High School School Supplies List: Everything Students Need for a Successful School Year

Get ready for the school year with this high school school supplies list . A well-planned high school school supplies list can help your student start the year prepared while helping your family stay on budget. With Cozi, you can organize your shopping list, assign purchases to family members, and check items off together—whether you’re shopping in-store or online. Navigate back-to-school with the Cozi Back-to-School Resource Guide or see our school supplies lists by grade level to get a head start on your school shopping. 

Why High School Supply Shopping Is Different

Unlike elementary school, most high school students have multiple teachers, several classrooms, and different requirements for each subject. Some teachers provide supply lists before school starts, while others wait until the first week of class.

Instead of buying everything at once, start with the essentials and leave room for any teacher-specific requests later.

The Ultimate High School School Supplies List

Here’s a comprehensive checklist that works for most high school students.

Everyday Essentials

• Backpack
• Reusable water bottle
• Lunch bag (if bringing lunch)
• Planner or assignment notebook (if preferred)
• Student ID holder or lanyard
• Combination lock (if required)

Writing Supplies

• Blue and black pens
• Pencils
• Mechanical pencils and lead
• Highlighters
• Colored pens
• Permanent markers
• Dry erase markers (if requested)
• Erasers
• Pencil sharpener

Paper Supplies

• College-ruled notebooks
• Spiral notebooks
• Composition notebooks
• Loose-leaf notebook paper
• Graph paper (for math classes)
• Sticky notes
• Index cards

Organization Supplies

• Three-ring binders
• Binder dividers
• Pocket folders
• Expanding file folder
• Pencil pouch
• Binder clips
• Paper clips
• Labels

Technology Essentials

Many high schools rely heavily on digital learning.

Your student may need:

• Laptop or Chromebook (if not school-issued)
• Laptop sleeve or case
• Headphones or earbuds
• Charger
• Portable power bank
• USB flash drive
• Wireless mouse
• Charging cables

Math Supplies

Depending on courses, students may need:

• Scientific calculator
• Graphing calculator
• Compass
• Protractor
• Ruler

Art and Elective Supplies

Some classes require additional materials such as:

• Sketchbook
• Colored pencils
• Paint brushes
• Craft supplies
• Music folder
• Instrument accessories
• Culinary supplies
• Lab notebook

Wait until teachers confirm requirements before purchasing expensive specialty items.

Don’t Forget Personal Care Items

Keeping a few essentials in a backpack can help students feel prepared throughout the day.

Consider packing:

• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Reusable water bottle
• Hair ties
• Deodorant
• Small first-aid kit
• Feminine hygiene products
• Sunscreen for outdoor activities

Tips for Saving Money on School Supplies

Shopping for high school can get expensive, especially if you have multiple students.

Here are a few ways to save:

• Shop tax-free weekends if available.
• Compare online and in-store prices.
• Buy store-brand notebooks and paper.
• Reuse binders, folders, and calculators from previous years.
• Buy frequently used supplies in bulk.
• Wait on specialty classroom supplies until teachers provide their lists.

Organize Your High School School Supplies List with Cozi

School shopping is much easier when the whole family can stay on the same page.

With Cozi, you can:

• Create one shared shopping list for every student.
• Assign shopping tasks to different family members.
• Check off purchases in real time.
• Add teacher-specific supplies as they’re announced.
• Store receipts or notes for easy reference.
• Keep your back-to-school shopping organized alongside your shared family calendar.

Whether one parent is shopping online while another stops at the store after work, everyone can see what’s already been purchased, helping prevent duplicate purchases.

Create a Back-to-School Shopping Timeline

Avoid the last-minute rush by spreading shopping out over several weeks.

4–6 Weeks Before School

• Take inventory of supplies from last year.
• Create your shared shopping list in Cozi.
• Watch for sales.

2–3 Weeks Before School

• Purchase core supplies.
• Replace backpacks and lunch gear if needed.
• Order technology accessories.

1 Week Before School

• Add any teacher-specific items.
• Label supplies.
• Pack backpacks.
• Double-check your list.

Make Back-to-School Shopping Easier

A well-organized high school school supplies list takes the stress out of preparing for a new school year. By shopping early, sticking to a checklist, and using Cozi to manage purchases, your family can stay organized from the first shopping trip through the first day of school.

With Cozi’s shared shopping lists, calendars, and reminders, everyone knows what’s been purchased, what still needs to be picked up, and when it’s time to head back to the store—making the back-to-school season a little less hectic and a lot more manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be on a high school school supplies list?

Most students need notebooks, folders, binders, pens, pencils, loose-leaf paper, a backpack, calculator, headphones, and a laptop or Chromebook if required by their school. Individual teachers may request additional supplies after classes begin.

Do high school students need different supplies than middle school students?

Yes. High school students often have more digital assignments, advanced math courses, and elective classes that require specialized materials. Organization tools like binders, folders, and digital devices also become more important.

Should I buy all school supplies before school starts?

Purchase the essentials before the first day, then wait for teacher-specific supply requests before buying specialty items. This helps avoid unnecessary spending.

You can easily add this school supplies list to your Cozi app for easy access at the store. Just tap “Add to Cozi” below and check off items as you shop.

 

 

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