Manassas Park City School was selected as a recipient of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The grant program aims to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The purpose of the grant is to begin to serve students no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia the objectives are to: 1) Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GEAR UP students; 2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students; and 3) Increase GEAR UP students' and their families' knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing. The GEAR UP grant will allow for activities such as: student and family workshops on college preparation and financial aid, mentoring, professional development for teachers on social/emotional learning, increased STEM opportunities, college visits, guest speakers, scholarships and family engagement activities. The grant program runs from 2021-2028.

Manassas Park High School senior, Brayden Wence, has been named a Semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Brayden is one of only 16,000 students from across the nation to be named as a semi-finalist in the 67^th annual program conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Mr. Claude Legrand, Jr., Director of Bands at Manassas Park High School accepted a $1000 dollar grant this month from the GRAMMY Recording Academy in Washington, DC. The Academy contacted Legrand in the late winter of 2021 after word spread of his dedication to music in the high school. In a review of the band program at MPHS, the Academy found the instrumental program as unique and worthy of recognition and support.