Families face higher costs as back-to-school season nearsAs back-to-school season approaches, families will face higher prices for supplies and other costs for the upcoming academic year, a new analysis found. Families will spend roughly $4,000 per student on school supplies and lunches this year, including about $175 on school items and $3,800 on packed lunches, according to the analysis. Many school essentials, such as pens, markers, notebooks and glue, are manufactured overseas, making them subject to higher tariffs. Other school-supply companies also blame higher energy costs due to the Iran war for having to raise their prices. Half of families plan to cut back on household expenses to cover those costs, according to Deloitte.