Manassas

Manassas City Latest to School Report Enrollment Drop; Numbers Decline Across Northern Virginia

By Uriah Kiser
From Left to Right: Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, both Democrats, visit a classroom on Feb. 25, 2026. [Photo: Manassas City Public Schools Facebook]

Manassas City Public Schools has joined a growing list of Northern Virginia districts reporting modest but persistent enrollment declines, reflecting broader demographic shifts affecting public schools across the commonwealth.

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Broad Run Yard Expansion Moves Forward: New Tracks, Station Rebuild, and Manassas Airport Ties

By Uriah Kiser

The Virginia Railway Express Broad Run Yard expansion project is advancing at the 95 percent design stage and is expected to enter a two-year construction phase once property acquisitions and permits are finalized, officials told the VRE Operations Board on March 20.

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Manassas School Board Launches Review of Old Jennie Dean Building

By Uriah Kiser
Jennie Dean statue at Jennie Dean Memorial Park in Manassas, honoring the founder of the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893.

The Manassas City School Board is reviewing its options for the nearly 70-year-old Jennie Dean Elementary building and site, while its replacement is under construction.

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Manassas Events Roundup: March 30 – April 11, 2026

By Uriah Kiser

Hey neighbors! Spring is officially in the air in Manassas — from Easter hopping fun to important community conversations and the return of our favorite Saturday market. Plus, summer camp season is kicking off with open houses you won’t want to miss.

Whether your kids love creativity, athletics, or just need a great week of adventure close to home, these camps are designed to keep them active and smiling all summer long. Perfect for families in the greater Potomac region looking for convenient, local options.

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Manassas Schools Hikes Budget to $175.8M, Emphasize Staff Raises and Facility Needs

By Uriah Kiser

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) has adopted a $175.8 million budget for fiscal year 2027 across all funds, marking a roughly $15 million, or 9.3 percent, increase over the FY2026 adopted budget. School officials presented the spending plan during a joint meeting with Manassas City Council on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, emphasizing a needs-based balanced budget required under Virginia law while noting ongoing uncertainty at the state level.

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Manassas’ New Ballet Brand ‘R-Class’ Masters the Art of Rugged & Dainty Pointe Shoes

By Mike Salmon
Natalya Balatsenko displays shelves of the Russian-made ballet shoes

A very important part of ballet is shoes. For dancers dressed in tights and tutus, getting up on pointe is a move known as “pointe,” and it requires a rugged pair of ballet shoes. Rugged yet dainty is the combination that sets apart outfitter R-Class, a new ballet outfitter in Manassas.

“It’s important to really work on the fit,” said Jennifer Fitzpatrick, who is one of the founders of R-Class with fellow dancer Natalya Balatsenko. Ballet dancers start out at a young age, wearing socks or tights, but haven’t reached the pointe level with fancy shoes. That comes with experience. “When you get on pointe shoes, it’s a real big deal,” she said. 

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Manassas Residents Rally to Save Old Bennett School as Petition Nears 750 Signatures

By Uriah Kiser
Bennett School at the Prince William County courthouse.

A grassroots effort to preserve the historic Old Bennett School is gaining momentum in Manassas, with nearly 750 signatures collected in just two and a half weeks from city residents and local businesses.

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Manassas City Council Unanimously OKs VDOT Grant for Route 28 Repaving

By Uriah Kiser

Manassas City Council unanimously approved a resolution appropriating $468,498 in state funding to pave both directions of Route 28 from Cockrell Road to Church Street, sparing local taxpayers the cost of the improvement.

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Manassas Residents Invited to Weigh In on Airport Renaming

By Uriah Kiser
A rendering shows passenger planes serving the Manassas Regional Airport Terminal.

Manassas City Council is inviting residents to provide feedback on a proposed renaming of Manassas Regional Airport ahead of a final decision.

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MCPS Deepens Museum Ties While Weighing FY27 Budget

By Potomac Local News
[Courtesy of the City of Manassas]

Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) continues to make local history a living classroom through its growing partnership with the Manassas Museum, offering students hands-on, place-based learning that connects curriculum to the community right in their backyard.

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