FARGO,June 23,2025
New charter schools are coming to North Dakota
Parents in Fargo are looking forward to more school choice.
- North Dakota lawmakers approved charter schools in late April.
- The law goes into effect Aug. 1.
- The first charter schools could open in the fall of 2027.
For parents seeking alternatives to traditional public education,the advent of charter schools in North Dakota promises expanded options; actually,charter schools in North Dakota are slated to become part of the state’s public education system starting Aug. 1.
Legislature gives the green light
North Dakota joined 46 other states in approving public charter schools when Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed Senate Bill 2241 in late April.
Shelby Doyle, senior VP of policy and national partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, noted the irony of North Dakota’s neighbor, Minnesota, pioneering public charter schools over 30 years ago.
“I have always wondered, has North Dakota ever looked over that border and thought to themselves, ‘That’s fascinating,'” Doyle saeid.
what are the requirements?
Dale Wetzel of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction said the process to establish charter schools involves detailed timelines for public transparency and accountability.
While several teachers have made informal inquiries,Wetzel said no formal proposals are under review yet. The department doesn’t expect a charter school to open for the 2025-2026 school year.
Doyle anticipates the charter school timeline could “sneak up” on people. If the first schools open in the fall of 2027,the application process will begin in 2026.
Public charter schools are always open to the public and have no cost of admittance. They may be set up in community centers,strip malls,former retail stores and converted industrial or office spaces.
How charter schools work
Doyle said charter schools share similarities wiht traditional public schools. They have the same academic assessments, hire licensed teachers, and provide transportation.
However, charter schools are typically run by a third party with a performance contract with the state. While publicly funded and open to all students, they can differentiate their offerings by theme, focus, or learning style. Each school has its own self-reliant board.
Per-pupil state funding follows each student to their charter school. Doyle assured that public school districts would not likely see widespread disappearance because of charter schools.
Where charter schools already exist
Minnesota has more than 180 charter schools, making up over 7% of the K-12 student population, said Doyle. Most are in the Twin Cities, but they’re also in cities, rural areas, and Native American reservations.
The charter schools closest to Fargo-Moorhead are in Park Rapids and Alexandria. STEM, STEAM, and language immersion programs are popular choices. Charter schools often offer online or hybrid options,as well.
“There was a huge reshuffling nationwide in school choices overall during the pandemic, and that’s been something that stuck,” Doyle said.
Doyle believes charter schools will only be as good as the people in North Dakota make them. It will take real grassroots energy for these schools to start and to be successful.
parent’s perspective
Amber Vogel of Fargo is eager for charter schools to become an option for her daughter, abby, who enjoys the alternative learning style of Fargo Public Schools’ Self-Directed Academy but will attend South High School this fall.
“I don’t have any other high school options besides a traditional public school, which is crazy considering I live in the largest community in the state,” Vogel said.
Vogel hopes multiple charter schools emerge. “It gives families options to put their child in an environment that makes sense for them to learn in, so it’s all about choice for me,” she said.
chools are always open to the public and have no cost of admittance. They might potentially be set up in community centers,strip malls,former retail stores and converted industrial or office spaces.
Key Differences: Charter vs. Conventional Public Schools
While operating within the public education system,charter schools offer distinct features. They operate independently,managed by their own boards. Charter schools have the adaptability to design unique focuses and learning environments to cater to specialized interests. This includes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, arts-focused curricula, and other specialized learning approaches. They also operate under a performance contract with the state, ensuring accountability for student outcomes.
Traditional public schools,conversely,follow a more standardized approach within the district,serving a wider range of students and adhering to district-wide policies and curricula. Traditional schools also generally have a defined geographical boundary for student enrollment,whereas charter schools may have more open enrollment policies.
Possible benefits of charter schools
Charter schools can provide various benefits to students and the overall education landscape.
- Choice and variety: Charter schools offer parents and students more choices in educational settings. They allow them to select schools aligned with their specific learning styles, interests, or needs.
- Innovation: charter schools often encourage innovation by trying out new teaching methods, curricula, and organizational models.If successful, these innovations could influence broader education practices.
- Specialization: Many charter schools focus on specific areas, such as STEM, arts, or dual-language programs. Such focus offers focused education for children with specific interests.
- Flexibility and Responsiveness: Charter schools have greater autonomy in decision-making compared to traditional public schools. This flexibility enables them to respond more quickly to the needs of students and the community.
What to expect next?
as the state rolls out its charter school framework, here’s what to watch for:
- application Process: The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction will establish a clear application process for those interested in starting a charter school. This process will likely define the criteria and requirements for approval.
- School Proposals: Expect to see proposals from different groups, including educators, community organizations, and entrepreneurs, who plan to establish charter schools.Proposals will showcase the school’s mission, curriculum, and operational plans.
- first Schools Opening: The first charter schools in North Dakota may open in the fall of 2027, if the process moves as planned.
The introduction of charter schools in North Dakota marks a pivotal moment. Charter schools could significantly shape the state’s educational landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions about North Dakota charter schools.
Are charter schools free?
Yes, charter schools are public schools and thus are tuition-free. They receive public funding on a per-pupil basis, much like traditional public schools.
Do charter schools have the same standards as public schools?
Yes, charter schools in North Dakota will need to meet the same academic standards and assessment requirements as other public schools. They are also required to employ licensed teachers.
What types of specialized programs can I expect?
Charter schools can focus on specialized areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the arts, or language immersion.The specific offerings will depend on the individual school’s focus and mission.
How will charter schools affect traditional public schools?
It’s crucial to understand that public schools have resources to compete with any new schools. State officials suggest that most schools will not see widespread disappearance because of new charter schools.
