School Chairs
Classroom School Chairs by Grade
School chair shopping can be overwhelming with the huge range of options available from Worthington Direct. Here we group chairs by student grade for easy shopping for your school classrooms. Find the right classroom chair size for the youngest learners to high school seniors. Students spend hours a day in these chairs, and proper sizing is important.
What is the right classroom chair size?
Having the right size school chair will promote good posture and may reduce unwanted fidgeting. School chair sizing is listed by the distance from the top of the seat (where your bottom sits) to the floor. To determine what size is needed by your students, measure the distance from the back of their knee to the floor while standing. That distance should roughly correspond with a chair size.
Not all students are the same size, but as a rule of thumb, it’s better to size up than down when it comes to all chairs and seating. Worthington Direct's general recommendations for classroom chair sizes by grade:
- 8” Chairs = Toddler ages 1-2
- 10” Chairs = Toddler ages 2-3
- 12” Chairs = Pre-K ages 3-4
- 14” Chairs = Kindergarten to 2nd Grade
- 16” Chairs = 2nd Grade to 4th Grade
- 17” Chairs = 5th Grade to 12th Grade
- 18” Chairs = 5th Grade and up through Adults
Need help ordering school chairs?
Our school furniture experts are here to answer any school chair question or to help you decide which chair is right for your campus. Our website is full service and can accept authorized school purchase orders. We can also provide volume quotes and offer the best school chair pricing possible.
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Learn more: School Chairs Buying Guide and FAQ
School Chair Features
Chair Materials: Most school classroom chairs are made with polypropylene plastic seat buckets and metal frames. Polypropylene is a soft plastic that allows a slight flex for comfort, but still maintains its shape and is durable for daily use. Most soft plastic school chairs have a slight texture to avoid slipping and sticking. Solid plastic chairs have formed hard plastic seats and backs that do not flex, but are extremely durable and their smooth surface is easy to clean.
Seat Contour: A chair with a contoured seat and backrest can help provide proper support and reduce pressure points. Waterfall seats mean that the front of the seat is rounded to relieve leg pressure. Some modern school chairs, such as the Flavors line, feature flat seat pans which allow students to sit in multiple directions when collaborating.
Student chairs should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt, dust, and grime. Chairs that feature “ribless back” designs have fewer nooks and crannies to clean.
Mobility: Many schools have embraced collaborative learning styles, and chairs with caster wheels are key to allowing students to arrange in groups and collaborate. Most school chairs offered by Worthington Direct have matching mobile chairs to choose from.
Types of School Chairs
Stacking Chairs: Traditional 4-leg stack chairs are the most popular design, but sled base and cantilever school chairs are also stackable options to consider. Stackability is important for storage and daily cleaning.
Flexible Seating: Active seating is a popular option that allows for slight movement by the student. Wobble stools allow students to move and shift their weight while seated, promoting improved circulation, core strength, and focus.
Other types of flexible seating, such as floor rockers, cushions, and classroom soft seating, allow students to sit in different positions or postures, providing a more comfortable and engaging learning experience.
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We accept payment through ClassWallet
We are an approved ClassWallet vendor and you may email sales@worthingtondirect.com for a quote or submit an online quote request to get your transaction started.