The Grand Forks Public School District is a progressive school district, with both standard and non-traditional subjects covered in the curriculum. Students routinely use computers and other technologies in the classroom, and all students receive some foreign language instruction prior to high school. The district's special education department is recognized as one of the best in the state; it provides services to disabled persons ages 3 through 21. Gifted students are provided with enrichment opportunities, including Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. Extracurricular opportunities in sports and the arts are offered to students in all grades. The Grand Forks Foundation for Education is a private organization that provides private donations, scholarships, and endowments to the district's schools and its students.
The following is a summary of data regarding Grand Forks's public schools as of the 2003–2004 school year.
Total enrollment: 8,008
Number of facilities
elementary schools: 12
middle schools: 4
senior high schools: 2
alternative schools: 1
Student/teacher ratio: 18.5:1
Teacher salaries average: $39,007
Funding per pupil: $6,663
Five parochial and private schools provide an alternative to the public school curriculum. Two schools at Grand Forks Air Force Base provide education for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grades; high school students on the base are bused to Central High School.
Public Schools Information: Grand Forks Public Schools, 2400 47th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201; telephone (701)746-2200
The University of North Dakota (UND), with more than 13,000 students, is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in the Upper Midwest. Founded in 1883, the university has a strong liberal arts course and a constellation of 10 professional and specialized colleges and schools. Academic programs are offered in 188 fields, and the curriculum spans arts and sciences, aviation, business, fine arts, engineering, human resources, education, nursing, law, medicine, and graduate studies. UND's school of medicine is recognized as a national leader in training rural health care providers.
The Grand Forks City-County Library houses more than 300,000 volumes and subscribes to nearly 400 periodicals. Its Grand Forks Collection includes books, pictures, and oral history of the local area. The library hosts story hours for young children, and has meeting facilities available to the public for a small fee. The library's computer facilities offer free word processing and Internet access. Patrons can access the library's catalog via its Internet website. Within Greater Grand Forks's libraries are more than 3 million volumes as well as periodicals, reports, microfilms, and documents.
The University of North Dakota has an international reputation for research. Among its research centers and service units are the Energy and Environmental Research Center, the Bureau of Governmental Affairs, the Bureau of Educational Services and Applied Research, the Center for Rural Health, and the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium.
The Research Center at Altru Hospital participates in research and clinical trials in specialties that include cardiology, oncology, infectious diseases, pain management, and surgery. The Center collaborates with other healthcare providers and academic institutions in a 17 county region of northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
Public Library Information: Grand Forks City-County Library, 2110 Library Circle, Grand Forks, ND 58201; telephone (701)772-8116