Hopwood Middle School is not expected to open for up to two months Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
The Northern Marianas governor says about 800 people are still living in emergency shelter more than a week after Typhoon Yutu.
The category five storm barrelled into the islands of Tinian and Saipan last Thursday, causing extensive damage with winds exceeding 290 kilometres an hour.
The governor, Ralph Torres, says officials are also planning to build temporary structures for school children, with many classrooms damaged.
The United States has sent more than 350 troops to help with the recovery, and more are expected in the coming days.
Many in the territory are still without water and power, and debris remains scattered across the islands.
But Mr Torres says he's optimistic at the pace of recovery, although he cautioned it would probably take months.