Community Eligibility Program (CEP) Overview
-
We are excited to announce that nine schools within West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) qualify for ALL students to receive free meals for the 2023-24 school year. This is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a U.S. Department of Agriculture program created to help low-income areas. This is a basic overview of CEP and what it means for your family.
CEP FAQs
-
WHAT Will CEP Do for WDMCS?
CEP will provide free breakfast and lunch for all students in nine WDMCS schools, regardless of a family’s income. This means 3,000 more students will receive free meals because the funding is schoolwide instead of family-specific. Approximately 5,200 students will automatically receive free meals under this program during the 2022-23 school year.
-
WHICH Schools Qualify for Free Meals?
- Clive Learning Academy
- Crestview School of Inquiry
- Crossroads Park Elementary
- Hillside Elementary
- Western Hills Elementary
- Indian Hills Junior High
- Stilwell Junior High
- Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
- Walnut Creek Campus
-
WHICH Schools Do Not Qualify for Free Meals?
- Fairmeadows Elementary
- Jordan Creek Elementary
- Westridge Elementary
- Valley High School
Does your student attend one of the four schools that do not qualify for free meals but YOUR FAMILY needs food assistance? We still provide that service and we're here to still ensure you get that support.
If your family typically DOES qualify for fee waivers, then
- Complete the CEP survey
- Complete the Fee Waiver application
- Complete the Free and Reduced Meals application
-
HOW Were Schools Selected?
Schools are selected based on the percentage of students who are directly certified for free meals based on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and children who are homeless, runaways, or in other special circumstances.
Because WDMCS as a whole does not meet the 40% requirement for all schools to receive free meals, these nine schools were grouped to meet that threshold.
-
HOW Long Will Students Receive Free Meals?
The nine schools are guaranteed free meals through the 2025-26 school year. Additional schools could be added in future years if percentages change based on the 40% requirement.
-
WHAT Does This Mean For MY Family?
ALL families should complete the CEP survey because it will help WDMCS maintain and increase federal funding for:
- Title I programs (tutoring, staff, family engagement programs, etc.)
- Free meals for more students, even those who may not qualify for the free and reduced meal program.
Please review the next section "Steps to Take" to determine what forms you should complete.
Steps to Take
-
If Your Student Attends a QUALIFYING School
If your family typically DOES NOT qualify for fee waivers:
- Complete the CEP survey
If your family typically DOES qualify for fee waivers, then
- Complete the CEP survey
- Complete the Fee Waiver application
Qualifying Schools
- Clive Learning Academy
- Crestview School of Inquiry
- Crossroads Park Elementary
- Hillside Elementary
- Western Hills Elementary
- Indian Hills Junior High
- Stilwell Junior High
- Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
- Walnut Creek Campus
-
If Your Student Attends a NON-QUALIFYING School
If your family typically DOES NOT qualify for fee waivers:
- Complete the CEP survey
If your family typically DOES qualify for fee waivers, then
- Complete the CEP survey
- Complete the Fee Waiver application
- Complete the Free and Reduced Meals application
Non-Qualifying Schools
- Fairmeadows Elementary
- Jordan Creek Elementary
- Westridge Elementary
- Valley High School
-
If You Have Students At QUALIFYING and NON-QUALIFYING Schools
If your family typically DOES NOT qualify for fee waivers:
- Complete the CEP survey
If your family typically DOES qualify for fee waivers, then
- Complete the CEP survey
- Complete the Fee Waiver application
- Complete the Free and Reduced Meals application
- Complete the CEP survey
