OUR PROGRAMS

OUR PROGRAMS

If you work at an eligible school and are interested in shopping at Classroom Central, please visit our Teachers Section.

Free Store

Classroom Central’s Free Store is a retail operation where teachers and other school personnel from eligible schools “shop” for free supplies throughout the academic year. All materials distributed are used to create inviting learning environments and support the academic and personal growth of students whose families lack the resources to purchase school supplies.

The Free Store is located at 2116 Wilkinson Blvd and is open for teacher shopping by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is staffed and stocked by volunteers who help teachers find what they need, assist them with “check-out” and load free materials into their vehicles.

The Free Store is designed to provide all the materials teachers need to create successful learning environments. In addition to basic supplies like pencils, paper, notebooks, glue sticks, and folders, teachers will find backpacks, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) materials and lesson plans, a literacy section that includes books and lesson plans, copy paper, arts and crafts materials, classroom decorations, cleaning supplies, personal care items and more. The average value of supplies a teacher can receive at one shop is more than $1,200.

Mobile Free Store

In 2017, Classroom Central launched its new Mobile Free Store, making it easier for teachers who work furthest from our Free Store to receive free school supplies for their students. This “free store on wheels” provides supplies to teachers and students in all six districts we serve. This exciting expansion allows teachers to shop for their classrooms near where they work and hand-select the items they need for their students need to be successful.

Over the summer months, our Mobile Free Store is out in the community at “Stuff the Truck” school supply collection events.

Curbside Pick-Up

Curbside Pick-Up is a program offering from Classroom Central that allows teachers from eligible schools to order essential school supplies online and receive them via contactless pick-up at our facility. Teachers log into our portal to place a custom order online, selecting from the same breadth and depth of inventory available at our in-person Free Store. After placing an order, educators schedule their Curbside Pick-up at Classroom Central, 2116 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC. Wednesdays throughout the school year.

 

https://classroomcentral.org/lending-library/

Teacher Launch Box

First-year CMS teachers are automatically enrolled in Classroom Central’s Teacher Launch Box program. Once a quarter, Classroom Central will deliver a box directly to first-year teachers, filled with free school supplies, seasonal supplements, and gifts to equip teachers and students for success!

Even better, Classroom Central sponsors can include branded products and information made especially for educators.

Teachers who receive a Teacher Launch Box delivery are still able to shop monthly. Don’t forget to schedule your monthly shopping appointment. 

Lending Library

Our Lending Library is a program that equips our partner educators with ready-to-use, hands-on resources for success in the classroom. Today, students need more than just pencils and paper to succeed in school and beyond. We offer a Literacy Kit Library and STEM Kit Library that offers everything from phonics and sight words to robots and programs.

Teachers can log into our portal to place a reservation and check out any of our kits to use in their classrooms. Educators can pick up their kits during shopping or any time Classroom Central is open at 2116 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC.

https://classroomcentral.org/lending-library/

TeachPrep

*NEW Fall 2023*

Introducing TeachPrep, Classroom Central’s newest professional development program designed to support and uplift educators! Launching with our TeachPrep Center’s opening, Teachers who shop at Classroom Central can request copies, laminations, and die-cuts for FREE – all of which can be picked up during your monthly shopping appointments.

This service is currently only available at the Free Store.