Starting a Private School in North Dakota
Regulations, Resources, & Support
Our team has curated the best resources and information available about starting a private school in North Dakota. Enjoy!
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See what else you need to know about starting a private school. From your curriculum to your marketing, and everything in-between.
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North Dakota State Regulations
General Regulations
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Accreditation is optional and there are no requirements for registration or licensing. All elementary and secondary schools must be approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
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The US Office of Innovation & Improvement has assembled a summary of regulations for private schools operating in North Dakota.
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Homeschooled students must be taught by their parents.
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The North Dakota DPI has no published requirements for school insurance — consult a professional for guidance in this area.
State Funding Sources & Support
North Dakota does not provide funding for private education.
Curriculum Requirements
The state has extensive curriculum guidelines that are part of the approval process but include English language arts, math, social studies, including courses on US and North Dakota history and politics, science, physical education, health, fine arts, and career and technical education.
Teacher Certification & Hiring
All teachers must be licensed or certified to teach and have majored in the grade level or subject area they teach.
Food Services / Lunch
In North Dakota, school lunch requirements, including funding for schools offering the National School Lunch Program, are managed by the Department of Public Instruction.
Length of School Year
Students must receive at least 175 full days of instruction.
Recordkeeping & Reports
Private schools must keep records and report on student age, enrollment status, and immunization records. Schools are also responsible for requesting student academic records from their previous schools.
Healthy & Safety Requirements
The school must be inspected once every 3 years by the state fire marshal. Schools are required to conduct fire, tornado, and lockdown drills. Each school must have a bullying policy in place.
Transportation
Nonpublic school students may receive transportation to school on public school buses running on public school routes if authorized by the local school board, and if passenger room is available.
Testing
Nonpublic school grade 11 students must take the ACT, including the writing test, or three WorkKeys assessments recommended by the career and technical education department and approved by the superintendent of instruction, who is responsible for the cost of securing and then administering the test.
Helping Educators Do the Work That Matters
North Dakota State Resources
State & Regional Associations
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North Dakota South East Education Cooperative: An organization that strives to provide visionary leadership and quality services to strengthen teaching and learning for member schools.
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North Dakota Homeschool Association: The association is dedicated to bringing visitors up-to-date homeschooling information for North Dakota
Government Websites
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Guide Quick-Nav
Introduction
We’ve developed these 10 topics to help you along the way. Take them all in at once, or start with the areas most relevant right now.
School Identity
There’s plenty you can do to develop your own brand, starting right from your personal ideals and goals for your school.
Curriculum
Our curriculum pages include ideas on where to go to find materials, and different associations and educational models you may want to consider.
Legal & Operating Requirements
You need to know the requirements at both the federal level and for your state. Here are the basic details for every state.
Funding & Finance
Here we share ideas for possible funding sources, and ways you might be able to start with less than you thought necessary.
Business Plan & Budget
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Facilities
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.
Staffing
How can you find and recruit the right talent for your school? What qualifications or certifications are required?
Policies & Procedures
Thinking about more than just a student handbook and conduct code, we've included recommendations & templates to help you develop your school policies & procedures
Marketing & Online Presence
Having a plan for how you’ll operate and a budget to predict and allocate funds is critical for all businesses, schools included. We’ve pulled together resources here to help with both.
Associations
What facilities are right for your school? We encourage new schools to get creative, and have compiled some considerations to take into account.