About .school domain
.school is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) operated by Donuts (Little Galley, LLC). It was delegated to the root zone in February 2015 after being won by Donuts in an auction among several applicants. As a commercial gTLD, it is managed as a standard domain product with no inherent restrictions on its thematic use.
Who can register .school domain
Registration for .school domains is open to anyone worldwide. There are no geographic, organizational, or professional verification requirements to register a domain. Individuals, businesses, educational institutions, and community groups are all eligible to register a .school domain name without providing specific documentation.
How to register .school domain
- Search for your desired .school domain name at any accredited registrar to check its availability and see if it is offered as a standard or premium name.
- Compare pricing, bundled features like WHOIS privacy, and renewal terms across different registrars before adding the domain to your cart.
- Complete the checkout process, providing accurate registrant contact information and selecting your desired registration term, which typically starts at one year.
- After purchase, verify your contact email to activate the domain and configure your DNS settings, such as nameservers, to point the domain to your website or service.
Typical uses of .school domain
The .school extension is commonly used by educational institutions, from primary schools to universities, to establish a clear and relevant online identity. It is also popular among educational technology companies, tutoring services, training providers, and educational resource platforms. These entities choose .school to immediately communicate their focus on education and learning, often finding it more descriptive and available than traditional extensions like .com within their sector.
Tips for registering .school domain
- Domains can typically be registered for a minimum term of one year, with multi-year registrations often available.
- WHOIS privacy protection is generally offered for .school domains by most registrars, allowing you to shield personal contact details from the public database.
- Be aware that some .school domain names may be classified as "premium" by the registry, carrying a higher initial and renewal price.
- Standard transfer policies apply, but domains may be subject to a 60-day transfer lock following registration or a change in registrant contact information.
Frequently asked questions about .school domain
How much does it cost to register and renew a .school domain?
As of today, .school domains start from $4.99/yr on NameBeta, with prices ranging up to $99.96/yr across 34 registrars. See the registrar comparison table on this page for live prices.Which registrars support .school domains?
NameBeta tracks 34 registrars that support .school domain registration, with the cheapest option at $4.99/yr. Full list on this page.Who operates .school domain?
The registry for .school domains is Identity Digital, administered by Binky Moon, LLC.
Who can register a .school domain?
.school domains are available for registration by any individual or organization globally. No proof of affiliation with an educational institution is required. This makes it a versatile choice for educators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and community projects focused on any learning-related topic.
Can I transfer a .school domain between registrars?
Transferring a .school domain to a new registrar follows the standard ICANN procedure. You must unlock the domain at your current registrar and obtain an authorization code (EPP code). After initiating the transfer at the gaining registrar and approving the request, the transfer typically completes within 5-7 days, provided the domain is more than 60 days old and not within a redemption grace period.
Are there any content restrictions for .school websites?
The .school registry does not enforce specific content policies mandating that websites be exclusively educational. Registrants are free to use their domains for any lawful purpose. However, all registrants must adhere to the registry's acceptable use policy, which prohibits illegal or abusive activities, similar to other open gTLDs.
What dispute policies apply to .school domains?
.school domains are subject to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP), which allows trademark holders to challenge bad-faith registrations. The registry also participated in a Sunrise period for trademark owners prior to general availability and may offer additional rights protection mechanisms like the Trademark Claims service to notify potential infringers.
What happens if I forget to renew my .school domain?
After expiration, your domain typically enters a renewal grace period (often 30 days) where you can renew it at the standard rate. If not renewed, it may then enter a redemption grace period where recovery is possible for an additional fee. Finally, the domain will be deleted and released back into the pool of available names for general registration.
