Arlington Public Schools (APS) will provide meal accommodations for students observing Ramadan from February 18 to March 19, 2026. This initiative is in line with guidance from the Virginia Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture.
During this period, APS will implement the Ramadan 2026 Non-Congregate Meals Waiver. Students who are fasting for Ramadan will have the option to take their meals home rather than eating on-site. These non-congregate meal options will be available at all APS schools during lunch hours. Meal costs will depend on each student’s status, including Paid, Free and Reduced, or Community Eligibility Provision school designation. To ensure safety, all provided meals will be shelf-stable.
Eligibility for these meal accommodations requires that students be present at school on the day meals are distributed. APS has stated it will take measures to prevent any student from receiving duplicate meals.
Participation in programs such as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program remains voluntary. The school division clarified that if a student chooses to eat during the school day, meals will not be denied based on an assumption of fasting.
Families seeking more information can contact the APS Food Services Department at 703-228-8000, option 4.
