Student backpack (affiliate) organization is important to success in school, especially for older students. I'm going to show you how I help my child organize their backpack (affiliate) for easy access. Note: This involves paper management and will help them if they have finals or midterms and need to reference these papers. I'm going to share how we set up my child's bag and offer some other backpack (affiliate) organization tips for different age groups. I hope it helps you and your child, too.
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- Back story
- Who can use this backpack organization?
- Supplies to store in the backpack
- How to Organize the Backpack and Backpack Organization Tips
- How many tabs for each course?
- Clean the backpack
- Purchase Supplies Needed
- Vertical Expandable File Folder Options
- Label the tabs
- Add a course name label to the front.
- Add to the Backpack and Reveal
- Student Backpack Organization tips
- How to choose the right backpack for paper management
- A weekly backpack reset routine (5 minutes on Sunday)
- Backpack organization mistakes to avoid
- Backpack organization for elementary school kids
- How to organize the front smaller pocket of the backpack?
- How long will this project take?
- What to do at the end of each semester?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Backpack Organization
Key Takeaways
- Effective backpack (affiliate) organization tips help students manage papers and supplies more efficiently.
- Consider the number of sections needed for each subject when organizing backpacks (affiliate).
- Use vertical accordion folders and label (affiliate) them for easy access to materials.
- Regularly clean and maintain the backpack (affiliate) to keep supplies in order throughout the school year.
- Establish a designated spot for the backpack (affiliate) at home to enhance organization and accessibility.
Back story
I have two great kids, and both of them are in high school. At their high school, the kids carry around their backpacks. Last year, they needed a 1-inch binder (affiliate) for each subject, and my poor son carried around five binders (affiliate) and two folders that were never used except to hold a spiral notebook and the pockets (filled to the brim with handouts and tests all jammed into one). By the end of the year, when he had to gather his papers to review for finals, he was so overwhelmed. He said never again. We needed a better way for him to manage all the documents so he could refer to them at the end of the school year. So, to help him organize his backpack, we decided to do something different this year.
Who can use this backpack organization?
First, let me say that this backpack organization style is great for middle schoolers and high schoolers, but it can also be used by college students who are commuters. All three types of children need to be able to keep their belongings organized and easily accessible while on the go.
Supplies to store in the backpack
Here are the supplies to store in the backpack.
- Dry erase markers
- Academic planner or Order Out of Chaos® Academic Planners - Student Academic Planners (affiliate)
- Pencils
- Pens
- Scientific Calculator
- Backpack vertical expandable folders
- Spiral notebooks
These are affiliate links from Amazon (affiliate). If you click through and make a purchase on their website, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting my small business.
How to Organize the Backpack and Backpack Organization Tips
First, we determined the number of sections (tabs (affiliate)) required for each subject. Below is what we came up with.
How many tabs for each course?
Each accordion folder (affiliate) tab had these titles. It was in this order from front to back since the notebook would have been pulled from each day, and the other dividers were just reference sections.
For English and German Classes
In these accordion folders for these courses, they will most likely need four sections (tabs (affiliate)).
- Notebook
- Vocabulary
- Handouts/Worksheets
- Quizzes/Tests
For European History and Algebra II
These types of courses may only need three tabs (affiliate) in each respective accordion folder.
- Notebook
- Handouts/Worksheets
- Quizzes/Tests
For Biology
Science courses will probably need four tabs (affiliate) for the accordion folder because they usually have lab classes.
- Notebook
- Lab
- Handouts/Worksheets
- Quizzes/Tests
For Chorus and Health
And, for the chorus and health class, you probably only need folders with pockets. We had a folder with pockets and loose-leaf paper attached in the center for each of these courses.
Clean the backpack
Then, we washed his backpack from last year. This bag lasts two years, and we keep buying them because they are durable and can withstand a boy's use.
Tip: The key (affiliate) to successful paper management is to have an easy system to maintain & retrieve.
