As nearly 100,000 students prepare to step back into the classroom and into a new chapter of their lives, they want to stand out with the flashiest backpack, the newest colored pencils and the most eye-catching lunchbox. However, the price for purchasing such items can be pricey, and in the nation’s capital the costs are not equitable for basic school necessities.
“Many families have already begun shopping for uniforms and school supplies — I know I have. Uniform pants for my toddler are $25 a piece, a pack of unsharpened pencils is about $3, up a whole dollar in just 2 years,” said Hilary Daniel, a Northeast, D.C. resident and mother of two students in District of Columbia Public Schools.
In the District, major store chains that supply school supplies cheaply are few and far between, leaving many families to resort to local back-to-school drives and trek across the city just to get materials cheaply.
“We believe every child deserves to start the school year with confidence and the supplies they need to succeed,” said Georgette Davies, founder and CEO of Balloons Magic & Bliss LLC and Visage Glamour LLC, who will be offering school supplies, vaccinations and a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family in Beltsville on Aug. 22. “Back-to-school shopping has become a financial challenge for so many families, especially in this time, a lot of parents have lost their jobs.”
What’s most stark is how areas of D.C. with higher poverty have very few options when it comes to chain grocery and dollar store options, compared to the wealthier areas of the nation’s capital.
Ward 8, which has an average of 30.6% and 41% of children living below the poverty line, the highest in the District — and only contains two chain store options: a Giant Food grocery store and a CVS Pharmacy.
As a result, the cost of school materials for these areas tends to be higher, with Wards 7 and 8, which are predominantly African American, having the highest average school supply costs in the District.
High prices in these wards additionally align with D.C.’s poverty rate and median household income data.
With the highest school supply costs in the District, Wards 7 and 8 residents have turned to back-to-school drives around the DMV to supply their school material needs.
“The rising costs of day to day supplies are steadily increasing, but many families, especially those east of the river, aren’t seeing an increase in income,” Daniel, who worked at a District elementary east of the Anacostia River during the 2025-2026 school year. “My advice to families would be to stay informed of local organizations having back-to-school events. Many of these events give away backpacks with supplies, free haircuts and styles for children, and are often calls for clothing drives and you can find some nice, new or gently worn clothes to get your little ones ready for the new school year.”
Events in Ward 8, such as the 14th Annual Bellevue Back to School Bash, donate more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies every August, with this year’s event taking place Aug. 6.
While in Ward 7, local governmental agencies such as the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services host Back2School events, providing free school supplies, uniforms and more.
With her event in Beltsville on Aug. 22, Davies’ hopes families across the DMV area can tap into all the resources provided and feel prepared for the 2026-2027 school year.
“A lot of people have been laid off which is why we’re proud to present our second annual Back-to-School Community Event,” Davies, told The Informer about her Aug. 22 event. “As we work toward establishing our nonprofit organization, giving back to the community has always been at the heart of our mission, and we’re honored to help ease that burden one family at a time.”
No matter how one gets their supplies, Daniel said it’s important to prioritize having all the tools students need to thrive in and outside of the classroom.
“Having adequate supplies at the start of the year is just as important as having a good breakfast to start your day,” the mother and 14-year educator told The Informer. “It truly makes a difference!”
