Dyslexia Schools In Louisiana

When evaluating dyslexia-friendly schools in Louisiana, it's essential to apply a rigorous, multi-faceted approach to ensure that these institutions truly support students with dyslexia. Schools should be assessed based on their ability to offer specialized programs, trained staff, evidence-based teaching methods, and access to assistive technology.

In Louisiana, schools that are considered dyslexia-friendly often excel in these areas, providing a supportive environment that fosters academic and personal growth for students with dyslexia. 

By collaborating with experts, collecting data through surveys and observations, and validating findings with parents and educators, we can confidently recommend schools that genuinely meet the needs of dyslexic students. 

Continuous monitoring and feedback ensure that these recommendations remain relevant and effective, offering Louisiana families reliable guidance in choosing the right educational setting for their children.

This article will guide you through some of the top dyslexia-friendly schools in the area, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your child's education.

The schools recommended have been carefully evaluated based on their specialized programs, the dedication of their staff, and their use of proven teaching methods. 

We’ve spoken with parents, educators, and experts, and seen firsthand what works. The schools that made the list have shown a real commitment to helping students with dyslexia succeed, both academically and personally.

We want to make sure you have the information you need to choose a school where your child will feel supported, understood, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

What is the Percentage of Dyslexia Amongst Students In Louisiana?

• According to a dyslexia statistics summary, Louisiana ranks third in the U.S., with approximately 17% of students identified as having dyslexia.
  
  
• By comparison, Mississippi leads at 22% and Arkansas follows at 18%, while states like California (~10%) have lower rates .
  
  

• A report from Louisiana Key Academy (an expert dyslexia-focused school network) states that “in 2022, the number reported [by school districts] was less than 1% of the overall student population,” despite the expected prevalence being near 20% .
  
  
• This discrepancy indicates possible under-identification or delays in diagnosing dyslexia following screening in many schools.

Sources : (225batonrouge.com) (ambitionsaba.com)

Legislation and Policies for Dyslexia In Louisiana

1. Statutory Foundation

Defines dyslexia as “unexpected difficulty in reading… most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing.”

• Requires statewide universal screening with approved tools (AUC ≥ 0.80), offered free to schools and administered in late kindergarten or upon request (legis.la.gov).
  
  
• Mandates parent notification within 30 days if screening indicates risk (legis.la.gov).
  
  
• Obliges public school governing bodies to report annually on the number of identified dyslexic students to the state Department of Education (legis.la.gov).
  
  

2. Administrative Regulations: Bulletin 1903, Chapter 9

• Schools must screen every K–3 student at least once, unless parents opt-out (improvingliteracy.org).
  
  
• Evaluations look for ≥ 5 out of 6 key indicators (e.g. phonological awareness, decoding errors, poor spelling) (sreb.org).
  
  
• Schools are required to employ multisensory, structured literacy interventions for diagnosed students via a State Board–approved program (sreb.org).
  
  
• Professional development for teachers and administrators is compulsory to ensure they can identify dyslexia and implement interventions (sreb.org).
  
  

3. Recent Legislation (2023–2024)

• House Bill 69 (Act 266)
  
  
  • Codified mandatory screening and diagnostic follow-up protocols for early identification of dyslexia at K–3.
    
    
  • Requires reporting and standardized procedures statewide (stateofdyslexia.org).
    
    

• Senate Bill 336 (Act 517)
  
  
  • Mandates additional diagnostic testing after initial risk screening.
    
    
  • Parents may select providers from a state-approved list and are eligible for reimbursement (stateofdyslexia.org).
    
    
• Senate Bill 72 (Act 499)
  
  
  • Allows students with dyslexia to opt out of standard K–3 literacy screenings, replacing them with alternative fluency and speech assessments, pending federal approval (stateofdyslexia.org).
    
    
• Senate Bill 440 (Act 525)
  
  
  • Established a “Dyslexia Fund” with $2 million initial allocation to cover costs of dyslexia assessments (stateofdyslexia.org).
    
    

• Senate Bill 222 (2021) & House Bill 136 (2022)
  
  
  • Required teacher preparation programs to include ≥ 3 credit hours on dyslexia detection and multisensory structured literacy (stateofdyslexia.org).
    
