Marketing students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools' "Classroom on the Mall" course will open an annual prom dress shop on Friday at Fair Oaks Mall, where they will give away free dresses to students in need.

“This is an excellent opportunity to accomplish several goals at once,” Miranda Schick, the course's teacher, said in a press release. “First, students apply marketing lessons to a real-world retail environment. Second, they support the School Board’s goal to be responsible members of our community by helping those who are less fortunate.”

Spring 2011 photos: Classroom on the Mall

Donations are accepted at the dress shop during the hours it is open, and at the Centreville High School main office during the school day. The students who put the shop together are from Centreville, Oakton and W.T. Woodson high schools.

The shop is located on the lower level of the mall, between Sears and Lord & Taylor near Cold Stone Creamery. It is open:

• Friday, April 27, 4-7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 28, 2-5 p.m
• Sunday, April 29, 1-4 p.m.
• Friday, May 4, 4-7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 5, 2-5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 6, 1-4 p.m.