Families at Winston Churchill High School, Thomas S. Wootton High School and Herbert Hoover Middle School will pay more for school meals when classes resume Aug. 25, after the Board of Education unanimously approved the first price increase in 11 years, according to Patch.

Breakfast at all MCPS schools rises to $1.60. Elementary lunch goes to $2.85, and secondary lunch, covering middle and high schools, to $3.10. Each is a 30-cent jump from prices that had held since fiscal year 2015.

The board approved the new rates at its May 21 business meeting, citing significant increases in food and labor costs, according to the district's food and nutrition services page. In an April 16 community update, MCPS noted it still has the lowest meal prices compared to surrounding school districts.

The increase does not touch students approved for free or reduced-price meals. Under MCPS policy, students approved for reduced-price meals actually eat at no charge. The district has said no child will be denied a meal regardless of account balance.

Beyond individual eligibility, 60 MCPS schools operate under the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student regardless of household income. Another 116 schools participate in the Maryland Meals for Achievement program, offering free in-classroom breakfast to all students.

Families who do not qualify for free meals and want to check eligibility can apply now. Applications for the Free and Reduced-price Meals program for 2026-27 opened July 30 and must be renewed each school year. Funds can be added to student meal accounts online through MySchoolBucks.

The meal price change is one of several policy shifts hitting Potomac families when school opens, alongside a new phone ban and ongoing boundary study discussions.