MANASSAS PARK, Va. (AP) — Manassas Park public schools are considering holding year-round classes to reduce the lapse in learning over the summer.

NewsChannel 8 (http://bit.ly/1qEY8qc ) reports the four schools in Manassas Park were each awarded a $50,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Education to study the idea of year-round classes.

One proposal being considered would have students attend classes for nine weeks, followed by three weeks of vacation.

The school system points to studies showing students in year-round schools do as well or better than their peers. The benefits can be greater for students who are at-risk, disabled or in a minority group.

But the change would cost Manassas Park schools about $1 million to operate year-round. For parents, it could be difficult and expensive to find child care.

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Information from: WJLA-TV, http://www.wjla.com

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