BOERNE, Texas – Students and teachers at Fabra Elementary in Boerne couldn't wait for the first day of school.
After all, they've been in a building that was built in the 1940s, so a new campus is the perfect way to start the new school year.
The new school is just down the street from the old campus, so the commute remains pretty much the same for all involved.
The state-of-the-art campus was built to connect students in an all-inclusive working environment.
The architects did away with long hallways. Instead, each grade has its own pod that teachers call neighborhoods.
The open-concept allows students to collaborate on projects and visit with other classes for lessons.
"Our neighborhoods are equipped with white boards, smart boards, LCD screens, couches, soft areas, hard areas, actual tables where they can work," said principal Heberto Hinojosa.
The new building was also created with the environment in mind.
"If you look around when we walk around, you'll see a couple of water-retaining tanks, LED lights throughout the building that are on sensors," Hinojosa said. "The AC is a very high-efficient AC, and in regards to the construction of the building, wherever possible, we have green material used on our school."
Fabra Elementary is a CHIP school, which means it's a high-performance campus that has been nationally recognized.
There are five elementary schools in Boerne.
The school district has approval to build two more campuses by 2018.