The Administrator’s Guide to the New School Year

Set up your teachers & students for success

The end of the school year is usually a time of celebration for students and teachers. For school administrators, though, the start of the summer break signals the beginning of preparation for what comes next. In order to set your students up for success when the new year starts, you must make sure that your teachers and aides have everything they need. Basic supplies, furniture, specialized tools, technology—there’s a lot of ground to cover, typically on a tight budget.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. With the right retail partner, you can save time and money while giving teachers and students what they need to be successful. This comprehensive checklist will help you support your educators and kick off the new school year on the right foot.

Report to homeroom

Let’s start with the basic supplies that apply to every classroom, regardless of subject or grade. Students may be expected to bring their own pens, pencils, highlighters and notebooks, but inevitably, many will get lost or forgotten at home. Stock up on replacements and be prepared to offer backups.

As for your teachers, you can help them get organized by supplying them with calendars and planners. Be aware of any specialized equipment they might also need, such as graphing calculators for advanced math classes, reference books for language classes and dry-erase markers for writing on whiteboards.

Finally, take stock of any furniture needs. Desks and cabinets don’t need to be replaced annually, but damage and daily wear likely mean at least a few will need to be retired. Chairs with wobbly legs or insecure shelving could result in broken equipment or even injuries. At the very least, furniture that’s showing its age can be distracting and keep your students from doing their best.

This section contains sponsored products.

Hit the gym (class)

Learning isn’t always a stationary activity; it’s important that students get active through gym class and after-school activities. Physical activity often requires its own equipment, including:

• Sports balls: You can’t play basketball without the ball. The same is true for baseball, softball, tennis and many other sports.

• Bats and racquets: Keep baseball, tennis, softball and badminton in the line-up by ensuring students have the required equipment for these activities.

• Goals and nets: You can’t score a goal without a goal to score in. For younger students, foldable playsets are ideal for easy setup and breakdown.

• Protective and wearable gear: Depending on the sport, students may need gloves, pads or helmets.

You can expect a few basketballs to burst or softballs to mysteriously disappear before the year is out, so be sure you have enough extras to go around. If you don’t know what to look for, poll gym teachers and coaches on their most needed supplies and go from there.

Get creative with arts & crafts

School isn’t just about reading, writing and arithmetic. It’s important for students to have a creative outlet in the form of well-equipped art classes. When considering creative supplies, start with a rainbow of markers, crayons and construction paper. Paints and brushes should also be on the list; go with washable paints for the younger students. Glue and scissors are a must for crafting and art projects. Why do kids love slime so much? We’re not sure, but make sure you stock up.  You can even pick up premade crafting kits that come with everything one or more students may need—your art teachers will thank you.

This section contains sponsored products.

Take a coffee break

The teachers’s lounge is often a place of peace amid the controlled chaos of the halls and classrooms. Help keep it this way by stocking up on break room essentials like coffee and snacks. There are several ways to make the coffee station more appealing, so treat your staff to high-quality joe and flavored creamers to make their break time even more enjoyable.

If it’s been a while since your school got new coffee makers, now is the time to think about replacing them. Single-pod coffee makers are a popular option since they allow teachers to quickly grab a cup and go. Dual-purpose brewers that make both full pots and single cups of coffee are also a smart choice—this way, your teaching staff can brew full pots in the morning and then grab single cups as needed throughout the day.

Flex your tech skills in computer lab

As of the 2022–2023 school year, 94% of public schools provided students with digital devices like laptops or tablets. Chromebooks are the device of choice due to their low price point, simplicity of use and easy access to the Google Classroom suite of apps. There’s a wide variety of Chromebooks to choose from; Samsung, Acer and ASUS are just a few of the big names in computer hardware that produce these low-cost laptops.

For added versatility, a number of Chromebooks come in 2-in-1 models, meaning they can be used as laptops and tablets. It’s also a good idea for every classroom to have a few extra chargers in case students arrive with an empty battery.

Don’t forget to keep it clean

Of course, your work as an administrator goes beyond the classroom. There are also maintenance issues to consider, from regular cleaning to proper lighting. Stock up on these supplies well before the first day of the school year to set up your janitorial and maintenance teams for success.

Rubber gloves, paper towels, mops and cleansers are a good place to start, and you can never have too much hand sanitizer. In addition to light bulbs, ensure that your schools have enough step ladders to reach those light fixtures. Every school is different, so try to anticipate each one’s specific needs and purchase accordingly.

Start the school year with Walmart Business

Equipping your district with the tools it needs for a new school year is challenging enough. Let Walmart Business make it easier with its impressive range of supplies at low prices for the classroom and beyond. Eligible schools can also easily apply their tax-exempt status to their purchases with Walmart Business! 

If you already have a Walmart Business account, consider signing up for a Walmart Business+ membership to unlock additional savings. You’ll enjoy benefits like free shipping with no order minimum,¹ free delivery from local stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders of $250 or more.³ That could add up to over $500 saved each year!⁴ Learn more here. 

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).