Back to School Guide

Being a native Michigander I was unaware of the way things are done in public schools in "The South". Most schools have strict uniform guidelines, which I didn't find out until after I had bought my children an entire new wardrobe. We had to exchange everything for Khaki dress pants and polo shirts. Be sure to check with your child's school, but here is a basic list of items you will need according to what grade your child will be in.

Elementary School

*Khaki uniform pants,knee-length shorts, skirts or jumpers (no khaki jeans, wide legs, flairs or cargo pants)

*Polo shirts (color will vary by school)

*Clear or mesh backpack (no messenger bags or duffel bags)

Middle School & Junior High

*Khaki uniform pants (no shorts are allowed, no wide legs, flairs or cargo pants)

*Polo shirts (color will vary by school)

*Clear or mesh backpack (no messenger bags, duffel bags or oversize purses for girls)

Highschool

*Blue jeans (no dress pants, colored or black jeans, cargo pants, shorts or skirts)

*Polo shirts (no stripes, designs or logos allowed)

*Clear or mesh backpack (no messenger bags, duffel bags or oversize purses for girls)

Regardless of your child's grade, they will also need quite a few essential supplies because the schools do not provide them. The most basic supplies are:

*Lined paper (college rule for Junior High and Highschool)

*#2 pencils

*Ink Pens (blue, red and black)

*Highlighters

*Portfolios with prongs

*Spiral notebooks (college rule for Junior High and Highschool)

*Colored Pencils (for Elementary and Middle School)

*Several three-ring binders in various sizes (check with the school)

*Tabbed dividers (for use in the binders)

*Composition books

*Graph paper (for Middle School through Highschool)

*Notecards (5x7 and 4x6 for Middle School through Highschool)

If you have most of these items for the first day of school, your child should be fairly well prepared. As the school year progresses teachers may ask for extra items for the classroom such as tissues or for special projects. (For example:Most Junior High students are required to do a science project and they will need a tri-fold science board.) Try to get these items as soon as you are aware that your child needs them. They tend to sell out very quickly due to high demand.