    
• Act No. 622 (2022 – HB 416)
  
  
  • Strengthened universal screening requirements under R.S. 17:392.1 and expanded them (dyslegia.com, dyslegia.com).
    
    

4. Teacher Certification & Training

• All K–3 educators must complete a Literacy Foundation Training, which includes dyslexia fundamentals.
  
  
• Aspiring teachers must complete ≥ 3 credit hours on dyslexia-specific content (2022–2024 requirements) .
  
  

What Type of School Is Best For a Dyslexic?

The ideal schools are the ones where students can learn without all that unnecessary stress weighing them down.

Plus, these schools are all about recognizing the unique strengths that come with dyslexia, like creativity and thinking big-picture.

If your kid has a special interest, whether it's engineering, chess, music, or anything else under the sun, these schools give them the time and space to chase their passions.

Forget about just hunting for "reading programs" right away because, believe it or not, dyslexic students often thrive when their reading lessons align with their interests.

Now, here's the deal: if your child isn't loving school and isn't coming home all pumped up about learning, it might be time to explore other options. And guess what? That's perfectly okay – even awesome.

You can take your child out of a place that doesn't fit, even if you don't have the next school lined up right away. It's a powerful message to your child that you're in their corner and ready to support them.

Let them take a breather, catch up on some sleep, and in the meantime, you can figure out the next steps together.

Looking for learning difference/dyslexia friendly schools? Here are some must ask questions to help you pick the right dyslexia friendly school for your child.

Before attending your meeting, do a bit of background research. The more you know about dyslexia, teacher education programs and intervention programs, the more targeted you can be with your questions and the better you will understand the answers.

Support Services for Students with Dyslexia in Louisiana

Statewide Legislation & School Mandates

• Mandatory early screening, structured intervention & teacher training
  Louisiana law requires that all K–3 students undergo early literacy screening within the first 30 days. Students flagged are further assessed, provided structured, multisensory instruction, and accommodated under Section 504 or as a specific learning disability (SLD) under IDEA (caddoschools.org, stateofdyslexia.org).
  
  
• Recent legislation boosting dyslexia support
  
  
  • House Bill 69 (2023) mandates consistent screening and diagnosis protocols .
    
    
  • Senate Bill 440 (2024) established a dedicated Dyslexia Fund to support assessment costs.
    
    
  • Senate Bill 336 (2024) expands follow-up testing and parent-involved evaluations .
    These laws underline strong commitment from the state towards dyslexia identification and support.
    
    
• Teacher preparation and certification
  Louisiana requires K–3 teachers to undergo specific “Literacy Foundation” training and at least 18 hours focused on dyslexia, ADHD, and screening tools. Teacher-education programs must also include coursework in dyslexia and structured literacy methods.
  (stateofdyslexia.org)

School District & 504/IEP Navigation

• Caddo Parish Public Schools
  Districts employ a Structured Building-Level Committee (SBLC)/504 process. After evaluation, students with dyslexia are placed in tiered intervention—ranging from in-class multisensory instruction to elective courses or transfers to dyslexia centers with Carnegie credit options (caddoschools.org).
  
  
• Individualized plans
  Students qualifying for Section 504 or an IEP receive documented accommodations. These include extended testing time, preferential seating, peer‑note takers—all guided by a qualified team and periodically reviewed (caddoschools.org).
  
  

Statewide & Regional Support

• International Dyslexia Association – Louisiana branch
  A well-established volunteer organization (founded in 1987) providing research-based awareness, workshops, conferences, and a network for educators and families (la.dyslexiaida.org).
  
  
• Greater Baton Rouge Learning Disabilities Coalition (GBRLDC)
  Active since 2014, it connects parents and professionals through conferences, advocacy, networking, and professional development—also collaborating with statewide entities (ldhelp.org).
  
  
• Nicholls State University Center
  Offers screening, remediation, training for educators at district and school levels, and supports paraprofessional development with best-in-class literacy intervention techniques (nicholls.edu).
  
