Ongoing breakfast growth aligns with decreases in chronic absenteeism
RICHMOND, Va. (December 8, 2025) – An additional 32,000 students are eating breakfast at school since the start of the Youngkin Administration’s ALL in VA plan to address chronic absenteeism in 2023, according to analysis of state data by No Kid Hungry Virginia.
On average, 388,172 youth were connected to breakfast at school during the 2024-2025 academic year as chronic absenteeism decreased to 14.8%. Chronic absenteeism reached a pandemic-era high of 20.1% in 2021-2022.
The growth represents Virginia’s ongoing success with connecting youth with breakfast, which is proven to help students stay focused, score higher on tests and miss fewer days of school.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, 27,000 more kids ate breakfast at school, representing the largest-year-over-year increase in school breakfast participation in over a decade. An average of 383,750 students ate breakfast at school that year as chronic absenteeism dropped nearly 16%.
A key strategy of Virginia’s success is connected to support for Breakfast After the Bell, a program that makes breakfast a part of the school day by serving it in the classroom or at convenient kiosks throughout the building.
“Virginia’s success proves that serving breakfast as part of the school day is a powerful tool in reducing chronic absenteeism among students,” said Sarah Steely, Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia. “Over the last four years, we’ve been encouraged by the growth in school breakfast participation, along with the adoption of Breakfast After the Bell models that make it easier for students to start their day with a nourishing meal. Focusing on school breakfast is an attendance strategy that works.”
In addition to Breakfast After the Bell, Virginia’s breakfast participation was boosted by the state’s elimination of the reduced-price school meals category in 2022 and ongoing commitment to increasing access to no-cost school meals through participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Earlier this year, Virginia was recognized by Attendance Works, a national leader on school attendance policy, for measurable, data-informed progress in reducing chronic absenteeism. The organization published a Virginia case study to highlight the state’s progress.
“We know that starting the school day with a healthy breakfast has a profound impact on students’ attendance and academic success,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera. “Across the Commonwealth, we’re seeing stronger Standards of Learning test results, and a best-in-nation reduction in chronic absenteeism. These positive outcomes are the result of support and investment in our students, alongside the collaboration and dedication of Virginia’s incredible teachers, school leaders, and parents. Making sure students have access to the right nutrition is essential for whole-child wellness, and a crucial part of this success.”
