How much are parents around the country spending on back-to-school supplies? According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Americans will drop about $8.6 billion this month on pens, notebooks, lunch boxes and more. NPR’s new education blog took a closer look at those costs by surveying nine schools around the country, including Atherton Elementary in Arlington. It checked each school’s recommended “supply list” for first, third and fifth graders. The verdict? Arlington tops the informal survey — supplies for an Atherton third grader will cost $122.
The cheapest list comes from Palmer, Alaska — where a fifth grader at Butte, Elementary only has to shell out $15. Click on the link below to see the complete results, including what kids are required to bring to school these days.
