Unlike elementary & middle school you don’t get just one big list of school supplies to shop for. In high school each class is different & each teacher will have their own list of school supplies. If you don’t happen to make it to open house, then you’ll of course get the list on your first day of school.

& don’t panic about buying everything on the list apart from the most basic: paper, pens/pencils, notebook/binder, TI-83 calculator. I’ve found that often teachers will include other stuff that you won’t get around to using. But your teacher will go over the list with you & if it’s something really important then your teacher will tell you what things those are.

They suggest each student arrive on the first day with a notebook, paper, pens and pencils. If you have these item then you would be prepared for just about anything that could happen.

It doesn’t help much if you are trying to be prepared prior to the first day of school but each teacher will have different supplies and it is better for the students to wait to find out what is needed than to go and purchase a lot of supplies they don’t need.

I suggest the following:

– a good graphing calculator (like a TI-83) or a cheaper scientific calculator

– lots of spiral-bound or composition notebooks (to take notes in or to keep your science lab work in)

– a lot of loose leaf paper (college ruled, teachers like it better)

– a ruler and compass – you will probably be taking geometry some time

– pencils and pens and a pencil case to keep them in

– a planner or organizer to write your homework down in

– packs of tissues — you can’t get up to get them during class

– computer diskettes, you will be doing some computer work and you need to save them on discs

– a really big eraser… I really need erasers

– graph paper for math classes

– highlighters (they will help you take notes)

– paper clips or a mini-stapler to keep your work together

– a lot of index cards… some teachers wants some, or you can make study flash cards

Here is also a good list I found online:

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/schoolsupplies/a/supplies.htm

Harborside Supply List

– Pocket folders (8)

– 3 ring binders (2 or 3)

– Subject-area separator for 3-ring binder

– Loose-leaf college rule writing paper

– Composition notebooks (4)

– Pens (blue or black) and pencils

– PE clothing and required athletic shoes. (Plain color shorts and t-shirt.)

– Calculator (4 function)

– Spiral notebook for each elective (4)

Suggested Additional Supplies –

Color pencils, Color markers, Scissors, Graph paper, 3×5 index cards, Medium sized Post-It notes, Glue sticks or liquid glue, Inch & metric measuring ruler.

Buy the basics, then go out and buy exactly what the teacher wants. Hope this helps and good luck!!