September is a teacher’s dream. New school supplies, new students, that fresh start feeling that never really gets old. Every year I put together new bulletin board ideas for September for my shop, and every year I fall in love with a new theme.
Here’s the thing. A good back to school bulletin board isn’t just something to fill a blank wall. It’s the first thing your students see when they walk in the door, and it doubles as decor for Meet the Teacher, Open House, and the first week of school, all in one.
If you’re on the hunt for bulletin board ideas this year, I’ve got you covered. These 9 classroom displays are full of colour, easy to customise, and honestly? Just really cute.
1. Silly Goose Bulletin Board
If you want a bulletin board that’s guaranteed to make your students smile on day one, this is it. Geese in bows, tiny backpacks, book stacks, happy little patterns everywhere. It’s stuffed with cute details top to bottom.
The kit comes with everything you need to build the display: banner pieces, decorative elements, and welcome messages like “Welcome to the Flock” and “A GREAT Year is Taking Flight.”
2. Preppy Classics Welcome Back Bulletin Board
Love that nostalgic 90s classroom decor? This one’s for you. Composition notebooks, cute backpacks, apples, pencil bows, all the nostalgic school supply vibes in those cheerful school-ish colours. Since the theme is “school” it works in literally any classroom.
You get banner pieces, welcome bulletin board letters, and editable backpack and apple name tags you can personalise for each student right in Canva or PowerPoint.
3. Preppy Brights Back to School Bulletin Board
If bold colours make you happy, same, you’re going to love this one. Colourful composition notebooks, backpacks, highlighter bows, apples, cheerful patterns everywhere. It’s an instant mood boost walking into the room.
This kit is packed. Banner pieces, welcome letters, oversized school themed decorations, plus a bunch of smaller accents to fill out your board. The highlighter bows are the real star here and they tie the whole thing together. Backpacks, bows and apples are all editable, so adding student names in Canva or PowerPoint takes two minutes.
4. Preppy Pastels Welcome to School Bulletin Board
Soft, calming and oh so cute. This is one of my favourites for teachers who want a calm but cheerful classroom vibe from day one. Pastel composition notebooks, backpacks, pencil bows, all the sweet school supply details.
Inside the kit: banner pieces, welcome letters, and oversized elements like an adorable school bus, books and backpacks. Pick from three welcome messages, “Welcome Back,” “Welcome Back to Class,” or “The Start of the BEST YEAR EVER.” Editable backpack name tags let you personalise it for your class in Canva or PowerPoint.
5. Smiley Boho Back to School Bulletin Board
Bring a whole lot of happy in with this one. A giant smiley face, sweet daisies, gingham and checkered patterns, and a soft neutral palette that just feels joyful.
The kit includes banner pieces and bulletin board letters, with message options like “Happy You’re Here,” “This is Our Happy Place,” “Learning Blooms Here,” or “Welcome to [Grade].” Student name tags come as smiley faces and flowers you can personalise in Canva or PowerPoint.
6. Notebooks & Cutie Backpacks Bulletin Board
Want something that feels fresh but still a little nostalgic? This one combines classic composition notebooks with adorable pastel backpacks, colourful labels, and fun little details. Familiar, with a modern twist.
You’ll get banner pieces, welcome letters, large backpack designs, composition notebooks, and extras like stars, flowers, books and smileys. Choose from messages like “Welcome Back,” “Back for a Fresh Year,” “Back to Learning,” “Back to Class,” “Back to Friends,” or “Back to Fun.” The mini backpacks are editable so student names go in fast, in Canva or PowerPoint.
Anna, on Etsy, said “This is such a cute back to school bulletin board. Truly has everything you need to make a welcoming display for your students! I love the pastel rainbow colors as well.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Composition Notebook Back to School Bulletin Board
Love composition notebooks but want something a little more trendy? This is the kit. Bold school inspired details, cheerful icons, cups, pencils, bows, smiles, stars, all mixed together.
It’s packed with pieces you can mix and match around your whole classroom. Along with banner pieces and “Welcome Back” letters, you get large decorative elements, smaller accents, editable composition notebooks for student names, and even a giant composition notebook label you can use as your main focus piece. Go traditional with lettering, or make a statement with the oversized notebook design. Your choice.
Katie, on TpT, said “My students loved seeing this bulletin and lots of compliments. I used the stars to write student names.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. Calm Colours Back to School Bulletin Board
Think “school” but in soft beautiful colours. A golden yellow school bus, backpacks, globes, notebooks, calculators, rulers, pencils, it’s got all the classic school supplies.
Everything’s included: banner pieces, bulletin board letters, large school themed graphics, and even a first day activity built right in. Choose “Welcome Back” or “Welcome to [Kindergarten through Grade 9]” letters, and personalise letters and student templates in Canva or PowerPoint. This one’s literally one of the cutest on this list.
Always an Educator, on TpT, said “I used this as the bulletin board for when people arrived onto campus and got so many compliments! So easy to print and assemble. Students and parents loved it.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Pawsome Dog Back to School Bulletin Board
This one’s guaranteed smiles on day one. Five different pups, book stacks, pencils, paper, and paw prints everywhere. Cheerful, welcoming, and just plain fun.
The kit includes everything for your “Pawsome Things Happen Here” display: banner pieces, editable bulletin board letters, dog graphics, and school themed decor pieces. Add student names to the editable paw prints (they come in 6 colours) and pick a message: “Welcome to the Pack,” “Pawsome Things Happen Here,” or “Our Class is Pawsome.”
Ready, Set, September
September is the perfect time for a fresh start in your classroom. Pick your favourite theme from this list, add your students’ names, and your display is ready for Meet the Teacher, Open House, or just the first day.
Nine ideas, all cute, all functional, all ready to make that first day feel special. Have fun decorating!
Looking for more than bulletin board ideas for September? Check out these cute classroom decor bundles!
