Back to basics: A supply list for middle school

Keep our school supply checklist handy to make your shopping as easy as A, B, C.

By GreatSchools Staff

What’s the smart way to shop for school supplies? Eliminate the guesswork by getting a list from your child’s teacher ahead of time or waiting until school starts to find out what’s actually required. The teacher may recommend specific brands, sizes, or quantities, but even if the list isn’t available, you can still take advantage of back-to-school sales (many states offer “tax-free days” during this season) by sticking to the basics recommended below. And remember, you can’t go wrong with tools that help kids get — and stay — organized.

The basics

No. 2 pencils

Mechanical pencils

Colored pencils

Pencil sharpener (hand-held with a top to collect shavings)

A large pink eraser

Ballpoint pens (Get a few red ink ones too, because some teachers have students do peer editing.)

Highlighters

Spiral-bound or composition notebooks

Loose-leaf notebook paper (Teachers can be picky about paper. Some middle schools ask that students use the college-ruled variety.)

A ruler with English and metric measurements

Organizational helpers

Several three-ring binders (Some teachers require that a binder be used exclusively for their class.)

A three-hole punch (a regular one or one that fits in a three-ring binder)

A pencil case that fits in a binder

Binder dividers (The kinds with pockets are good for loose papers.)

Pocket folders

Folders that fit in binders

A small notebook to record assignments

A calendar for scheduling assignments

A sturdy, supportive backpack (Some schools do not permit rolling backpacks because of space considerations, so check with your school before considering this option.)

Two combination locks (If the school lockers do not have built-in locks, your child might need one for the hallway and one for the gym.)

Study aids

Index cards, ruled and unruled (These are great for making flash cards.)

Highlighters

A calculator (Check with the math teacher first before investing in an expensive one. Graphing calculators, for example, are required in many high school math classes. Teachers advise parents not to buy a calculator with more functions than students will use.)

A protractor (Some middle school students will need one, sometimes as early as in sixth grade.)

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Comments from GreatSchools.net readers

10/6/2009:

"this basic shool supply list is excellent too keep for years to come. thankyou"

09/8/2009:

"This supply list is a real help ! I was already freaking out about going to middle school for the first time, and when I found out that my school didn't have the supplies list I went crazy trying to find a list like this ! Thanks a ton !"

09/8/2009:

"i think that these supplies are great. also there are different types of calculators, maybe you can list the kind high school students need."

09/2/2009:

"Thank you so much...."

09/1/2009:

"This is a great help. Thank you"

08/31/2009:

"my middle school had no supply list and me and my dad were freaking out trying to find one and i found this on google. thanks, greatschools!"

08/20/2009:

"This was really helpful. It was very similar to my kids school lists."

08/19/2009:

"Thanks alot! :)"

08/19/2009:

"I love this supply list it really helped me out a whole lot...my schools website had one to but I couldnt download it to my computer so I found this one A thousand thanks!!!!:)"

08/19/2009:

"Greatschools is a wonderful website for getting information about schools as well as helpful tips to guide our children and keep parents informed. I really appreciate the website and think the articles are so very helpful."

08/18/2009:

"yes all schools are different teachers and/or schools give lists on the first day you should use this list because it provides the basics and you wouldn't need much more than that store lists are designed to make you spend MORE money and buy unnessary things at higher costs store lists provide the basic idea but get other lists online as well "

08/18/2009:

"it is great i knew exactly what to buy my 8th grader!"

08/18/2009:

"i found this really helpfull but not for private school"

08/18/2009:

"this is an awesome site but is this the 'school supplies list' for all schools or just 'the basics?'"

08/14/2009:

"This syte helped me out sooooo much. My own school website had absolutlly nothing on what i should have for school. so thanks to whoever made this website. :)"

08/14/2009:

"Thanks! This really helped to get me ready for school. "

08/13/2009:

"Thank you so much! I find this supply list extremly helpful to me when Im out and about shoping! Keep up the good work!"

08/12/2009:

"this is so helpful! THX! a bunch!! u should list which schools need the certain item like separating exam schools and private schools and public schools because each school is different."

08/12/2009:

"I was trying to find a certain school and i need something that really helps me.....this did a really good job but i want to make sure my kid is pre=pared for anything when she goes to middle school for her last year!"

08/10/2009:

"this helped alot :)"

08/5/2009:

"THIS TIPS ARE AWESOME THEY HELPED ME A LOT LATELY."

08/4/2009:

" i think its awsome!"

08/3/2009:

"this helped me out. :))))"

08/3/2009:

"ok all yew really need to tell the truth is paper,penicals,folders,ruler,pens,binder,bookbag,and notebook"

07/31/2009:

"THanks this helped alot "