  
• Dyslexia Resource Center (Baton Rouge)
  Provides screening/testing, teacher training, and partners with Louisiana Key Academy—the state’s only charter school dedicated exclusively to students with dyslexia. This partnership is endorsed by the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity (dyslexia1n5.com).
  
  

Specialized Educational Programs & Schools

• Masonic Lodge Dyslexia Training Program
  A free, multi‑sensory phonics program for grades 3–11. It’s instructor-led, lasts at least two years, and requires a formal dyslexia diagnosis and IQ ≥ 90 (la-mason.com).
  
  
• Louisiana Key Academy
  A free public charter school focused on early grades, praised by local families as a transformative environment for dyslexic students.
  
  
• Private schools serving dyslexia
  
  
  • Brighton School (K–12) specializes in dyslexia and related learning differences (ldhelp.org).
    
    
  • University View Academy (formerly Louisiana Connections Academy): accredited K–12 online/hybrid, offering dual enrollment (ldhelp.org).
    
    
• College-level supports
  Institutions like Nicholls State and Baton Rouge Community College offer accommodations planning and dyslexia programming through their Offices of Student Disabilities (ldhelp.org).
  
  

Assistive Technology & Tutoring

• Learning Ally
  An audiobook-based nonprofit that supports ~39,300 Louisiana students, offering audiobooks, teacher training, and support tools—reported to significantly boost reading growth (learningally.org).
  
  
• Tutoring & tech tools
  Parents on r/BatonRouge recommend centers like Brighton and Key Academy; evidence supports 30-minute, multisensory tutoring sessions, and assistive fonts or “read‑back” pens (reddit.com).
  
  

Best Dyslexia schools In Louisiana

1. The Brighton School (Baton Rouge)

What it offers: A private school exclusively for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, using multisensory, evidence-based instruction along with targeted therapy and executive function training (thebrightonschool.org).

Reputation highlight: Operating since 1972, it’s widely praised by families for boosting confidence and academic achievement through individualized support .

2. MAX Charter School (Thibodaux, on Nicholls campus)

What it offers: A public charter school (grades 1–8) dedicated to students with dyslexia and related learning differences; faculty receive specialized training and the school is approved by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education .

Reputation highlight: Parent survey shows 97.4% attribute their child’s academic progress to MAX, and 94% would recommend the school.

3–5. Louisiana Key Academy (LKA) – 3 Campuses (Baton Rouge, Covington, Shreveport)

What it offers: Free, public K–8 charter schools (expanding upward) with evidence-based, dyslexia-focused curriculum and IMSLEC recognition.

Reputation highlight: Frequently recommended by families (e.g., via Baton Rouge Reddit), noted for impressive campus and growing enrollment.

6. Louisiana Center for Dyslexia & Related Learning Disorders (Nicholls State University, Thibodaux)

What it offers: College-age support with tutoring, accommodations, specialized advising, plus evaluation/assessment services for all ages .

Reputation highlight: Recognized in 2017 as one of the top-10 U.S. dyslexia support programs for its cost-effective comprehensive services.

7. Dyslexia Resource Center (Baton Rouge)

What it offers: A central hub providing testing, tutoring, teacher training, screenings, and support, endorsing national standards.

Reputation highlight: Self-branded as “#1 hub for scientifically proven dyslexia resources in Louisiana,” in partnership with LKA.

8. Ruston Dyslexia School (Ruston)

What it offers: A new campus opening for the 2025–26 school year aimed at K–12 students with dyslexia.

Reputation highlight: Its launch signals growing access in northern Louisiana and increases statewide options .

9. The Dunham School (Baton Rouge)

What it offers: Independent K–12 school with a McKay Academic Center specialized for learners who learn differently.

Reputation highlight: Known for academic excellence and recognized as an Apple Distinguished School, it provides inclusive support for students with diverse learning needs .

10. Local Public Magnet & Charter Programs

While not dyslexia-dedicated schools, many public magnet programs across the state provide robust special education services, IEPs, and 504 Plans in reading support.

For example, Reddit users in Baton Rouge cite Brighton and LKA as standout options while recommending exploring local public options via school districts as well.