Back-to-School Survey 2023 — Results
Here are the results from our Back-to-School Survey 2023. Thank you to all who participated!
Are you shopping for back-to-school supplies this year?
(if “yes”) What grade(s) are you shopping for? (select all that apply)
- K-4 (38%)
- 5-8 (31%)
- 9-12 (29%)
- College (27%)
- Pre-K (15%)
- Other [please specify] (5%)
(if “yes”) Do you expect to spend more or less than last year on back-to-school supplies?
- More (50%)
- The same as last year (33%)
- Less (17%)
(if “yes”) How will you be doing the majority of your back-to-school shopping?
- Shopping online (54%)
- Going to physical stores (46%)
(if “yes”) How much do you typically spend per child on back-to-school supplies?
- $50 to $100 (39%)
- $101 to $250 (26%)
- Less than $50 (21%)
- $251 to $500 (9%)
- More than $500 (5%)
Are/were you a parent?
(if “yes”) Do/did you take your kids shopping for back-to-school supplies?
- Yes, I let them pick out their own school supplies. (73%)
- No, I leave them at home. (27%)
(if “yes”) Do/did you prefer to give your kids money for lunch or pack them lunch?
- I pack them lunch (68%)
- I give them lunch money (32%)
(if “yes”) How do/did your kids get to school every day? (select all that apply)
- I drive them to school (55%)
- My kids take the bus (39%)
- My kids walk to school (14%)
- Other [please specify] (10%)
- My kids ride in a carpool (5%)
(if “yes”) If your kid was struggling with their homework, what would you do? (select all that apply)
- Help them yourself (89%)
- Call their teacher (26%)
- Hire a tutor (23%)
- Other [please specify] (5%)
(if “yes”) Do/did your kids participate in extracurricular activities/after school programs (i.e. sports, clubs, community classes, etc.)?
(if “yes”) On average, how much do/did you spend per kid on extracurricular activities/after school programs each year?
- $100 to $500 (46%)
- $501 to $1000 (21%)
- Less than $100 (17%)
- More than $1000 (16%)
(if “yes”) Are/were you a stay at home parent?
(if “yes”) What do/did you do when your kids are at school? (select all that apply)
- Clean (79%)
- Run errands [i.e grocery shopping, etc] (74%)
- Cook (66%)
- Home improvement/DIY (39%)
- Gardening (33%)
- Work from home/run a business (31%)
- Work a part-time job (24%)
- Go to the gym/fitness classes (24%)
- Go out with friends (17%)
- Continuing education classes (15%)
- Other [please specify] (9%)
When do/did you typically start shopping for back-to-school supplies?
- Late summer (40%)
- Throughout the year (28%)
- Middle of summer [peak season] (25%)
- Once school ends [late spring/early summer] (6%)
Which of the following do you plan to do in order to save money this back-to-school season? (select all that apply)
- Shopping sales (73%)
- Using a cash back website (61%)
- Using coupons (59%)
- Reusing last year’s back-to-school supplies (39%)
- Shopping during off-seasons (26%)
- Shopping at thrift stores (14%)
- I don’t plan on using any savings (7%)
- Other [please specify] (5%)
Do you plan to shop back-to-school sales?
(if “yes”) What’s on your shopping list for back-to-school sales? (select all that apply)
- School supplies [notebooks, pens, backpack, etc.] (86%)
- New clothes and shoes (77%)
- Technology/appliances [new computer, new phone, mini fridge, etc.] (39%)
- Sports equipment (20%)
- Dorm necessities (13%)
- Other [please specify] (2%)
Do/did you give teacher gifts for teacher appreciation, first day of school, holidays etc?
Do you think homework is beneficial for students?
What’s your go-to excuse when you didn’t do your homework? (select up to 2 responses)
- I told the truth. (44%)
- “I left it at home.” (23%)
- “I didn’t understand the assignment.” (23%)
- “I was sick/had a family emergency.” (17%)
- “I didn’t know there was an assignment.” (11%)
- Other [please specify] (7%)
- “I left it at school over the weekend.” (6%)
- “My dog/pet ate it.” (2%)
Did you ever start/participate in a food fight?
Did you ever fall asleep in class?
Did you ever skip school?
The survey polled a cross-section of 2,997 adults, aged 18 and over.
