ever in shaping their child’s education. Here’s how you can get involved:

✅ Talk to Your Child’s School: Ask about Course Choice options, which classes are available, and how funding works.

✅ Help Your Child Choose Wisely: Think about their future goals—whether that’s college, a trade, or another path—and pick courses that align with those plans.

✅ Stay Informed: Schools are now required to share more information, so be sure to check for updates and deadlines.

Louisiana’s Course Choice program is all about giving students more opportunities and more choices—and now, parents have a bigger voice in the process. If you’re looking for ways to help your child get ahead, this program could be the perfect fit.

Learn more by visiting the Louisiana Department of Education’s Course Choice webpage and accessing parent resources regarding this important program for Louisiana’s students!