North Dakota School Choice
North Dakota school choice currently includes public charter school authorization (effective 2025), career and technical education centers, and open enrollment. The state does not fund private school tuition—there are no voucher programs, ESAs as yet, or tax‑credit scholarships. A proposed income-based ESA program was vetoed in April 2025.
Program Types & Funding Mechanism
- Public School Options
- Charter Schools: Authorized in 2025 under a new state law, North Dakota will begin operating public charter schools pending rulemaking and implementation by the state education department.
- Vocational–Technical Centers (CTE): Regional career and technical education high schools offer programs supported by public funding across districts.
- Open Enrollment: Families may apply for students to attend public schools outside their assigned district, depending on space and district policy.
- Private School Funding
North Dakota does not provide public funding for private school tuition. Legislative proposals to create voucher or ESA programs have failed or been vetoed, including an income-based ESA bill in 2025.
Legislative & Historical Context
In 2025, North Dakota passed its first public charter school law, becoming one of the last states to authorize charters. These schools are expected to launch following development of state-level implementation rules. The same year, the legislature passed an income-based Education Savings Account bill designed to help qualifying families pay for private school tuition. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor and did not take effect. At present, North Dakota does not offer publicly funded private school choice, although future legislative interest remains possible.