Educational supply companies provide essential tools for teachers and schools to create effective learning environments. Products range from basic items like pencils and paper to sophisticated STEM kits and classroom furniture.
These experienced companies offer reliable resources and creative solutions designed specifically for modern classrooms.
Choosing the top-rated educational supply companies
Educational supplies help engage students and support classroom management. To choose top-rated educational supply providers, it’s important to:
- Seek recommendations: Ask fellow teachers, administrators or parent groups for trusted supplier suggestions. Check online educator forums for extra insights.
- Evaluate products: Select companies that offer durable, high-quality items that meet educational standards. Look for everyday classroom essentials and specialized art, science or STEM supplies.
- Assess value: Compare prices across suppliers and check for bulk discounts or promotions to maximize your budget.
- Check customer support: Review return policies and ensure responsive service for any questions or issues.
- Match specific needs: Select suppliers that cater to your students’ grade levels and curriculum, including unique or specialized materials required for your lessons.
11 top-rated educational supply companies
These educational supply companies offer high-quality products and innovative resources designed to support teachers, students and schools across every grade level.
1. Kurtz Bros.
Kurtz Bros. has supplied schools since 1894, making it one of the most experienced educational supply companies in the United States. It focuses on pre-K through grade 12, providing reliable products and personalized service to educators and school districts along the East Coast. The company offers a comprehensive range of classroom basics, including pencils, notebooks, dry-erase boards and other essential tools. This ensures students and teachers have what they need to succeed.
Additionally, Kurtz Bros. provides resources that promote hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). It also simplifies school purchasing by offering ready-made student kits and administrative resources. This helps districts manage their budgets effectively while maintaining high quality standards.
# Key features:
- Affordable pricing with competitive rates and closeout deals for schools
- Fun, safe and productive learning environments from early childhood through graduation
- Over 15,000 in-stock products with access to thousands more from 500 manufacturers
2. Lakeshore
Lakeshore began in 1954 when Ethelyn Kaplan opened a small toy store that grew into a nationwide educational supplier. Today, the company serves early childhood programs through high school, combining retail stores, e-commerce and national sales teams to reach educators nationwide. Its specialty is creating innovative classroom furniture and educational resources, including the Flex-Space and Modern Edge collections. Lakeshore’s education supplies offer versatile and adaptable learning spaces.
The company designs products that encourage engagement and creativity in early childhood and elementary classrooms. These help students develop essential skills while having fun during the learning experience. Lakeshore’s Custom Solutions team also works closely with districts to create tailored resources. It provides end-to-end installation services, ensuring every learning space is functional, safe and student-focused.
# Key features:
- Retail stores, e-commerce, and national sales teams for convenient purchasing
- Visual, auditory and kinesthetic activities that support diverse learning styles
- Safe, purposeful and engaging products that inspire curiosity in children
3. Paper Mate
Paper Mate is one of the top-rated educational supply companies. It specializes in writing tools featuring innovations like quick-drying ink and ergonomic pen designs. The brand consistently improves writing experiences for students and professionals by developing tools that combine comfort, reliability and creativity.
Paper Mate offers many pens, mechanical pencils and correction products, including popular lines such as InkJoy Gel and Flair Felt-tip pens. These enhance both academic and creative tasks. Additionally, its erasable and colored lead products provide versatility, enabling learners to experiment and express ideas with ease while maintaining precision and quality.
# Key features:
- Top-notch items like the flair felt-tip pen, celebrated for its smooth, vivid ink and precise tips that prevent bleeding or ghosting
- Vibrant colors and consistent lines for both creative and practical use
- A legacy in writing instruments with expertise dating back to 1949
4. School Specialty
School Specialty has over 60 years of experience serving PreK-12 schools, offering a comprehensive range of educational supplies, furniture and technology solutions. Its mission is to create comprehensive learning spaces that support student achievement, involvement and a secure atmosphere.
Additionally, School Specialty offers classroom furniture and design services that improve collaboration, efficiency and functionality in learning spaces. It can create customized solutions for school districts, integrating professional development, funding support and technology integration.
# Key features:
- Flexible ordering and payment through online and multi-channel platforms
- A wide variety of products, from supplies and furniture to technology and curriculum
- Expert guidance in facility design, professional development and funding support
5. Really Good Stuff
For over 25 years, Really Good Stuff has provided teachers and schools with high-quality educational materials. It focuses on giving educators the tools, resources and support they need to create engaging and effective student learning environments. The brand offers many classroom essentials, arts and crafts supplies, furniture, take-home kits and curriculum support items designed for day-to-day use.
Products address academic standards and social-emotional learning needs, while curated kits and convenient collections save teachers time and effort. Really Good Stuff prioritizes personalized service, ensuring school administrators and educators receive expert guidance and innovative solutions that fit current classroom needs.
