WELCOME, TEACHERS!

WELCOME, TEACHERS!

Start shopping for FREE school supplies!

Classroom Central provides free resources to six Charlotte-region districts; CMS, Gaston County, Iredell-Statesville, Union County, City of Kannapolis, and Lancaster County, South Carolina.

We work with local school district leadership to determine level of need and program eligibility for our partner schools, ensuring that the students most in need are served. Schools with 50% or higher of their student populations receiving free/reduced priced lunches are eligible to participate in Classroom Central’s programs.

Educators at eligible schools can shop for free once per month through the Free Store, Curbside Pick-Up, or Mobile Free Store.

Eligible staff includes full-time teachers, facilitators, counselors, media specialists, principals, assistant principals, deans, job coaches, family advocates, and ASEP coordinators. Support/administrative staff are ineligible, including teacher assistants and ASEP associates, nurses, custodians, or positions assigned to other departments.

What Teachers Say About Us

“One of my 6th grade students had a book bag that was being held together with tape and staples and I was able to pull him to the side and hand him a new one that I got from Classroom Central. He took it home and decorated it that night and showed it to me the next day. He was so excited and proud of it. His confidence with his peers and his classwork went up dramatically.”

Ms. Lindsay, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

“I often have students who are new to our school and have left their book bags and supplies behind for reasons beyond their control. I love that I am able to hand them everything they need in a new book bag. This makes the transition to a new school much easier for them and I’m able to establish a positive student-teacher relationship right away.”

Andrea McCray, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

“I had a student recently join my class. All she came to class with was an empty book bag. When other students began to take out their materials, she was ashamed because she didn’t have anything. I grabbed a zipper pouch filled with crayons, pencils, glue and scissors from Classroom Central and no one thought anything of it. The little girl looked as though she had won the lottery. The materials I receive from Classroom Central have been a life saver on more than one occasion.”

Ms. Bass, Lancaster County (SC) Schools

“I have a student who is without a home and lacks for all supplies. She knows that if she needs anything for school she can come to me in private and get what she needs. It takes away the shame of not having, and she is much more confident.”

Ms. Beasley, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

“At the beginning of the school year, one of my students did not know how to let me know that he needed some supplies. I think he felt embarrassed about it. When I found out, I let him know that I was able to get free supplies from Classroom Central for all students who need them. Now, he is a much more confident student.”

Ms. Davidson, Iredell-Statesville Schools

“I have a student who needed just about everything.  He didn’t have pens, paper, notebooks or any of the basic supplies.  Because of Classroom Central, I was able to give this student what he needed to start the school year successfully. It allowed him to feel better about school and about himself and he was able to keep his work organized.”

Mr. Jackson, Kannapolis City Schools

“On the first day of school, my students were so happy to receive the composition books, pencils, paper and other materials on that I got at Classroom Central. We wasted no time starting our lessons, because they had the supplies they needed and they were ready to learn.”

Ms. Knight, Gaston County Schools

Free Store

Our brick-and-mortar Free Store is located at 2116 Wilkinson Boulevard. During your appointment window, you’ll come in, grab a cart, and select all the supplies you and your students need! From basic core supplies to STEM activity kits and art supplies, there’s a ton to choose from at CC. See you at the store!

Mobile Free Store

The Mobile Free Store drives to the school districts served by Classroom Central, making it easier for teachers who work furthest from our Free Store to receive free school supplies. You’re invited to shop at the Mobile Free Store when it visits your school district. Check the online schedule and make your reservation!

Curbside Pick-Up

Looking for speed and convenience? Place your order online or through the Classroom Central mobile app to shop for a wide range of free school supplies, schedule your pick-up time, and drive up during your appointment window. Don’t forget to put a sign with your name and school in your window!

Launch Box

Surprise, You’ve Got Supplies!
Classroom Central delivers a box of free school supplies, seasonal goodies, and special gifts once a quarter to first-year teachers, helping them—and their students—start strong and stay supported all year long.

Currently only available for CMS

Lending Library

Today’s students need more than just pencils and paper to succeed in school. Educators can check out STEM and Literacy kits for ready-to-use, hands-on  resources for success in the classroom. Click to learn more!

Sponsored by Domtar and Duke Energy | Piedmont Natural Gas

TeachPrep

TeachPrep is Classroom Central’s educator resource hub designed exclusively to support educators and help with time-consuming administrative tasks. Free Store shoppers can request copies, laminations, and die-cuts that can be picked up during their monthly shopping appointments. Book online.

Questions? Click HERE for more information.

Click below to flip through our New Teacher catalog.

Read to learn more about Classroom Central, our programs for teachers, as well as our staff!

You’re invited to join our Teachers Facebook Group.

You’re part of our incredible network of educators across CMS, Gaston County Schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools, Union County Schools, Kannapolis City Schools, and Lancaster County (SC) Schools, and we want to build and connect our community. You’ll have the chance to learn tips and tricks of the trade from experienced teachers, too! We’ll also share content, contests, and prizes, tailored just for you.