Back-to-School Teacher Prep Checklist

Part of the Back-to-School Guide for Teachers hub.

A back-to-school teacher prep checklist is a task-based list covering classroom setup, family communication, curriculum review, and technology, meant to turn a long list of before-school tasks into something you can work through one item at a time.

There's too much to do before day one, and not enough time to do it. A checklist doesn't make the work disappear, but it does turn overwhelm into just a list, one you can actually check items off of.

Families with school-age kids plan to spend an average of $863.86 on back-to-school this year, and teachers add to that out of their own pockets too, often $665 to $895 a year depending on the survey. Whatever your budget looks like, this checklist is built to help you use the time you do have well.

Your Back-to-School Classroom Checklist

Classroom Environment

• Arrange desks or tables for your planned instructional style (rows, groups, flexible seating)
• Set up a welcome bulletin board or display (see our bulletin board ideas)
• Label supply bins, cubbies, or storage areas
• Post classroom rules and daily routines somewhere visible
• Test any classroom technology (projector, smartboard, speakers) before day one

Family Communication

• Draft a welcome letter or email introducing yourself and the year ahead
• Share how and when families can best reach you
• Set expectations for how often report cards or progress updates will go home
• Confirm emergency contact and allergy information is up to date

Curriculum and Standards Review

• Review grade-level standards for the first unit
• Identify which students may need review of prior-grade material early on
• Plan your first two weeks of lessons at a high level
• Gather or print any assessment materials you'll need in the first month

Technology and Tools

• Set up class rosters in any platforms you use, including Prodigy
• Test student logins before the first day if possible
• Confirm which tools are approved for classroom use at your school
• Bookmark or organize the tools you'll use most often

Grade-Level Expectations: What to Review Before September

Standards are set at the state level, so grade-level expectations vary depending on where you teach. Most states base their math standards on Common Core or a close variant, so reviewing your state's grade-level standards document for the first unit is the most reliable way to confirm what your students should already know coming in, and where the year's instruction needs to begin.

The good news for framing this conversation with families: the latest federal long-term trend data shows nine-year-olds gained four points in both reading and math since 2022, with the largest gains among the lowest-performing students. That's a "build on this" story, not a "catch up" one.

Setting Up Prodigy Before the First Week

If Prodigy is part of your plan this year, setup is quick enough to knock out in one sitting:

• Create your free teacher account at sso.prodigygame.com/teachers/signup
• Set up your class and add your roster
• Review the Placement Test, which runs automatically each August and January to place students at the right level
• Decide how Prodigy fits into your routine, many teachers use 15 to 20 minutes a day as a starting point
• Bookmark your reports dashboard so you can check in on progress as the term gets going

When teachers implement Prodigy intentionally, student math achievement grows measurably.* Keeping practice time bounded and purposeful, rather than open-ended, is part of what makes that consistency work.

“I've seen a 45% increase in my standardized testing scores thanks to playing at least 25 minutes a day in Prodigy. The bulk of their Prodigy time is in the morning when their mind is still fresh for learning and it also helps them get settled in for the rest of the day's learning.”

Clayton Carr, Teacher

Common Questions About Back-to-School Prep

When should I start my back-to-school checklist?

Most teachers find two to three weeks before the first day is enough time to work through classroom setup, communication, and curriculum review without rushing.

How long does it take to set up a Prodigy classroom?

Creating an account and adding your roster takes about 15 minutes. From there, the Placement Test and reports run automatically as students start playing.

What should I review before the first day of math class?

Your state's grade-level standards for the first unit, plus a quick sense of which students may need review of prior-grade material, are the most useful things to check before day one.

Set up your Prodigy class now, takes 15 minutes before school starts

*Among multiple studies commissioned by Prodigy Education. Individual results may vary, results are not guaranteed. Studies may be viewed here.