Knoxville — Two new Knox County Schools opened for the first time Wednesday, August 8th.
Gibbs Middle School in East Knox County welcomed more than 500 students, while Hardin Valley in West Knox County had close to 900.
Students, teachers and staff were excited and nervous to enter through the doors for the start of a new school year.
"It’s really cool to be a part of a school opening, and we are in the position to set school culture and be a part of a community," Hardin Valley 7th grade science teacher Bethany Saunders said.
Teachers are excited for the upgrade in technology from laptops to interactive whiteboards.
"We’ve seen the building grow over the past year; now that we are finally in here we are excited," Stephanie Morse a 6th grade math teacher at Hardin Valley said. "The classrooms are really clean and everything has that shiny look to it."
Some students like Stephan Haverlack were eyeballing some other new areas.
“Toilets are new and the bathrooms are new, that’s the best part for me!" he said.
Hardin Valley Middle School Principal Cory Smith sad he is eager to get the school year started.
“It’s like getting a new house, but times 70 thousand square feet," Smith laughed. "It’s awesome to get inside and see all the newness of it: lockers, classroom, desks, and new faces."
“I’m really excited because I get a locker," 6th grader Kate Smith said.
Principal Cindy White at Gibbs said the support in the new area has been incredible.
"Anything we have for this school, the community shows up for it," White said. "To be back in school and have the kids here back at school today, I can’t even describe how excited I am."
The start of school can sometimes be stressful, but when asked the best advice on how to prepare, Gibbs Band Director Jim Foust advised you don't forget to laugh.
"Just roll with the punches, middle schoolers are unpredictable," he said.
Superintendent Bob Thomas stopped at both new schools during his visits across the county Wednesday and gave some advice of his own.
“Get plenty of rest, eat breakfast, come to school ready to learn, come to school every day, behave in class and respect your classmates and teachers," Thomas said.
It's the first day in what he hopes will be a successful year.
"It's very exciting, we very rarely open a new school and this year we are opening two. It's unique and never happened before," Thomas said.