Chesapeake Public Schools has issued reminders for families regarding school meal information for the 2025–26 academic year.
According to Chesapeake Public Schools, families are expected to continue using SchoolCafe for all student meal account management. The system allows parents and guardians to make payments, set up auto-pay, restrict purchases, receive low-balance alerts, and access daily breakfast and lunch menus that include nutrition and allergen details. SchoolCafe is also the platform for submitting free and reduced-price meal applications, which can be completed online for faster processing.
Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined in several ways. Students at Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools automatically receive meals at no cost without submitting an application. Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid benefits may qualify through direct certification and will be notified by letter. All other families must complete a household application each school year. Only one application is needed per household, and approved applications may provide students with additional benefits beyond meal assistance.
Families who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals are required to maintain a positive account balance for their child to receive meals. Funds added to accounts may be used for standard meals as well as snacks, extra items, or drinks. SchoolCafe is the designated platform for adding and managing these funds, and the School Nutrition Services department is available to assist with questions or account support.
Chesapeake Public Schools was established in 1963 through the merger of Norfolk County and the city of South Norfolk. It serves over 39,000 students in 45 schools, three centers, and specialized facilities. The division offers Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual-enrollment programs, specialized academies in science, medicine, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), alongside comprehensive arts and athletic programs. Governed by a nine-member elected School Board, it implements a tiered instructional model with targeted intervention periods. Under Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton’s Empower 2025 plan, the district emphasizes exemplary instruction, staff support, safe environments, and community engagement while achieving high graduation rates statewide.
