GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – It was the first day of school on a campus here in the east, and students and teachers say they are ready to hit the books.

As summer break comes to a close, one Eastern Carolina private school resumed classes for the 2024-2025 academic year slightly earlier than others.

Excitement and anticipation filled the air as students and teachers returned to John Paul II Catholic High School in Greenville on Thursday.

Student Samiah Barnett says the first day was a total success.

“It was great. We had a senior sunrise early this morning, nice little breakfast and a quick run through of school. It was good,” says Barnett.

The school, known for it’s faith-based education, says it’s starting with increased enrollment and increased faculty this year.

Caroline Blick says as a mom of a freshman, she remains optimistic, as high school brings a new set of challenges.

“Especially from a parenting perspective, you know we are much more hands off in high school because they are preparing to launch. But in terms of what she will face, she’s gonna be forced to make a lot more decisions on her own,” says Blick.

The school says it welcomed the opening of a nearly 32,000 square-foot addition that more than doubles the previous space on the academic campus. It has 17 new classrooms including a state-of-the-art stem lab, six science labs, a gaming lab, pottery studio and dining hall.

Ryan Smith says he’s thrilled to be a senior and offers this advice to any student with anxiety.

“Just ask questions, getting involved in clubs is such a good thing. Coming into my freshman year, I got involved in SGA and that has made my foundation of making friends and it also gave me leadership skills,” says Smith.

According to the State Department of Public Instruction, most traditional public school students will return to class on August 26th.

The school says they, along with local catholic charities, are still in the process of collecting school supplies for children in Eastern North Carolina.