A well-crafted student planner can greatly enhance the academic experience for students at all levels. Understanding the benefits these planners bring, the essential features they should possess, and how to select the ideal planner to meet specific needs is vital for maximizing their potential.
Essential Features to Consider in Student Planners
While there are numerous planner designs available, successful student planners typically share certain key characteristics.
| Feature | Description | Importance |
| Monthly Calendar | A comprehensive view of the month with designated space to jot down important dates and deadlines. | Aids students in visualizing upcoming events, alleviating last-minute pressure. |
| Weekly/Daily Layout | Designated sections for each week or day, allowing for the recording of assignments, tests, and activities. | Fosters daily organization and encourages effective task prioritization. |
| To-Do Lists | Checklists or trackers for various assignments, projects, and responsibilities. | Enhances task management and reduces the risk of overlooking essential tasks. |
| Goal-Setting Pages | Allocated space for students to outline both academic and personal goals. | Inspires self-reflection and boosts motivation. |
| Notes Section | Additional blank or lined pages for notes and reminders. | Offers flexibility for students to capture ideas, important information, or quick reminders. |
| Study Tips and Resources | Sections dedicated to effective studying strategies and time management techniques. | Cultivates the development of constructive academic habits. |
| Reflection Pages | Designed spaces for students to assess and reflect on their strengths, progress, and challenges. | Encourages self-awareness and helps pinpoint areas requiring improvement. |
| Personalization Options | Customizable covers, stickers, or layouts that appeal to individual preferences. | Promotes ownership and engagement, enhancing the planner’s usability and appeal. |
Selecting Planners for Varying Age Groups
As children develop, their organizational needs change. It’s essential to select planners that cater to each developmental stage.
| School Stage | Design | Importance |
| Elementary | Bright, illustrated designs featuring simple layouts with space for doodles and stickers. | Engages young learners with accessible visuals and a user-friendly format. |
| Middle School | Weekly and monthly overviews that include goal-setting pages and sections tailored for specific subjects. | Supports organizational skills as students navigate multiple subjects and helps cultivate time management. |
| High School | Detailed daily/weekly layouts with prioritized to-do lists and sections for career or college planning. | Equips students for greater independence and future planning, addressing their complex schedules. |
Success By Design – A Trusted Resource for Educators
Success By Design has been an established pioneer in the field for over 35 years, aiming to foster development and achievement through effective planning. All content is crafted by seasoned educators and is intended to inspire transformative changes.
Their Planners With a Purpose line features planners focused on character building, social and emotional learning, and success planning. Each planner is beautifully designed for various age groups and includes motivating tips, engaging challenges, and activities relevant to the users’ developmental stage. Ample space for assignment tracking and goal setting is complemented by resources tailored to each group.
Additionally, the company offers an assortment of STEM planners, specifically created to boost confidence in these vital fields and ignite interest in future STEM careers.
Bulk discounts are offered on orders of as few as 50 items, while customized covers can be ordered for quantities of 100 or more. Schools can exhibit pride with distinctive covers displaying their logos and colors, or select from multiple appealing designs while adding their institution’s name. Options even extend to including school handbooks in the planners.
For convenience, downloadable PDF samples of every planner are available on the company’s website, allowing you to evaluate features as you make your selection.
Highlighted Student Planners from Success By Design
Among the most popular selections from Success By Design are:
1. Build Character, Build Community Student Planner – Grades 2 to 5
Photo provided by Success By Design
This highly sought-after planner for younger students emphasizes character education. It is structured as a weekly planner with dedicated spaces for subjects such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Each week features micro-stories and monthly themes centered around values like acceptance, creativity, and confidence. Additionally, a daily emotion tracker allows students to express and analyze their feelings.
This planner also includes a daily reading log, sections for parent-teacher communication, and a vibrant design with sturdy poly covers and rounded corners, complemented by plastic coil binding.
2. Daily Student Planner – Grades 3 to 6
Photo provided by Success By Design
This daily planner emphasizes organization and combines functionality with style. It features large writing areas, a well-structured format, and dedicated spaces for reading, language arts, math, spelling, science, and social studies. Additional areas for parent-teacher communication, notes, and a homework tracker are beneficial for engaging students beyond the classroom.
With pages dedicated to study skills and resources, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. It boasts a two-color layout, rounded corners, and sturdy plastic coil binding for durability.
3. Plan Better, Live Boldly Student Planner – Grades 5 to 8
Photo provided by Success By Design
The Plan Better, Live Boldly Student Planner prioritizes social and emotional learning. Its weekly “Think, Feel and Act” section prompts students to conduct self-assessments. Monthly themes and engaging challenges help students develop key life skills, while weekly goal-setting pages encourage long-term planning and progress tracking.
Featuring four subject spaces for language arts, math, science, and social studies, the vibrant planner also allows for parent-teacher communications and contains hall passes across every page. Its durable design includes rounded corners and secure plastic coil binding.
4. Prepare, Excel, Succeed Student Planner – Grades 7 to 8
Photo provided by Success By Design
This planner stands out with its modern design focused on helping students prepare for standardized testing and enhancing organization. Each week’s layout includes vocabulary sections and goal-planning areas, with dedicated spaces for language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Additionally, the planner features areas for after-school planning and parent-teacher communication, along with full-page hall passes, monthly calendars, and numerous resource pages, making it a valuable tool for students’ daily lives.
Finding the Perfect Student Planners for Your School or District
Equipping students with the right planner can significantly influence their academic accomplishments while also helping to build character and essential life skills. With a plethora of available options, it’s crucial to find a planner that aligns with the appropriate age or educational stage and integrates useful, engaging features.
Thoroughly reviewing planner samples will ensure they fulfill all necessary requirements. Providing students with an effective planner in their backpacks will offer them a significant advantage in their ongoing academic journey.
