Back-to-School in Acadiana: Supply Lists, Calendars, and Fees
(KMDL-FM) Can you believe that in less than three weeks, many of you will have children returning to school for the 2026-2027 school year in Acadiana? It does seem as if the summer months have flown by, but now is the time that parents and caregivers have to be planning for that second week in August when almost every school system in South Louisiana begins classes for the new term.
Naturally, parents want to make sure their students are properly supplied for back-to-school. That means pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, and some other items that you or I probably didn't need to bring when we were in school.
Also, back in the day, when we were students and not the adults we didn't have to think about how much all of these school supplies might cost; now that we are older and responsible for our kids' education, we realize just how big of a bite that is out of a family's budget.
How Much Will the Average Louisiana Family Spend Per Child on Back-to-School?
A typical Louisiana family will spend between $557 and $611 per child on back-to-school essentials. The bulk of the cost is made up by purchases of new clothes and shoes for school. But the parental outlay for school supplies is about $140 per child.
READ MORE: When Is Louisiana's Next Sales Tax Holiday?
If Louisiana had a Sales Tax Holiday for back-to-school, you'd save about $7 on the pens and paper and other supplies. If you were able to get Tax Holiday savings on all of your back-to-school purchases, you'd wind up saving between $27.85 and $35.00 per child.
How Much Money Would a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Save You?
So, if you have four kids, the Tax Holiday would have saved you between $111.40 and $140. Which would be real money, but your elected officials in Baton Rouge don't think Louisiana families need a Sales Tax Holiday for back-to-school or hurricane preparedness, for that matter.
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Each school system has published a list of items required for students. In many cases, those lists include a listing of classroom and educational fees that will need to be collected at the beginning of the school year.
As you would imagine, the supply lists from each parish school system are very similar. Here are the links to those lists. In some cases, the school system has the list broken down by school, by grade, or by elementary, middle school, or high school.
When Do Kids in Acadiana Go Back to School and What Supplies Do They Need?
Acadia Parish Schools: The first day of classes in Acadia Parish is August 11. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar. (Note: the calendar for the upcoming school year was not available at the time of publication)
Evangeline Parish Schools: The first day of classes in Evangeline Parish is August 6th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
Iberia Parish Schools: The first day of classes in Iberia Parish is August 6th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
Jefferson Davis Parish Schools: The first day of classes in Jeff Davis Parish is August 14th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
Lafayette Parish Schools: The first day of classes for Lafayette Parish is August 12th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
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St.Landry Parish Schools: The first day of classes for St.Landry Parish is August 13th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
St.Martin Parish Schools: The first day of classes for St Martin Parish is August 10th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
Vermilion Parish Schools: The first day of classes in Vermilion Parish is August 13th. Here is the link to the list of required school supplies. See the school system's calendar.
READ MORE: How to Have Your Child's School Supplies Shipped to Your Home
You know, Mom and Dad, now would be the best time to review your school transportation needs. You might want to confirm that the bus stop from last year is the bus stop this year and that the schedules and bus numbers haven't changed.
It might also be a good time to find your child's backpack from last year. I hope you don't find any leftover lunches or snacks, but that can happen. And if you're not sure what kind of snacks you're going to need for the new school year. If you want these you better get to the store quick.
Snacks Disappearing from Louisiana Stores in 2026
Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham
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