Back-to-school season can be tough for some teachers and students

Many families throughout DeKalb County are getting prepared for a new school year by going shopping for supplies, bookbags, clothes, and other necessities that help make that first day back in the classroom more manageable. 

But for too many students and teachers, the back-to-school grind to get ready without going broke is all too real.  

According to data published by U.S. News, in the 2025–2026 school year, more than 56 percent of students in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) were considered economically disadvantaged, meaning they were eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal guidelines. 

“This figure is based on the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of economic disadvantage, and it does not include other poverty measures such as SNAP receipt or foster care status, which are tracked separately,” explained U.S. News.  

With more than half of DCSD students and their families struggling financially, teachers and other staff members are often left with the burden of providing classroom items, working with a tight salary of their own.  

According to the online fundraising platform donorschoose.org, which raises funds for specific projects and needed classroom supplies, more than 200 requests are currently active on the website from DCSD staff. 

These fundraising efforts range from a Druid Hills Middle School teacher asking for donations that will go towards age-appropriate classroom books to an Eldridge Miller Elementary School educator raising funds to provide her students in need with pencils, markers, and more. 

It is often up to the surrounding community, year after year, to help local students and teachers through efforts like supply collection drives.  

For those of us lucky enough to have the means to donate to such efforts, let’s do our part to make sure to set up our students and educators for success.