The NDDPI is responsible for approving all public and nonpublic schools operating in the state of North Dakota. All public and nonpublic schools must receive approval from NDDPI before taking any of the following actions:
Opening a new school
Closing a school
Reconfiguring grade levels
Changing a school name
Consolidating with another school or district
Approval must be obtained before implementing any of these changes to ensure compliance with North Dakota Century Code and all applicable administrative rules. Completed approval forms must be submitted to the Office of School Approval & Opportunity by April 1 prior to the start of the upcoming school year with no exceptions.
School Approval Forms
This page contains the required approval forms for the following circumstances:
- Public School Initial Approval Form – New School Opening
- Nonpublic School Initial Approval Form – New School Opening
For brand new public or nonpublic schools seeking approval to open in North Dakota.
- Public School Change Request – Grade Reconfiguration or Name Change
- Nonpublic School Change Request – Grade Reconfiguration or Name Change
For existing schools requesting approval to:Add or remove grade levels
Change the school’s official name
Nonpublic School Closure
For schools planning to consolidate with another school or permanently close.
Schools should submit the appropriate form as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and approval.
Operating a school or implementing changes without prior approval from NDDPI is prohibited and may result in the school being considered non‑approved and operating in violation of state law. Questions about which form to submit or the approval process can be directed to the NDDPI before submitting an application.