Purchase Supplies Needed
Then, I found these vertical accordion backpack folders (affiliate) with six tabs (affiliate) and seven spaces at Target (I provided the link above from Amazon (affiliate); Target may not have them). Choose one without a stiff lid, since it will be an issue for the student when trying to place a paper in the folder. You can cut off the lid if you can't find another option.
Vertical Expandable File Folder Options
Vertical Expanding Accordion Folder with 7 Pockets Paperwork Organizer Document
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Vertical Expanding File Folder 5 Pockets w/Tab, 1 pack
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Vertical File Folder, 13 Pockets Vertical File Folder Accordion File Organizer
Buy Now →(affiliate)
Label the tabs
Next, I used a black (affiliate) marker to write the sections on the tabs (affiliate) inside the vertical accordion folder for each subject. I used the label (affiliate) that came with the accordion folder and folded two of the labels together so it wouldn't slide out when the accordion folder is turned on its side. It's so annoying when a tab slides out of an accordion folder.
The original waterproof name label for kids and families.
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Check out my post: Incredible Tips on Labeling Kids' School Supplies, where I use these labels and give tons of tips!
Add a course name label to the front.
I labeled each accordion folder (affiliate) in the front and on top with 1-inch label maker (affiliate) labels (affiliate). He wanted to keep the lids so he could easily see the subject on top when he opened up the bag. As a Professional Organizer, I have a professional label maker (affiliate), but if you don't have one, you can write the subjects on tape and create your own labels (affiliate).
Add to the Backpack and Reveal
We then placed the accordion folders in the backpack in order of his schedule so my son would first use the front section in the morning and the second section in the afternoon. Here is how it looks from the top.
If you are looking for an academic planner, check out my post for purchase options and details on how we used it.
Student Backpack Organization tips
Below are some additional tips to help you organize the backpack.
- To reference, ensure that the child has a list of their classes with them before organizing the backpack.
- Place the vertical accordion folders in the order of the classes.
- Purchase vertical accordion folders with covers to keep the papers in place.
- If your child also has a tablet for school use, ensure the tablet or laptop is placed in the front so that when they open their backpack, they can easily access it.
- Have your child practice using the backpack so they know where everything is stored a few times before the start of school.
- Be sure to have a place for the backpack when they return home, preferably near the front door for easy access.
How to choose the right backpack for paper management
Before you set up the inside of the backpack, the bag itself matters. Not every backpack works well with the vertical accordion folder system. Here is what I look for when shopping for one of my kids.
- Main compartment depth - Look for a backpack with a main compartment that is at least 16 inches deep so vertical accordion folders sit upright and do not flop over.
- Padded laptop sleeve - If your child carries a Chromebook, iPad, or laptop, a dedicated padded sleeve protects the device and keeps it separate from the paper accordion folders.
- Two-way zippers - Two-way zippers on the main compartment make it easier to grab the correct accordion folder without unloading everything.
- Padded, adjustable straps - Heavy paper loads can strain shoulders. Look for at least 1.5-inch padded straps and a sternum strap for kids carrying five or more accordion folders.
- Water-resistant fabric - Wet bus stops and spills happen. A water-resistant exterior protects your paper management system.
- Side water bottle pocket - Keeping water out of the main compartment is non-negotiable when paper is the whole point of the system.
A weekly backpack reset routine (5 minutes on Sunday)
The hardest part of any organizing system is maintenance. With two teens in my house over the years, I learned that a short weekly reset keeps the accordion folder (affiliate) system from collapsing into a pile of paper by mid-October.
Here is the 5-minute Sunday routine (affiliate) I have my kids do:
- Empty the front pencil pocket onto a flat surface and toss broken pencils, dried-out markers, and stray wrappers.
- Open each accordion folder (affiliate) and move any loose papers into the correct tab (Notebook, Vocabulary, Handouts, Quizzes/Tests).
- Pull out graded quizzes and tests older than two weeks and file them in the large (affiliate) home accordion folder (affiliate).
- Restock supplies - sharpened pencils, fresh erasers, and any handouts that need to be signed and returned.
- Check the academic planner for upcoming tests, projects, or events that week and confirm the right materials are in the bag or in the house.
