D.C. Hunger Solutions’ Scorecard Finds Progress With School Breakfast Participation, But Many Children Still Missing Out

Media Contact:

Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2026 – More than 37,000 students across the District of Columbia participated in the School Breakfast Program each day during the last school year, according to the School Breakfast Scorecard for School Year 2024–2025 released today by D.C. Hunger Solutions. While the majority of public and public charter schools in the District are meeting national benchmarks for school breakfast participation, thousands of students are still missing out on this critical morning meal. The Scorecard shows a wide variation in breakfast participation across schools and local education agencies. Some schools served breakfast to nearly all enrolled students, while others reached fewer than one-third of those enrolled. 

The Scorecard finds that, overall, 43 out of 56 schools (77 percent) achieved the Food Research & Action Center’s benchmark of 70 students participating in the School Breakfast Program for every 100 students participating in the National School Lunch Program, demonstrating that high participation is possible when effective breakfast models are in place. 

“School breakfast plays a vital role in supporting student health, learning, and economic security for families,” said LaMonika Jones, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. “The most recent data show real progress, but it also makes clear where more work is needed to ensure every child in the District starts the school day nourished and ready to learn.” 

Key Findings 

• More than 6.1 million school breakfasts were served across D.C. public schools and public charter schools during the 2024–2025 school year.
• The top 10 highest-performing schools achieved an average breakfast participation rate of 73 percent, exceeding FRAC’s national benchmark. 
• The 10 lowest-performing schools collectively served just over 61,000 breakfasts.

Schools with the strongest breakfast participation often use alternative service models, such as breakfast in the classroom, second chance breakfast, or “grab and go” options, which reduce barriers related to timing, transportation, and stigma. Schools relying on traditional before-school cafeteria service tended to have lower participation rates. 

Research consistently shows that access to school breakfast is linked to improved academic performance, better dietary intake, fewer behavioral problems, and reduced absenteeism and tardiness. In the District, where under the Healthy Schools Act, breakfast is offered at no cost to all students, increasing participation remains one of the most effective strategies to combat child hunger and support student success. 

The report outlines several strategies to expand access to school breakfast: 

• Expand breakfast after the bell and other alternative service models
• Invest in measures that comply with the Healthy Schools Act and Healthy Students Amendment Act
• Support and strengthen the school food and nutrition workforce
• Offer student-informed, culturally relevant menu options
• Advance policies that normalize and promote universal school meals 

“The data show that when schools remove barriers and prioritize access, students participate,” Jones said. “Now is the time to scale proven strategies so every child in D.C. can thrive with a healthy breakfast at school every day.”

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D.C. Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), is dedicated to ending hunger and improving nutrition, health, and economic security for low-income residents of Washington, D.C. The organization works to strengthen nutrition programs, advance public policies, and educate the public about hunger and its solutions.