Prior to 1989, the children of Grand Forks Air Force Base were educated by the city on a basis that had no legal foundation. Grand Forks Air Force Base was not in the city district and no contracts for education had been developed. This “good faith” loosely knit arrangement worked for thirty years but really deserved a more formal (and legal) support in dealing with state and federal finance and program issues. The 1989 Legislature passed legislation providing for the creation of military base school districts and, one month after, the law was enacted, Grand Forks Air Force Base leaders and citizens formally created the new district.

• One of the newest and most unique districts in the state of North Dakota.
• Not a D.O.D. school district
• Governed by the laws of the state of North Dakota as found in North Dakota Century Code
• Created in June of 1989, it is one of two coterminous (the school district has the same boundary lines as the Grand Forks Air Force Base) school districts in the state. Minot Air Force Base Public School District is the other coterminous school district in the state. Incidentally, there are only seven coterminous districts in the nation. In addition to Grand Forks Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base, three are in the San Antonio, Texas area, one is in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and one is in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.  

The Grand Forks and Grand Forks Air Force Base Public School Districts work together in a unique arrangement to serve approximately 7,400 students who attend schools in the two communities. Approximately 1,600 people are employed, including over 750 teachers and over 850 support and administrative staff. Two grades 9-12 high schools, one alternative high school, three grades 6-8 middle schools, 11 elementary schools, one combined elementary and middle school, and one Head Start Program comprise the arrangement of the schools.

The schools of the two districts expect and receive a strong performance from the students. This is possible because of a rich curriculum design led by highly qualified teachers - 65% have master's degrees and beyond. Parent and community support is strong and very instrumental in the success of the schools. Emphasis is given to lower class size, curriculum, staff qualifications, and student achievement. The result is 96%+ average daily attendance, well-behaved students, safe comfortable schools, and academic results that exceed those of the state and nation.

Education is a cooperative venture between parents, teachers, and administrators working toward the goal of the betterment of young people and the community. Family involvement is a key component in the success of our students.