Doing this with your child for the first month builds the habit. After that, they can usually run the reset themselves.
Backpack organization mistakes to avoid
After helping my clients' children and my own children organize backpacks (affiliate), I see the same mistakes over and over. Avoiding these will save you and your child a lot of frustration.
- Using folders instead of accordion folders. Plain two-pocket folders cannot hold a semester of handouts. Papers fall out, get bent, and end up at the bottom of the bag or are lost.
- Skipping the labels. Unlabeled accordion folders all look the same in a hurry between classes. Use a label maker (affiliate) or tape with a permanent marker (affiliate) so the subject is visible from the top.
- Letting papers pile up loose in the main compartment. Loose papers are the single biggest reason backpack systems fail. Every paper goes inside an accordion folder (affiliate) tab, not floating around.
- Carrying old graded papers all year. Quizzes and tests from September do not belong in the backpack in February. Move them home to the large (affiliate) accordion folder during the weekly reset. We had another large (affiliate) folder stored in the dining room.
- Overloading the backpack. Doctors recommend a loaded backpack weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of a child's body weight. If the bag is heavier, it is time to leave non-essential items at home or in the locker.
- Forgetting to clean the backpack. A dirty backpack with crumbs and old food invites pests and ruins paper. Wash the bag (most are machine washable on cold) at least twice a year.
Backpack organization for elementary school kids
Readers have asked whether this system works for younger kids. The full accordion folder setup is overkill for elementary students, but a simplified version works beautifully for kids in grades 3 through 5.
For elementary-age kids, I recommend:
- One two-pocket folder labeled "Take Home" for papers Mom or Dad needs to see and sign.
- One two-pocket folder labeled "Keep at School" or "go to school" for ongoing work that returns to the classroom.
- A "homework" folder with a clear front pocket so the assignment sheet is always visible.
- A small pencil pouch with two sharpened pencils, an eraser, a glue stick (affiliate), and child-safe (affiliate) scissors (affiliate) if the school allows them.
- A water bottle in the side pocket and a labeled lunch bag in the main compartment.
Keep it simple. The goal at this age is to teach the habit of putting papers in the right folder, not to build a finals review system.
How to organize the front smaller pocket of the backpack?
We can't forget the other pockets of the backpack. The front smaller pocket became his pencil case. This section holds his calculator, pens, pencils, erasers, dry erase markers (affiliate), index cards, and sticky notes (affiliate). By the way, the index cards are in a small spiral notebook, so he can tear them out and they don't get lost in his pocket.
How long will this project take?
This entire setup took one hour. It didn't take long, and hopefully, this organized system will help him throughout the year.
What to do at the end of each semester?
At the end of each semester, we store the prior semester's papers in a 13+ or 26-tabs large accordion folder (affiliate). This accordion folder stays home in his study area.
And, at the end of each marking period, he will take those papers and organize them by subject and by handouts, worksheets, quizzes, and tests. So, hopefully, this will help him find the appropriate documents he needs to review for the finals at the end of the year.
I hope this gives you some inspiration for organizing your child's backpack. I will update this post periodically with the process of how he maintains his backpack. Come back and often visit to see if he can keep it organized.
Let's continue the conversation. If you have any questions about paper management, please leave them below. I will do my best and reply as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backpack Organization
The best way to organize a high school backpack is to use one vertical accordion folder per subject, with labeled tabs inside each folder for the notebook, handouts, and quizzes or tests. Place the accordion folders in the bag in the order of the student's class schedule, with the morning subjects in front and the afternoon subjects in back. Keep all pens, pencils, and the calculator in the front pocket in a dedicated pencil case.
Most high school students need one vertical accordion folder per academic subject, which usually means four to six folders total. Classes like chorus, health, or art that have very few handouts can share a single two-pocket folder instead of a full accordion folder.
A loaded school backpack should weigh no more than 10 to 15 percent of a child's body weight, according to pediatric and orthopedic guidelines. For a 100-pound student, that means the backpack should not exceed 10 to 15 pounds. If the bag is heavier, leave non-essential items at home or in the locker.
