Early Planning, Greater Impact: Preparing for a Successful School Supply Kit Program
Jan 13th 2026
Happy New Year! We hope your 2026 is off to a great start!
Let's get right down to business. Are you ready to start planning your school supply kit program for the fall 2026 school year? If you are new to the school supply kit scene, you might be thinking, “Hold on a second, it is only January! School does not start for another 7-8 months!” While that is all true, the fact of the matter is that planning a school supply kit program requires time and coordination, which is why now is the perfect time to get started.
Planning a Successful School Supply Kit Program
Yes, setting up a school supply kit program does require some planning, but don’t worry, we will help you every step of the way! Our team is here to support you with everything from updating school supply lists and kit prices to building your online store, right down to delivery day. So, whether you are new to the role of managing your school’s supply kit sale or your school has never participated in a school supply kit program, know that we are here to help.
While school may not start until late summer or early fall, there is a method to our madness. We pride ourselves on delivering all school supply kits prior to the first day of school, so our team definitely has some work to do between now and September.
To give you a better idea of the steps most school supply kit companies and schools follow to implement a successful sale, check out the timeline of events below for an idea of what to expect throughout the entire process.
Finalizing Your 2026-27 School Supply Lists
From January to March, our partnering schools work with their teachers from each grade to finalize their 2026-27 classroom school supply lists. Once we receive a final school supply list from our school contact, we enter each grade’s list into our system and deliver 2026 prices per kit back to the school for review. While finalizing your lists, you have the opportunity to choose between name brand school supplies like Elmer's, Ticonderoga and Crayola or value option products offered in our Sprout Saver category. After review and edits from the school, supply lists are finalized, approved, and signed off on.
Opening Your Online School Supply Kit Store
Typically, school stores start to open online in April. Once supply lists are approved by the school, our Sprout web team builds an online store unique for each school community and branded with the school's logo. Once the store is live, parents are able to go online and purchase kits for their students. It is our mission to make back-to-school super easy for families. In just a few clicks, back-to-school shopping is complete. No more shopping in crowded stores or searching for hard-to-find school supplies.
Promoting Kit Sales
Depending on when lists are finalized and approved, school supply kit sales run from April through early June or July. Our Sprout marketing team has created sales and marketing materials and social media posts that are as easy as copying and pasting into whatever marketing platform you choose. These marketing communication pieces were designed to help your school's team keep parents informed about sale information and order deadlines. We have found that consistent communication with parents throughout the supply kit sale, whether through email, website, or social media posts, results in a more successful school supply kit program.
It's Time to Make the School Supply Kits
All online school stores officially close in early June or July, depending on the school location. Once the sales are closed, the magic begins at Sprout, and our team begins packing school supplies into the kits. At Sprout, our team is committed to packing each kit with a focus on quality and delivering the exact school supplies requested for each grade at each school.
Delivery Day
School supply kit deliveries usually happen from mid-August to early September (but can happen anytime between May and September, depending on bulk school supply needs, back-to-school events or community outreach programs). Based on the delivery dates chosen by each school, we promise on-time delivery prior to the first day of school. Delivering supply kits within a school’s chosen delivery timeframe is a top priority at Sprout. We believe all students should have the proper tools to learn on the very first day of school, so they are set up for a successful school year.
Let’s Get the Ball Rolling
So, while next fall does seem like it is in the distant future, there are important steps in place over the next few months that help set our schools up for success. Sprout also offers ways for schools to give back to their own school community during their sale, a Pay-It-Forward program for deserving students, bulk school supply orders, and opportunities for organizations and nonprofits to partner with Sprout for back-to-school events and community involvement with our Kits for Kids Program.
If you are interested in learning more about Sprout School Supplies, please contact us at info@sproutsupplies.com or request more information at https://sproutsupplies.com/request-quote-schools.