Exactly on all of the above. Take at least a couple of spare, mounted tires to school, a full set if possible.

I would without question start on Toyos. They wear like iron and are much harder to flat spot than Hos or Kumhos. I got over a season out of my first set, and believe me, it wasn't the tires that were holding me back at first -- it was dumbass behind the wheel.

Got to school on takeoffs, race a few times, then get a new set of Toyos and go from there.

Good luck and welcome!