I recommend a quick 5-minute backpack reset every Sunday during the school year and a full clean-out at the end of each marking period.
Wash the backpack itself at least twice a year, and always at the end of the school year before storing it for summer.
Yes. This vertical accordion folder system works very well for college commuters who move between classes and home.
Resident college students who can drop materials in their dorm between classes may prefer a lighter daypack with just the current day's folder and laptop.
Store old quizzes and tests in a 13-pocket or 26-pocket large accordion folder kept at home in your child's study area.
Move papers from the backpack to this home folder at the end of each marking period, organized by subject and document type. This makes finding reference material for midterms and finals fast and stress-free.
Setting up the full accordion folder system, including labeling, takes about one hour per student. Once the system is set up, the weekly Sunday reset takes only about 5 minutes to maintain.
You need one vertical accordion folder per subject, blank labels or a label maker, a permanent marker, an academic planner, spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, a scientific calculator, dry-erase markers, index cards, and sticky notes. A pencil pouch is optional if the backpack has a roomy front pocket.
For an ADHD student, keep the system as visual and consistent as possible. Use color-coded accordion folders so each subject has its own color, label everything in large, clear text, and limit the number of tabs inside each folder to three or four. Build the Sunday reset into the family routine for the first two months so the habit becomes automatic.
Janet Barclay says
Wow, students have to carry a lot more stuff than when we were kids! I'm impressed with the system you came up with.
Pamela Chollet says
These are fantastic ideas! I think your post should be included in every schools', "Supply" list. Kids academic performance increases with organization. Knowing exactly what items are and where items are located reduces a lot of a child's school stress and anxiety.
krystle cook says
I love the idea of organizing a backpack. I can totally see the use of this when you have so many binders and folders. Luckily for now my kids just have one folder and an agenda to keep up with. It's amazing how trashy the agenda looks by the end of the year...like it's been through war. Boys!
William Rusho says
A great post, bring me back to my high school days. I remember getting my backpack for high school, was a cloth one.
I also remember it being ripped and shredded when the rulers, book corners cut through it. Of course by that time, duct tape on back packs were in, and we all taped the wholes with it.
Jeri says
How awesome to see a parent go to such lengths to help their child develop an organization system. When I was in the classroom, I tried to promote a binder system, but it's really difficult to stay on top of that many binder checks, but hopefully it helped a few students gain better control over their files. It's important too to make the time for occasional organization days. I would do it once a quarter. The students loved throwing stuff away!
Marquita Herald says
This looks terrific Sabrina and I can imagine it's so much better for your son! I don't have children myself but I see a lot of the high school kids walking on their way home in the afternoon and some of those backpacks are so big and heavy looking I think they would qualify for army boot camp!
Ken Dowell says
A timely post. My son is in middle school and his backpack usually weighs more than a suitcase packed for two weeks of travel.
SafariOnTheBlog says
Oh my God! This is a brillant idea Sabrina.
Sharing this post with my sister.
Thanks for sharing.
Phoenicia says
What an amazing idea!
You take "organisation" to another level!
My children are years away from high school but this system will certainly come in handy when the time arrives.
Thank you for sharing.
Leora says
I am impressed that your son is taking German.
I am thinking I will show your post to my daughter. Maybe she will get inspired. Maybe not. I know her style is that she prefers to think of how to do the organizing on her own. But it is always difficult.
Sabrina says
Thanks Leora. It's his third and last year. He is so over it. He has learned a lot but just wants to get his requirements overwith so he can focus on classes he wants to take.
Lenie says
Sabrina, this is terrific. I had no idea that kids had to carry that much around with them. It has only been about 20 years since mine were in school and they never had that much stuff to worry about. I can certainly understand how kids can get overwhelmed. Having everything organized this way will make life much easier for them - it will also be much easier on the back and shoulders.
Jacqueline Gum says
This is so cool! Kids have a hard enough time keeping their work straight and this is so organized...something he doesn't have to really give much thought to. Kudos! And by the way, I use those tear out index cards myself:) Love them!