Free & Reduced Price Program

2025-2026 

For the 2025-2026 School Year:

Douglas County School District RE-1 will offer no-cost Breakfast (where available) and Lunch for all students. Research shows that students perform better when they’re well-nourished. By providing free Breakfast (where available) and Lunch to every student, we’re helping support their learning and overall well-being.

Why It’s Still Important to Share Your Household Income Information:

Even though all students will receive meals at no cost, we still ask families to complete the income information form when requested. This helps Douglas County School District RE-1 qualify for important state and federal funding. These funds go directly to our schools to help:

• Cover the cost of school meals

• Support after-school programs

• Enhance other nutrition and student support services

• Additionally, households that qualify may be eligible for:

• Summer EBT benefits

• Reduced school fees

• Discounts on class materials

• Transportation support (bus passes)

• Utility assistance and more

What’s in This Packet:

This packet contains more information about these programs, along with the form to submit your household income details. While the following pages may reference eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, please know that Breakfast (where available) and Lunch will be provided at no cost to all students—regardless of income—for the 2025-2026 school year.

Our school meals meet the USDA’s nutritional guidelines, so you can feel confident your child is receiving healthy, balanced meals, saving your family both time and money.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FREE STUDENT LUNCHES

Meals for students in the Douglas County School District are currently free through the Healthy Meals for All program, which is funded by the State of Colorado. While free meals will continue through December 2025, the program could be eliminated in many DCSD schools, effective in January 2026. (The State plans to place two initiatives on the November 2025 ballot related to the funding of this program.)

We strongly recommend that you complete the application for free or reduced lunch via the National School Lunch Program, even if you are not sure if your family qualifies. Families approved for free or reduced meals through the national program will not be at risk of losing their free meals should the state program be discontinued.

Click here to complete the Free/Reduced Lunch application. (via myschoolapps.com -- applications for this school year, do not open til July 15, 2025)  

Please click here to access the 25-26 Free and Reduced Applications and documents.