UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP) - Prince George's County middle school students will be in class for 40 minutes longer beginning in August.

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Under the plan, students will spend as much as seven hours and 20 minutes a day in school, longer than other students in the region. Some students will use the extra time for help in science, math and reading. Others will get an equal amount of enrichment time in subjects such as music or foreign language.

Officials say the new schedule will improve student achievement. They say it will also reduce transportation costs because bus routes will be merged. Middle school students will ride buses with high school students, saving the county about $5 million a year.

Prince George's County has the third-largest school system in the Washington area.