What are North Dakota's high school graduation requirements?

North Dakota requires 22 credits for a standard diploma. Core requirements include 4 in English, 3 in math (through Algebra II or equivalent for NDUS admission), 3 in science (including physical science and biology), 3 in social studies (including ND Studies), and electives. The NDUS Minimum Admission Requirements (MAR) are slightly more demanding than the state graduation minimum and are relevant for families planning on ND university enrollment.

What college prep information is most important for ND high school newsletters?

Cover NDUS admission requirements and deadlines, the NDUS scholarship opportunities (Presidential and Valley Family Foundation scholarships vary by campus), FAFSA deadlines, North Dakota's Indian Scholarship Program (for enrolled members of recognized tribes), and dual credit opportunities. Many ND high schools have strong dual credit partnerships with NDSU, UND, Bismarck State, or NDSCS. Families whose students are taking dual credit courses need clear information about how grades are recorded and how credits transfer.

How do I address career and technical education in ND high school newsletters?

North Dakota's CTE programs are strong in agriculture, energy technology, healthcare, and construction. If your school offers CTE pathways, mention the credentials students can earn, how they appear on transcripts, and how they connect to ND's labor market. North Dakota has one of the country's lowest unemployment rates, and skilled trades credentials from ND high school CTE programs carry real labor market value. Many ND families prefer these pathways over four-year college, and a newsletter that presents them as substantive options signals respect for those choices.

How does North Dakota's small-district context affect high school newsletter content?

In small ND districts, a high school may have only 50-100 total students. Teachers often know families personally. A newsletter in this context serves primarily to document communication and reach families who are harder to access informally -- farm and ranch families during busy seasons, oil field families on rotating schedules. Keep it personal and community-specific rather than generic; reference local events and ND-specific opportunities rather than national college prep advice.

What newsletter tool works for ND high school teachers?

Daystage is a practical choice for small ND high schools because it requires no IT setup and can be managed by a single teacher. The scheduling feature ensures newsletters go out on schedule even during weather events or especially busy teaching weeks. For departments in larger ND high schools, a shared department newsletter using Daystage's template system standardizes communication across multiple teachers.

North Dakota High School Newsletter Guide for

North Dakota high school teachers work in a state where many students face a genuine choice between staying in North Dakota for college or work and leaving for opportunities elsewhere. Your newsletter can help families understand the real opportunities available to ND graduates -- particularly the NDUS scholarship programs and the strong ND labor market -- and can document the consistent communication your evaluation framework requires. Here is how to build one that serves ND families well.

ND Graduation Requirements and NDUS Admission

North Dakota's 22-credit graduation requirement is the minimum floor. Families who plan on ND University System enrollment need to know the NDUS Minimum Admission Requirements, which include four years of English, three of math (including Algebra II or higher), three of laboratory science, three of social studies, one of fine arts or career and technical education, and one of a world language (recommended, sometimes required depending on the NDUS campus). A student who meets the state graduation minimum but not the NDUS MAR may need to complete remedial coursework in college, which adds time and cost.

Cover NDUS MAR in your September newsletter for ninth-grade families and revisit it for junior families planning their senior year schedule.

ND-Specific College and Financial Aid Opportunities

North Dakota's in-state college options are strong and often overlooked by families who assume out-of-state schools are more prestigious. Your newsletter can highlight:

NDUS Presidential Scholarship: Available at multiple ND campuses; GPA and test score requirements vary
Valley Family Foundation Scholarship: For students in ND and Minnesota entering NDSU
ND Indian Scholarship Program: For enrolled members of federally recognized tribes attending ND postsecondary institutions
FAFSA: Opens October 1; no specific ND state deadline but earlier is better for ND campus aid
Dual Credit: Many ND high schools offer college credit through NDSU, UND, Bismarck State, and NDSCS; mention semester enrollment deadlines

A Template Excerpt for ND Junior-Year Newsletter

English III: We are finishing the research paper unit. Final drafts are due October 22. Students taking dual credit English through NDSU should also check their college portal for any additional submission requirements -- dual credit assignments have separate deadlines from the high school course.
College Prep: FAFSA opened October 1. If your family qualifies for the ND Indian Scholarship Program, the application opens in January through the ND University System. Creating a StudentAid.gov account now takes 10 minutes and prevents delays when you apply for aid in the fall of senior year.

ND's Agricultural and Energy Economy in Your Newsletter

North Dakota's economy is driven by agriculture, energy (particularly Bakken oil), and healthcare. Many ND high school students have career paths that do not require four-year degrees -- welding, ag mechanics, petroleum technology, and healthcare are all high-demand fields in ND with strong local wages. Your newsletter should reflect this reality by mentioning CTE credentials and local employment pathways alongside college prep information. A newsletter that presents only the four-year college pathway as worthy of attention fails the families whose students are heading toward different but equally valid careers.

Weather, Absences, and Academic Planning

North Dakota winters regularly produce extended school closures. Your newsletter should address your school's severe weather policies early in the fall:

How the district communicates school closures (automated phone, website, local radio)
How makeup work and assessments are handled after weather cancellations
Any online learning backup plans your school has in place
How attendance requirements are applied during unavoidable weather events

Families who know the policy in advance are far less frustrated when weather disrupts the schedule.

Keeping Your Newsletter Personal for ND Communities

In a small ND high school, your newsletter can be more personal than in a large suburban district. Reference specific local events -- the county fair, the region's basketball tournament, the annual ag expo -- as anchors for timing and context. Use "we" language. Mention the school mascot. Acknowledge the community context. A newsletter that feels like it comes from someone who knows ND and knows this community will be read more consistently than a generic template that could have come from anywhere.

North Dakota High School Newsletter Guide for Teachers