Notre Dame of Kidapawan College, also referred to by its acronym NDKC, is a private, Catholic basic and higher education institution run by the Marist Brothers of the Schools or FMS (Fratres Maristae a Scholis), a Catholic religious order from France.
It offers elementary, high school, undergraduate and postgraduate courses (in consortium with NDDU and independent program).
In July 1948, Bishop Gerard G. Mongeau, OMI, DD of the Prelature of Cotabato opened the Notre Dame of Kidapawan High School.
In the school year 1960–1961, in response to the repeated requests of the people of Kidapawan, the Boys’ Department under the Marist Brothers through the efforts of Bro.
Norman Roy, FMS obtained permission from the Bureau of Private Schools to offer first year collegiate courses in Secretarial, Liberal Arts and Commerce.
Since the BSEED curriculum required a training department for the student teachers, the college got permission from the Bureau of Private Schools to offer a complete elementary course.
In 1965, the college received a recognition from the Bureau of Private Schools to offer the complete four-year courses in Education, Commerce, Liberal Arts and Secretarial.
In 1978, the NDKC administration, aware of the important role played by the school in the community, started a re-direction program in the college.
This course was offered to meet the needs of the community, but the school made it certain that the re-direction would not weaken in any way NDKC's traditional policy of academic excellence.
When the new college building (3 stories) was first occupied for the use of the students in June 1980, the enrollment increased significantly and reached the 1,500 mark.
The Commerce, Education, and Liberal Arts programs prepared for PAASCU accreditation starting first semester of the SY 1979–1980.
The first Re-Accreditation visit was then made on November 25–26, 1985 after which PAASCU granted NDKC a 5-year Level II Deregulated Status as confirmed in the Certificate dated July 21, 1986.
It has acquired 5-year Level II status during the succeeding PAASCU visit on January 21–22, 1992 through the Certificate of Accreditation dated December 11, 1992.
From 1983 to 1988, NDKC became one of the implementing institutions of the NDEA-wide Accelerated Training of Teachers for Cultural Communities (ATTCC) Program, which was funded by UNICEF and CIDA.
However, in 1990, the enrolment decreased due to the gradual phase out of Junior Secretarial course, and BS Commerce major in Accounting.
After sixteen long years, the most awaited completion of the second phase of the College building was realized through the untiring efforts of the NDKC President (1991–2006), Bro.
At the same time, the CMRE programmed and facilitated opportunities for spiritual development of the academic community through colloquia, retreat/recollections, enrichments sessions and the like.
The college department was also recognized by FAPE through NDEA as the Center for the Certification of ECE program in Cotabato area.
NDKC renovated the faculty rooms and installed air-conditioning units at the college to improve working and teaching-learning conditions on SY 2005–2006.
It also saw the birth of the research climate in the college department which offered new avenues to critical awareness, shared responsibility and insights.
Furthermore, in the first trimester of school year 2009 – 2010, the Doctorate of Philosophy in Education program was opened to address the need for advanced studies of the clientele.
Briccio J. Baynosa, FMS became the 15TH NDKC President in April 2010 after serving as Officer-In-Charge for one school year.
In consonance with the school's mission to upgrade all departments, the Liberal Arts, Education and Business Administration programs sought Level II accreditation by PAASCU in September 2010.
Also, the Deans head the Colleges of Business Administration, Education, Liberal Arts, Engineering and Information Technology, Accountancy and Nursing.