About 360 elementary students filed into their new school this morning in Red Deer.

Don Campbell Elementary School, located in the Inglewood community, welcomed students for the first day of classes.

The $13-million kindergarten to Grade 5 facility features three outdoor classrooms and 11 indoor classrooms connected by 10 garage doors allowing classes to work together.

Grade 2 teacher Jan Ludwig had the chance to meet some of the students prior to today and said everyone was eager to get started.

“We’ve met many of our kids yesterday and the excitement was palatable. Everyone is glad to be back and ready to learn.”

Ludwig is the daughter of the late Don Campbell, in which the school was named after, and says her father would be over the moon with joy.

Of the students attending Don Campbell Elementary, is 9-year-old Taytum Kozak, who’s going into Grade 5.

After spending the summer travelling with her family, she said she's happy to be back in school.

“I like colouring and books and doing crafts. I really like art and school. I think it’s going to be awesome.”

Red Deer Public Schools is welcoming over 10,700 students today for the first day of classes; something Director of Community Relations Bruce Buruma said is always exciting.

“It’s the first day of school; it’s a wonderful time of year for everyone in the district. Not only here at Don Campbell Elementary, but across the district we’ve actually seen a good increase of students.”

Some Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools get started today while Grade 11-12 students in Red Deer begin tomorrow.