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 is required prior to implementation of any of these changes to ensure compliance with North Dakota Century Code and applicable administrative rules.
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
Public School Consolidation or 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 may result in compliance issues and delays. Questions about which form to submit or the approval process can be directed to the NDDPI before submitting an application.