Your Back-to-School Supplies Checklist for Every Age Group

Aug 04, 2017 • Back to School, Checklists

Sit down and brace yourself.

It’s time to start back-to-school shopping.

We believe that the most important tool a student needs for the classroom is an active mind—but in addition to this, it’s important to stock up on some essential supplies he or she will need in class.

For many parents, this involves wandering through stores, pushing an overflowing shopping cart, and wondering whether their grade 3 student really needs that pack of glitter pens. Whether your child is starting elementary school, middle school, or high school, one question echoes in the minds of parents: “what school supplies does my child need to make this year a successful one?”.

It’s stressful, expensive, and something that never seems to get easier each year.

But this year that changes. Start your shopping trip prepared with a back-to-school checklist. Your checklist should include everything from art supplies, to notebooks, to that speciality math calculator.

While there may be some impulse purchases along the way, a back-to-school shopping checklist will help keep you and your child on track.

To help, we’ve put together a back-to-school supplies checklist for high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

Skip to your age group:
Back-To-School Supplies List For Elementary School
Back-To-School Supplies List For Middle School
Back-To-School Supplies List For High School

Organizational Supplies

• 1 Duotang or Pocket Folder Per Subject (for handouts)
• Agenda

Stationery

• Loose Leaf Ruled Paper
• Loose Leaf Blank Paper

Writing Supplies

• Package of Pencils
• 2 Erasers
• Ruler
• Pencil Sharpener

Subject Supplies

• Box of Crayons
• Pencil Crayons
• Washable Markers
• Bottle of White Glue
• 2 Glue Sticks
• Safety Scissors

Lunch Supplies

• 2 Freezer Packs
• Hand Wipes
• Lunch Bag
• Packaged Snacks

Storage

• Backpack
• Pencil Box or Pencil Bag
• Plastic Box for Art Supplies

Organization Supplies

• 1 Small Binder Per Subject OR 2 Medium Sized Binders
• 1 Duotang or Pocket Folder Per Subject (for handouts)
• Binder Dividers
• Post-It Notes
• Agenda
• USB Drive
• Combination Lock

Stationery

• Loose Leaf Ruled Paper OR 5 Subject Spiral Bound Notebook
• Package of Graph Paper

Writing Supplies

• 2 Highlighters in Different Colours
• Package of Blue or Black Pens
• Package of Pencils
• 2 Erasers
• Ruler
• Mini Stapler
• Pencil Sharpener
• Reinforcements

Subject Supplies

• Math Kit (Including Compass & Protractor)
• Pencil Crayons

Storage

• Backpack
• Lunch Box

Organization Supplies

• 1 Small Binder Per Subject OR 2 Medium Sized Binders
• 1 Duotang or Pocket Folder Per Subject (for handouts)
• Binder Dividers
• Post-It Notes
• Agenda
• USB Drive
• Combination Lock

Stationery

• Loose Leaf Ruled Paper OR 5 Subject Spiral Bound Notebook
• Package of Graph Paper

Writing Supplies

• 2 Highlighters in Different Colours
• Package of Blue or Black Pens
• Package of Pencils
• 2 Erasers
• Ruler
• Mini Stapler
• Pencil Sharpener
• Reinforcements

Storage

• Backpack
• Lunch Box

Extra Back-to-School Supplies

• Bandages
• Packaged Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Ice Packs

Get Your List Ready

A little planning goes a long way. Copy the list that’s right for you and bring it with on your back to school shopping trip. It’ll be quicker, easier, and you’ll end up spending less.

Remember that you can also re-use supplies from previous years. You can replace a backpack every few years, and use up any leftover pens before you buy a new box.

We hope you have a great start to the back-to-school season! For more resources check out our back-to-school resource centre.