Every August the same email lands in your inbox: a supplies list from the teacher, three grades' worth if you have more than one kid, and a deadline. This guide turns that into one shopping trip. Below you get a grade-by-grade breakdown, a copy-paste checklist, and picks that cover a whole classroom without emptying the cart.
Skip to your grade, or grab a ready-made kit if you want the decision made for you.
What supplies does every student need?
Six items show up on almost every list, kindergarten through college:
- #2 pencils. Pre-sharpened saves the first-week scramble. A 12-pack of Next #2 yellow pencils covers one student for a semester.
- Glue sticks. Washable, dries clear. Buy the 0.28 oz washable glue sticks in a multipack.
- Spiral notebooks, one per subject. The wide-ruled 1-subject spiral notebook comes in four colors so you can code by class.
- Crayons or colored pencils for younger grades. A box of 24 washable crayons survives spills.
- Folders to carry graded work home.
- A backpack that lasts the year, like the 17-inch classic backpack.
Kindergarten and grades K-2
Little hands need chunkier tools and washable everything. Prioritize jumbo crayons, safety scissors like the 5-inch kids training scissors, washable glue sticks, and a primary composition book with the dashed handwriting lines. The Primary School Supplies Kit (17 pieces, Grades K-2) packs the whole list into one box.
Grades 3-5 (elementary)
Kids start writing more and organizing their own work. Add colored pencils, a ruler, an eraser, a pencil sharpener with a receptacle, and folders in solid colors for subject coding. The Elementary School Supplies Kit (20 pieces) matches most district lists for this range.
Middle and high school
Teachers assign by subject now, so notebooks and binders multiply. Stock 1-inch and 1.5-inch binders, dividers, highlighters, a mechanical pencil set, and a scientific-friendly ruler. The Middle and High School Supplies Kit (22 pieces) covers the core, and you fill in subject-specific extras.
College and dorm essentials
College lists skip the crayons and lean on paper, pens, and desk organization. Buy copy paper by the ream, a stapler, index cards for study sessions, sticky flags, and a desk-friendly tape dispenser. A 66-piece Back to School Supplies Kit works as a dorm starter set you split with a roommate.
Buying for a whole classroom or family
Teachers and parents of three do not shop by the single unit. Buy pencils by the 144-count box, file folders by the 100-count box, and eraser caps by the 120-count box. The per-item cost drops, and you are covered past the first supply run in October when everything runs out.
Back to school checklist:
- #2 pencils (12-24 per student)
- Glue sticks (2-4)
- Spiral notebooks (1 per subject)
- Composition book
- Crayons / colored pencils (K-5)
- Safety or standard scissors
- Ruler
- Eraser + sharpener
- 2-pocket folders (1 per subject)
- 1-inch binder + dividers (grade 4+)
- Highlighters (grade 5+)
- Backpack
- Copy paper + index cards (college)
Products in this guide
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy school supplies?
Mid-July through early August. Lists post around then, stock is full, and you avoid the late-August shortage on common items like glue sticks and folders.
How much do school supplies cost per child?
A single-student list runs roughly the price of one supply kit plus a backpack. Buying core items like pencils and folders in bulk brings the yearly cost down because you refill from the same box instead of rebuying small packs.
What is the cheapest way to buy school supplies?
Buy the repeat-use items (pencils, glue, folders, eraser caps) in bulk counts, and use a grade kit for the one-off items. That combination beats buying every item as a small retail pack.
Do teachers need different supplies than students?
Teachers buy classroom quantities plus organization and display tools: labels, push pins, a dry erase calendar, and sticky flags. See our classroom setup guide for that list.
Shop the full Back to School collection and build your list in one cart. Grade kits, bulk pencils, and backpacks ship together.
