Manassas Park outlines July summer learning program with Bridge to Kindergarten, tutoring and transportation

Manassas Park City Public Schools leaders presented a summer learning program for July that will include an elementary track at Manassas Park Elementary (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and a middle/secondary track at Manassas Park Middle School and Manassas Park High School, with transportation, counseling services and meals provided.

Dr. Kristen Marbury, assistant principal 2 at Manassas Park Middle School, said the program was developed to align with the district's strategic plan and community vision and to reduce summer learning loss. "Our theme this year is 'blasting into summer learning,'" Marbury said, adding that the program includes both an academic focus and enrichment elements tied to recent events such as the solar eclipse.

Samantha Schisler, the district's elementary school coordinator, outlined elementary offerings, including Bridge to Kindergarten (for students entering kindergarten with no prior preschool experience), English language learner supports, summer school for K–4, a returning robotics program and ESY for eligible students. Schisler said the elementary day will include recess and a schedule designed to ease students' transition into the school year.

Mackenzie Rupert, a school counselor and the secondary coordinator, described the secondary schedule and CTE connections: middle school hours will run 8 a.m.–12 p.m. and be located at Manassas Park High School; the district will offer EL supports, credit recovery options using Apex, and a high‑school career strategy externship that lets students earn partial credit while volunteering at the elementary campus. Rupert said the secondary ratios are larger (about 15:1, with L‑program classes at 10:1) while elementary target ratios are 12:1 (10:1 for L‑program students).

The district emphasized supports for families: transportation will be provided, snacks/meals will be available, and counseling services will be on site. Marbury said the summer tutoring program will be integrated with summer school, use Imagine Math and Lexia for instruction, and keep small ratios for individualized learning.

Board members asked whether small target ratios would cap enrollment. Marbury said staffing applications are strong and the district has flexibility to increase ratios or bring in additional staff if demand exceeds current targets. "We do really have a lot of flexibility to be able to take quite a lot of students even with our small ratios currently," she said.

The board asked staff to share participation data once collection is complete. Marbury and CTE staff said they track enrollment and will provide the master schedule/collection report and retrospective participation numbers to the board when available.

The presentation concluded with board praise for the program's planning and community partnerships; no formal action was required beyond the program overview.