St. Cloud schools in top 12 percent in Minnesota for kids living in poverty

More than 2,000 school-age children live in poverty within the St. Cloud school district, according to recently released estimates from the U.S. Census. 

Estimates show St. Cloud is in the top 12 percent of districts in Minnesota with high poverty, according to the Small Area Income and Poverty program. The estimates are released annually and are used to distribute federal funds to school districts. 

About 17 percent of the district's school-age students live in poverty. It ranks 39th highest out of 338 districts. 

In comparison, Sartell has the lowest level locally of poverty among school-age children, at nearly 4 percent, and ranks 317 in the state. 

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Sauk Rapids-Rice school district has nearly 7 percent of its school-age students living in poverty, while ROCORI schools have about 6 percent. 

That means more than 2,300 students are living in poverty in the St. Cloud district. Other area school districts' numbers are in the low hundreds. 

The data is based on the five-year American Community Surveys estimates and IRS income tax data and uses federal poverty levels. In 2018, for a family of four, the federal poverty level is $25,100. 

How do poverty levels impact schools?

Research has shown students who live in poverty are less likely to achieve important adult milestones, including graduating high school and completing college, according to the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization. 

"There's research that shows students with secure, stable housing ... are better ready to learn when they come to school," said Lori Posch, executive director of teaching and learning for St. Cloud schools. 

While the St. Cloud district as a whole may have a higher level of students who receive free and reduced lunches — another measure of low-income families — it varies widely by schools, Posch said.

About 58 percent of students qualify districtwide. At Clearview Elementary School, 27 percent of students qualify, while Talahi Community School's level is nearly 92 percent of students. 

The poverty level of families influences many of the decisions schools make.

"We take into account the living situation of our families," Posch said. "We really consider the needs of these families, when we set our school calendar, when we look at after-school programming." 

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The district also works to provide transportation to after-school activities so lack of transportation doesn't limit a student's ability to participate. 

"It provides challenges for the district, but it also provides a lot of opportunities for our district," Posch said. 

Because of the higher rates of children who receive free and reduced lunch, the district qualifies for more state and federal funding — about $17 million. 

The district also gets outside help. 

"So many of the partnerships with the community ... help to meet those basic needs for students," Posch said. 

For instance, United Way of Central Minnesota has opened Neighborhood Resource Centers at two elementaries, which help match families in need with services. 

The Rotary Club of St. Cloud went to several schools, dropping off free winter clothing, including hats, mittens and scarves. 

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Feeding Area Children Together, or FACT, now supplies meals for weekends and holidays for many students in the district. 

The district also qualifies for certain grants because of its higher number of students who receive free and reduced lunch. For instance, grants fund free breakfast for all students, regardless of their parents' income level. 

"We are not in it alone to serve all the unique needs of our students," Posch said.