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Back-to-school shopping list for last-minute shoppers

Here’s how to ace back-to-school prep with a list of last-minute items students and teachers may need.

Published: July 7, 2025 | 6 minutes to read

Written by: Marissa Adamo

A teacher gives a high-five to a student in a classroom stocked with back-to-school supplies.

It's the first school day. Students get ready to go, then leave for school. But what if something's missing from their backpacks?

This back-to-school supplies list makes it easy to prevent an "oops" moment. This list can help families remember important items, like packing a flash drive or a folder. That way, students are equipped for a successful school year.

 

In this article

 

Back-to-school shopping list

Access to basic school supplies is linked to good classroom participation, organization and learning success, so a good school year starts with the right tools. The items listed below support and inspire learning, from elementary school to college.

Shopping for kindergarteners

Backpack with ergonomic straps (Expert tip: It is recommended that the bag should be less than 15 percent of a child’s body weight.)

Shopping for elementary schoolers

In addition to most of the supplies needed for kindergartners, elementary students may also need:

Shopping for middle schoolers

Shopping for high schoolers

In addition to the supplies required for middle school, high schoolers may need:

Searching for back-to-school supplies in a pinch? Check in with your local CVS® store to browse options from a child’s school shopping list.

Home office supplies for students

Student studies at home with their office supplies.

A home office is like a command center for school. It can be a corner or a room where papers pile up, juice glasses multiply and creativity flows. At the same time, pencils can disappear. Binders can break. Everyone works a little differently.

Having a dedicated learning space at home supports better homework completion and organization, when students have these comfortable spaces outside of the classroom, it can help make learning easier and more enjoyable. When setting up an office space, it is a good idea to give students extra desk supplies and always have backups when items go missing. 

Shopping for at-home office items

  • Desk or table
  • Chair or stool
  • Desk organizer
  • Academic planner
  • Extension cord
  • Printer
  • Printer paper
  • Printer ink
  • Wall hooks
  • Hole punch
  • Stapler
  • Tijeras
  • Cinta
  • White out
  • Pencil box
  • Loose-leaf paper
  • Writing supplies
  • Extra art supplies, if needed

Teachers’ shopping list

A teacher uses books to help teach young kids in a classroom.

A new school year can bring a flurry of activity, planning and preparation to teachers. That's why a stocked classroom with supplies for every lesson is important. These supplies help ensure that learning moments for students are engaging.

Research shows that teachers often spend hundreds of their own dollars to stock classrooms, highlighting the importance of support from the community.

This list can make a difference in classroom management, student interaction and teachers’ own well-being during those busy first weeks and beyond.

Shopping list for teachers

Tips for back-to-school shopping

Getting ready to go back to school is all about preparation. With a good routine, these simple strategies can help families feel organized, reduce last-minute stress and make sure students start the year with confidence.

Back-to-school supplies

Quick fixes to rescue school supplies

Below are some hacks that can save time from making a store run so students can have the supplies they need.

Refreshing school supplies

Printable checklist for last-minute supplies

For those busy moments when students want something they can give a quick glance to and go, this checklist is a handy reminder of those often-forgotten items.

A comprehensive back-to-school checklist provides parents with confidence and students with organization for a smooth start to the school year.

Consideraciones clave

With a little organization and a checklist, families and teachers can make sure their students have everything they need for a smooth and confident start to the year. Taking time to check what supplies are already at home, swapping gently used items with others or giving last year's favorites a quick refresh can also make the process more sustainable. Tools like a printable checklist or digital note can keep everyone on track, setting students and classrooms up for a successful school year.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.

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