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Coral Springs, Florida – Families with students attending a number of Coral Springs schools will need to complete meal benefit applications again this year to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches, according to information released by Broward County Public Schools.
While many schools across the district will continue providing meals to all students at no cost through a federal nutrition program, several Coral Springs campuses will remain outside that initiative and will use the traditional application process for lunch benefits during the 2026-27 academic year.
District officials announced that 141 Broward County schools will participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. Under that program, all students at participating schools receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of household income, eliminating the need for families to submit applications.
However, a number of Coral Springs schools are not included in the CEP program and will continue requiring families to apply for meal assistance if they wish to receive free or reduced-price lunches.
Schools requiring applications include Coral Park Elementary, Country Hills Elementary, Eagle Ridge Elementary, Ramblewood Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Westchester Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Park Springs Elementary, Coral Springs Middle School, Ramblewood Middle School, Sawgrass Springs Middle School, Forest Glen Middle School, Coral Glades High School, Coral Springs High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and J.P. Taravella High School.
According to district guidelines, students enrolled at those schools will initially receive meal benefits based on their previous year’s eligibility status. That temporary status will remain in place for the first 30 days of the school year or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever occurs first.
Beginning Sept. 22, 2026, students whose families have not submitted a Meal Benefits Application and have not received a new eligibility determination will be required to pay for school lunches.
School officials are encouraging parents and guardians to complete applications as early as possible to avoid interruptions in meal benefits. Applications must be submitted online through MySchoolApps.com.
District leaders also emphasized that citizenship information is not collected during the application process, a point often raised by families seeking clarification about eligibility requirements.
Although some schools will continue using the application-based system, several Coral Springs campuses will remain part of the Community Eligibility Provision program. Students attending James S. Hunt Elementary, Coral Springs Elementary, Parkside Elementary, and Forest Hills Elementary will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year without submitting a meal benefits application.
Even at schools participating in CEP, district officials encourage families to complete an income survey. Those surveys can help schools and districts qualify for additional funding and support programs that benefit students and families.
One aspect of the meal program remains unchanged across Broward County. Breakfast will continue to be available at no cost to all students districtwide, regardless of school assignment or income level.
The announcement comes as families across Broward County prepare for the upcoming school year and begin reviewing enrollment, transportation, and meal-related requirements. For many households, submitting a meal benefits application remains an important step in ensuring students continue receiving affordable access to school lunches throughout the academic year.
With the September deadline approaching shortly after classes begin, district officials are urging eligible families to complete the process promptly to prevent any disruptions and to ensure students receive the benefits for which they qualify.
