Number of Glasgow Students Enrolled in Free and Reduced-Price School Meal Program Above State Average

New numbers show a significant portion of Glasgow students are enrolled in the free and reduced-price school meals program — at rates above the Montana average.

At Glasgow High School, 74 out of 221 students qualify, about 33 percent.

Glasgow Middle School reports 66 of 172 students, or roughly 38 percent.

And at Irle Elementary, 142 of 361 students are enrolled — just under 40 percent.

Overall, more than one in three Glasgow students relies on the program for daily meals.

Statewide, about 30 percent of Montana students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, meaning Glasgow’s numbers — especially at the elementary and middle school levels — are slightly higher than average.

The program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides free meals to students from households earning at or below about 130 percent of the federal poverty level, with reduced-price meals available up to roughly 185 percent.

At the same time, Glasgow Schools report about 10-thousand-500 dollars in unpaid lunch balances, highlighting the ongoing financial strain facing some local families.

School officials say the program plays a critical role in making sure students are fed, focused, and ready to learn — particularly in rural communities.

For many Glasgow students, school meals remain a reliable source of daily nutrition.