Published: 17.10.2026
The .school extension is a generic top-level zone that is not tied to any country. The word school tells visitors at once that a site is about education, teaching or learning, so the zone suits schools, tutors, training centres and course providers. A school name gives students and parents a clear address, but the name alone does not make an organisation a school or give it any official status. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .school is still free.
Check if a .school domain is available .school Check
A short history
The .school zone was added during the wave of new generic extensions that opened the domain namespace to many everyday words. Since then it has been taken up by independent schools, online course providers, language teachers and education projects that wanted an address matching their work. Like other newer zones, it is less familiar to some people than .com, so schools that use it often explain the address on their printed materials.
Who runs it
The zone is operated by a registry under a contract with ICANN, the organisation that coordinates the global domain name system. The operator sets the registration policies, and accredited registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. Because the policies are published and can be updated, the current terms are the ones that matter when you order.
Rules in practice
- Use and content: the operator may set rules on what a site can publish, so read the acceptable use terms before you build the site.
- Contact data: the holder details must be accurate, and they may be checked when the registrar asks.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, and the length limits of the registry apply.
- Renewal: a school address is important to families and students, so keep the renewal date and the contact address under firm control.
Who uses .school
- Private schools, language schools and tutoring services that teach children or adults.
- Online course creators, coding bootcamps and vocational training providers.
- Parent groups, alumni associations and school clubs that share news and events.
- Teachers and educational consultants who publish lessons, guides and resources.
Strengths
- The word describes the purpose of the site, so students and parents can guess what they will find.
- The address is short and easy to remember, which helps when it is printed on a prospectus or a classroom poster.
- The zone is not tied to a country, so an online course can reach learners in several places.
Things to keep in mind
- A .school name does not confer accreditation, licensing or official status. Any claim about recognition must come from the proper authority, and the site should not imply it without proof.
- If the site is aimed at children, check the rules on personal data that apply to minors where you live and where your pupils are.
- Many education names are already taken, so a place name or a subject can make a name more specific.
- Operator policies can change, so review the terms regularly.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and in the networks your students already use.
- Register the name with the official organisation name, and keep the holder details matching the school's records.
- Publish accreditation or licence details only if you can show the official documents on request.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you send enrolment e-mails from the domain.
- Turn on auto-renewal, so that the school address does not expire during a term.
Frequently asked questions
Does a .school domain mean a school is accredited? No. The ending is only a naming choice. Accreditation comes from the relevant authorities, so publish credentials only as they are granted and confirmed by those bodies.
Can a single teacher register a .school name? Generic zones are usually open to individuals as well as organisations, but check the operator's current policies before you order.
Does .school help a course website rank in search results? No ending can promise a ranking. Clear course content, reliable information and genuine references matter far more.
