Back to School Month

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Children Parents
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every August
Holiday emoji:: 📚

Back to School Month takes place every August, marking a crucial period for students, parents, and teachers to prepare for the upcoming academic year. This observance motivates families to organize, shop for supplies, and mentally transition from summer break. Get ready to embrace new learning opportunities and set the stage for a productive school year.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Traditions
Stats

Expected Back to School Month Deals

As Back to School Month approaches, retailers gear up with significant promotions. Historically, major stores like Target, Walmart, and Staples offer deep discounts on school supplies, electronics, and apparel. Tech companies such as Apple and Microsoft often provide student and educator discounts on laptops and software. Apparel brands like Old Navy and Gap Kids run sales on uniforms and everyday wear. Expect online giants like Amazon to feature extensive back-to-school hubs with competitive pricing. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August approaches.

Platform Guide for Back to School Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BackToSchoolMonth. Share visually appealing flat lays of school supplies, ‘day in the life’ content for students, or organizational hacks for parents.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BackToSchoolMonth. Engage with local parent groups, share community events, or host a Q&A session with an educator.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #BackToSchoolMonth. Create short, engaging videos showcasing back-to-school hauls, DIY locker decorations, or humorous skits about returning to class.

Back to School Month Hero

Horace Mann

Horace Mann (1796–1859) was an American educational reformer and politician, often called the 'Father of the Common School Movement.' As Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, he advocated for public, non-sectarian education and teacher training. His efforts laid the groundwork for the modern American public school system, emphasizing universal access to quality education.

Back to School Month timeline

1918

Elementary school became a requirement

This was the first year that all 50 states required students to complete their elementary schooling.

1727

The first school for girls opened

Ursuline Academy, a Catholic school in New Orleans established by the Sister of the Order of Saint Ursula, became the first school to open exclusively for girls.

1639

Tax dollars support a North American school

The Mather School, founded in Dorchester, MA, became the first public school in North America supported by tax dollars.

1636

Higher education began

Clergyman John Harvard founded his namesake Ivy League school in Cambridge, MA.

1635

The first school is founded

Boston Latin School opened its doors, becoming the first public school in the colonies.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Back to School Month

Local businesses can actively participate in Back to School Month by offering special discounts for students, teachers, and school staff. Restaurants might create ‘kid-friendly’ meal deals, while clothing boutiques could host ‘back-to-school fashion’ events. Stationery stores can organize supply drives for underprivileged students, partnering with local schools. Service businesses, like tutoring centers or after-school programs, can offer introductory packages or free workshops to help students start strong.

Back To School By The Numbers

180— is the average required school days in U. S.

⅓ — the fraction of total students who start school between August 12 and August 16.

$696.70 — the average amount spent on back-to-school shopping in 2019.

2019 — the year when half of all back-to-school shopping was done online.

50.8 million — the number of students enrolled in Fall 2019, the highest ever.

6.8 hours — the average school day.

$12,000 — the average spending by U.S. public schools per student.

49.4 million — the number of public school students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 12 in fall 2020.

Back to School Month FAQs

When is Back to School Month?

Back to School Month 2026 runs throughout August, from Saturday, August 1, to Monday, August 31. It’s the perfect time to get organized for the upcoming academic year.

How much do families spend on back-to-school supplies?

According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school spent an average of $890 on back-to-school items in 2025. This figure covers clothing, supplies, and electronics.

What is the primary goal of Back to School Month?

The primary goal of Back to School Month is to help students, parents, and educators transition smoothly into the new academic year. This includes preparing mentally, organizing resources, and acquiring necessary supplies.

What are common back-to-school traditions?

Common traditions include back-to-school shopping for new clothes and supplies, attending ‘meet the teacher’ events, and taking first-day-of-school photos. Many families also enjoy a final summer outing before classes resume.

Back to School Month Activities

Host a fundraiser
Celebrate Back to School Month by putting together a fundraising event that raises money to buy school supplies (textbooks, calculators, writing tools, notebooks) — and donate them to schools in need or kids in local shelters.
Set up a fun, but educational, obstacle course
Set up stations that will teach smart driving skills, safe walking practices, and the best ways to wear/pack a backpack. To keep this course within the theme, hide school-related prizes throughout, such as notebooks, planners, pens and pencils, and backpacks.
Volunteer at your local school
Get involved by helping new students. Typically, this entails showing them around their new school grounds — keeping in mind that a friendly demeanor will also help calm their nerves. If you have kids in their school, consider giving them your child’s contact information so they can start to build their friend network.

The 4 Back-to-school Facts Guaranteed To Make You Smarter

There’s a diagnosable fear about going to school
Didaskaleinophobia, an acute fear of going to school, affects approximately 2.4 percent of children.
Apples and teachers go way back
Parents in 16th-century Denmark started sending their kids to school with an apple because teachers weren’t making enough money to buy food.
School supplies are expensive
On average, families spend $700 on school supplies every year — which means the school supply industry makes approximately $80 billion annually from these sales.
It's a ritual
Including college, approximately 78 million students go back to school every fall.

Why We Love Back to School Month

It preps everyone for the new school year
August serves as a reminder to teach kids about school safety, get the back-to-school shopping done, finish up the summer reading list, and purchase supplies.
It promotes safe driving
Whether your child is driving to school for the first time, taking the bus, bicycling, or walking with friends, Back to School Month is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids how to stay safe. This includes focusing on where they're going (rather than texting), being aware of crosswalks, respecting the speed limit, utilizing safety equipment (seat belts, helmets, etc.), and walking in front of the bus rather than behind it.
It takes us out of our summer coma
That means earlier bedtimes, more reading, less TV, and prepping for scheduled days rather than laid back ones.