# Key features:
- Durable products designed to withstand daily classroom use
- Innovative solutions with new items added each year
- Teacher engagement through focus groups, surveys and advisory programs
6. Geyer Instructional Products
Geyer Instructional Products started in 1960 when Fred Geyer, a math teacher from Fort Wayne, Indiana, created a simple rubber stamp to support his classroom. Over the years, the company has grown into a trusted provider of educational supplies. It specializes in Math, Science, STEM and robotics, while maintaining strong connections with teachers to understand their needs. Today, Geyer Instructional Products operates from a 36,000-square-foot facility in Cincinnati.
The business offers proprietary products alongside a wide selection of global teaching aids and manipulatives. Its advanced STEM resources, including robotics tools, enable hands-on learning and skill development in classrooms nationwide. The business prioritizes excellent customer service, fast delivery and a seamless purchasing experience. Geyer Instructional Products aims to support educators in everyday classroom tasks and large-scale district projects.
# Key features:
- Exceptional customer service with flexible purchasing options
- Durable math mats and resources designed for long-term use
- Affordable solutions that balance classroom needs with budget limits
7. Raymond Geddes
Raymond Geddes initially focused on basic writing and art supplies, including pencils and pens. The company expanded to provide novelty school supplies, comprehensive classroom kits and educational fundraising resources for K-12 institutions. Products include imaginative pens, mechanical pencils, erasers and school supply kits that cater to students, school stores and fundraising programs.
Raymond Geddes also offers resources and tools for schools to create and manage supply stores, facilitating the incorporation of entrepreneurship and business skills into education.
# Key features:
- Industry expertise built on a foundation established in 1924
- Imaginative school supplies with licensed themes such as Dr Seuss and DC Comics
- Customer benefits, including free shipping and Google Trusted Store protection
8. STEM Supplies
STEM Supplies specialises in educational tools, kits and resources designed to support hands-on learning in STEM and STEAM subjects. It offers many products that build creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration in students. The extensive catalog includes robotics kits, building and engineering materials, manipulatives, technology tools, art supplies and comprehensive classroom resources. Every product has an unconditional 100% satisfaction guarantee, showing the company’s commitment to dependable service and superior customer care.
Knowledgeable staff provide personalized recommendations to match resources with a school’s unique needs, ensuring quick delivery of in-stock products, often within four business days. The company aims to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom concepts to real-world applications.
# Key features:
- Hands-on resources that encourage creativity, collaboration and critical inquiry
- Exclusive products like CreateKit and Circuit Dough that promote discovery
- Free lesson guides, professional resources and an active STEM education blog
9. Nasco Education
Nasco Education began when Norman Eckley, unable to find the necessary tools for his agricultural students, started creating hands-on teaching aids from his garage. This dedication to education access grew into a company focused on offering pre-assembled kits, supplies, curriculum materials and professional development resources for K-12 teachers.
The business creates interactive and engaging learning experiences across many subjects, including science, math, art, literacy, STEM and social-emotional learning. It offers an extensive catalog of classroom solutions that combine quality, convenience and creativity. By blending practicality with creativity, Nasco Education helps educators inspire curiosity and build critical thinking skills in students across all grade levels.
# Key features:
- Customer service that supports teachers and schools with reliable solutions
- Interactive materials that promote active learning and creative exploration
- High-quality products, including science equipment, preserved specimens and nursing simulation tools
10. Discount School Supply
Discount School Supply offers high-quality supplies at competitive prices, helping educators stretch their budgets while accessing reliable resources. The product selection includes traditional classroom items like paper, pencils and glue, alongside arts and crafts materials, STEM kits and tools for classroom organization.
The company’s fast shipping and in-stock guarantee show its commitment to service and efficiency. Additionally, its “One Invoice” policy ensures orders are only billed once they have been completely fulfilled. By focusing on quality, affordability and innovation, Discount School Supply continues to support teachers and improve the educational experience for students.
# Key features:
- A network of more than 200,000 educators nationwide
- Recognition as America’s Best Online Shop for early education for five years in a row
- Over 62,000 five-star ratings and reviews
11. hand2mind
For over 50 years, hand2mind has supported schools, teachers and parents with manipulatives, pre-packaged kits and subject-specific materials for math, science, STEM and literacy. It also offers digital resources, teacher guides and customizable kits to ensure alignment with curriculum standards and individual classroom needs.
Its products help students actively engage with concepts, making learning more concrete and memorable. hand2mind remains a trusted partner for educators seeking hands-on learning solutions.
# Key features:
- Teacher-tested materials and free online lessons for classroom support
- Specialized tools such as FingerFocus highlighters and Numberblocks manipulatives
- Flexible shipping options that ensure orders arrive when needed
Comparing educational supply companies
Review the top-rated education supply companies for products that create more productive and engaging classrooms.
What are the top-rated educational supply companies?
Leading educational supply companies provide essential resources for schools, educators and students, each excelling in different areas. These include affordability, specialized STEM tools and development focused on teachers. Products range from basic supplies to advanced science kits, enabling educators to find tailored solutions that meet their classroom needs.
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