Admissions & Residency Rules
Geographic Requirements
Private boarding academies enroll students from any state. Youth Challenge academies are state-run: the nearest programs, in Montana and Wisconsin, both require in-state residency.
Military School Options for North Dakota Families
North Dakota has no in-state military schools. Here's where families actually go:
The Boarding Path
- St. John's Northwestern Academy (Delafield, WI) — coed, grades 7-12 plus post-graduate, the region's traditional boarding academy; boarding tuition $56,300 (2026-27)
- Culver Academies (Culver, IN) — the elite tier; coed boarding, grades 9-12, $67,000 (2025-26)
- Saint Thomas Academy (Mendota Heights, MN) — all-boys Catholic day school, grades 6-12, for families near the Minnesota border
See the complete boarding school list and tuition guide.
The Free Path (Ages 16-18)
The free options are narrower than in most states. The Montana Youth Challenge Academy and Wisconsin Challenge Academy are both free 22-week National Guard programs for teens who are behind in school — but both require in-state residency, which rules out North Dakota teens. The one free boarding option open to some North Dakota families is Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota, tuition-free for eligible Native American students in grades 9-12. Learn what to expect from Youth Challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any military schools in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota currently has no military schools, academies, or Youth Challenge programs in-state. Families use academies in Minnesota and Wisconsin; the region's free Youth Challenge programs admit only their own state's residents.
What's the closest military school to Fargo?
Saint Thomas Academy, an all-boys Catholic military day school in the Twin Cities, is about 4 hours away. For boarding, St. John's Northwestern Academy near Milwaukee is the closest traditional academy.
Is there a free military-style option for North Dakota teens?
Mostly no. The nearest free programs — the Montana Youth Challenge Academy and the Wisconsin Challenge Academy, both 22-week National Guard programs for 16-18 year olds — require in-state residency. The exception is Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota, a tuition-free federal boarding school for eligible Native American students in grades 9-12.