The Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) has released the official list of essential school supplies for the 2026-2027 academic cycle, which begins on August 31, 2026. To mitigate financial strain on families, the department mandates that schools limit requests to basic, indispensable materials and encourages the reuse of items from previous years.
Standardized Supply Lists for Primary and Secondary Grades
For primary education, the SEP has established a minimum list of materials tailored to specific grade levels. First and second-grade students require two professional-sized grid notebooks, one lined notebook, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, blunt-tipped scissors, adhesive glue, and 50 white sheets. Second-grade students must also include a bicolor pencil.
Third-grade students move to small-grid notebooks, while fourth- through sixth-grade students require four small-grid notebooks, a geometry set, highlighters, and pens. For all three years of secondary school, the SEP recommends one notebook per subject, a geometry set, pens, highlighters, and colored pencils. Teachers in specialized subjects like Arts, Physical Education, or laboratory sciences may request additional materials, provided these are agreed upon with families and do not create an excessive economic burden.
Pre-school Requirements and Institutional Guidelines
Unlike primary and secondary levels, the SEP does not mandate a nationwide list for pre-school. Instead, materials are determined by educators at each individual school in coordination with parents. Common items often requested for these early learning projects include various types of paper, paints, brushes, crayons, scissors, glue, and non-toxic modeling clay.
Did You Know? The upcoming school year will run from August 31, 2026, to July 9, 2027, with a designated “recess of classes” period scheduled from July 10 to July 31, 2027.
Calendar Highlights and Academic Breaks
The 2026-2027 calendar includes several long weekends, or “puentes,” driven by either the suspension of teaching duties or sessions of the Technical School Council (CTE). The first long weekend is scheduled for September 25, 2026, due to a CTE meeting. Other notable breaks include the period from October 30 to November 2, 2026, and the weekend of November 13–16, 2026.
Significant mid-week suspensions include the celebration of Independence Day on September 16, 2026, and the Battle of Puebla commemoration on May 5, 2027. Additionally, the pre-registration period for the 2027-2028 academic cycle is set for February 2 through February 12, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are schools allowed to ask for additional materials beyond the SEP list?
Teachers may suggest extra materials for specific projects, but the SEP requires that these requests be discussed with families and must not place an undue financial burden on them.
When will the first long weekend of the 2026-2027 cycle occur?
The first “puente” begins on Friday, September 25, 2026, due to a Technical School Council session, with students returning to classes on Monday, September 28.
Is there a uniform list of supplies for pre-school students?
No, the SEP does not provide a national list for pre-school. Materials are defined by educators at each school in agreement with the families based on their specific curriculum and projects.
How do you typically manage the costs associated with annual school supply requirements?
