School supplies

• When school starts
• Start with the teacher's list
• The classic staples
• Featured types

When school starts

Across much of the South and Midwest, school starts in early-to-mid August; many Northeastern districts wait until after Labor Day. Stores stock up in July, and several states run sales tax holidays on school supplies in late July or August. Rules and dates vary by state, so check your state's revenue department before you shop.

Start with the teacher's list

Most US schools post a grade-level supply list, sometimes very specific (brand, color or count). Elementary lists often include shared classroom supplies like tissues, glue sticks and dry erase markers. Middle and high school lists lean toward binders, loose-leaf paper and a calculator. When in doubt, buy the basics and wait for the first-week handout for the rest.

The classic staples

The black-and-white composition notebook is still a classroom favorite because pages don't tear out. Two-pocket folders (often with prongs) keep handouts moving between home and school. And #2 pencils remain the default for worksheets and tests.