Anonymous
Post 06/19/2026 19:25     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Hold on… In about a month, the back to school sales will be in full swing and everything will be on sale! My kid loves to see the signs and ads once he is deep in vacation mode, LOL!!
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 07:19     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Does Williamsburg also restrict backpacks?
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 07:17     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Anonymous wrote:At Gunston (and likely at other APS middle schools), kids wear backpacks to school but then have to leave them in their lockers until the end of the day. They just take out what they need for class - iPad, pencil, notebook, and water bottle. Some kids tried to carry small tote bags or see-through bags so they didn't drop everything but eventually those were restricted too.


Is this like how some schools require clear backpacks to prevent drugs or is this just to keep the hallways less crowded?
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2026 22:36     Subject: School supplies for middle school
At Gunston (and likely at other APS middle schools), kids wear backpacks to school but then have to leave them in their lockers until the end of the day. They just take out what they need for class - iPad, pencil, notebook, and water bottle. Some kids tried to carry small tote bags or see-through bags so they didn't drop everything but eventually those were restricted too.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2026 13:10     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Anonymous wrote:Unless you receive communications over the summer, I would just get a few basics like pencils, pens, erasers, folders, a couple notebooks, mainly for personal, not classroom use. Teachers will usually have course-specific requests during the first week. My child (now an 8th grader) brought the items in stages. Students can’t bring backpacks to class anyway (at least at Gunston) so everything has to be carried in their arms.


My kid will be in 6th grade at Gunston. Are kids carrying around trapper keepers or something like that between classes? Didn't realize there were no backpacks.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2026 08:26     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Unless you receive communications over the summer, I would just get a few basics like pencils, pens, erasers, folders, a couple notebooks, mainly for personal, not classroom use. Teachers will usually have course-specific requests during the first week. My child (now an 8th grader) brought the items in stages. Students can’t bring backpacks to class anyway (at least at Gunston) so everything has to be carried in their arms.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2026 13:58     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do APS middle schools send home a school supply list? Does that come in the summer or in the beginning of the year? (I'm used to our elementary school where we just purchase kits through the PTA).


It's June 5th!


It's Arlington. The schools want you to buy supplies NOW.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2026 15:16     Subject: Re:School supplies for middle school
This is for Williamsburg

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/post/sprout-school-supply-kits/
Anonymous
Post 06/05/2026 16:17     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Anonymous wrote:Do APS middle schools send home a school supply list? Does that come in the summer or in the beginning of the year? (I'm used to our elementary school where we just purchase kits through the PTA).


It's June 5th!
Anonymous
Post 06/05/2026 16:15     Subject: School supplies for middle school
I found supply list online for Swanson. For past 3 years, I bought everything but teachers only asked for several items: tissues, hand sanitizer, pencils and dry erase markers. I tried to unload the other items but teachers said not needed, so I have a large stash of pens, markers, erasers, glue sticks and graph paper.. and I will donate it all to an elementary school in September.
Anonymous
Post 06/05/2026 12:53     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Anonymous wrote:I receive the above advice but then found all of my 6th grader's teacher expected everything on the list. There were no changes. I'd buy the supplies, keep the receipt in case.


PP here. Maybe it varies by school. We are at Gunston.
Anonymous
Post 06/05/2026 11:30     Subject: School supplies for middle school
My DD used barely any supplies in MS since most everything was online. She used folders to store papers, lots of pencils, and a notebook or two.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2026 22:27     Subject: School supplies for middle school
I receive the above advice but then found all of my 6th grader's teacher expected everything on the list. There were no changes. I'd buy the supplies, keep the receipt in case.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2026 22:01     Subject: School supplies for middle school
They might post a list, but don’t trust it, as what teachers want them to have often differs. Just send your child with notebook, pencil, etc on the first day, and teachers will let them know what they need.

APS middle schools tend not to allow backpacks in class after the first week or so, so many kids use a zipped trapper keeper thing.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2026 14:50     Subject: School supplies for middle school
Do APS middle schools send home a school supply list? Does that come in the summer or in the beginning of the year? (I'm used to our elementary school where we just purchase kits through the PTA).