CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- 'Quick study' has taken on new meaning for students in Advanced Placement chemistry, and in all other classes at Cumberland County
High School.

"As much school as we missed in January 17 days, that's almost a month of school," says Director of Schools Aarona VanWinkle.

"I really don't see much of a choice," says Samantha Reed, whose son Austin is a first grader at Cumberland County's Martin Elementary.

"I mean it's either get rid of Spring Break or they have to go later, all through the summer."

Single father Jory Lawson couldn't agree more.

"They get off too many days as it is,"

"A couple of these days have been ridiculous, to be honest with you!"

VanWinkle discounts claims that the district could have held classes
on any of the 11 days accrued for inclement weather.\

"This year, especially earlier in the year, there was a lot of ice mixed with the snow and packed," she says.

"We couldn't get a scraper through."

The days missed, risk dealing Cumberland County a 'triple whammy.'

More than 70 percent of students are considered 'economically disadvantaged', VanWinkle says, but more than half plan to go on to college.

Many colleges weigh test scores (ACTs, SATs, and Advanced Placement exams) equally or more heavily than grade point averages.

If Cumberland County students were to take their scheduled Spring Break, they would return to class with barely a week to prepare for
testing through T-CAP: Tennessee's Comprehensive Assessment Program.

"We were already so worried about getting the skills in before the test anyway," VanWinkle says.

"Missing 17 days before the test is a huge disadvantage."

Students also would have had to make up the missed days by
extending classes past Memorial Day, when many families have scheduled vacations.

To compensate, teachers are offering more tutoring sessions.
AP Chemistry students, for example, are making up missed 'lab time'
after classes.

Students also will be allowed to make up any work missed if their families had scheduled vacations during Spring Break, VanWinkle says.

Lawson's two children will be in class.

"It actually works out better, so I won't miss work," he says.

First grader Austin Reed will answer the bell as well.

"He's getting bored staying home," his mother Samantha says.

"He has too much energy."