This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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State Policies in North Dakota  

North Dakota does not have a state acceleration policy. LEA's make acceleration decisions.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy specifically permits. In general, students must be five years old by August 1 of the year they wish to enter school. According to North Dakota Century Code 15.1-06-01, if the child will turn five before December 1 and demonstrates "superior academic talents or abilities and social and emotional readiness" the child may enter early. 

Early entrance to 1st gradeState policy specifically permits. In general, students must be six years old by August 1 of the year they wish to enter first grade. According to North Dakota Century Code 15.1-06-01 If the child will turn five before December 1 and demonstrates "academic, social, and emotional readiness" or has completed kindergarten, the child may enter first grade early.
Whole-grade accelerationLocal education agencies are responsible for gifted programming in North Dakota, but the state provides a North Dakota Best Practices for Gifted Education that includes discussion of whole-grade acceleration as an option for some students.
Early high school graduationNorth Dakota outlines Graduation Requirements, but it is not clear if students who have met those requirements would be permitted to graduate early.
Early entrance to collegeIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or universityState policy specifically permits for students in grades 10-12.  For more information, please see the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction's page on Dual Credit.
Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

Local districts may accept high school credit prior to ninth grade.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits. Additional information can be found at Advanced Placement.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for North Dakota, but gifted students in ND can participate in regional and national talent searches, including those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center and the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy leaves LEA to determine.
Other forms of content-based acceleration

Typically left to LEAs to determine. If you know of state-level code, please e-mail us.

Additional Information

North Dakota Department of Education

North Dakota Association for Gifted Children

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2020-2021 (a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children), Websites, professional literature, and personal communication. The Acceleration Institute has not verified the accuracy of this information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.