LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The first day of school for students and educators at Kentucky’s largest school district was Wednesday.

Thousands of students across Jefferson County Public Schools made their way back to class, with many entering a brand new school.

Ellis Tarver volunteered to help at Perry Elementary in Louisville on the first day of school.

“Scholars are coming in ready to learn, looking amazing, and everything is going well. We are going to have an amazing first day,” said Tarver. 

The former educator was happy to help on such an important day for JCPS.

“It’s a show of the community that is coming together to achieve a goal which is to educate our scholars,” said Tarver. 

It’s not just a typical first day. JCPS opened their doors to three brand new schools. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio has been looking forward to this day.

“Always exciting to see kids walking into a brand new building. We get to open up the brand new middle school west Louisville has seen in 91 years, which is going to be really exciting,” Pollio said. 

New schools include Perry Elementary School, Hudson Middle and Echo Line Trail Middle School.

“All of those schools have been in the plan for five or six years and to see it come to our vision is really rewarding,” Pollio said. 

The new school year comes with several big changes for JCPS, including those new schools, new start times and the new school choice initiative.

“Always on the first day is making sure kids get to and from school safely, that’s number one,” Pollio said. “But with the changes in start times, the elementary school children will be going home first time and making sure they get home safely and making sure the schools and families have what they need? That’s a successful first day.”

And to help with all the minor bumps in the road that might come their way, JCPS had volunteers like Tarver, a team of dedicated teachers, and a community rooting for them.