The first day of school is always exciting, but the energy on Monday was palpable at six new HISD schools opening their doors to students for the first time.

The new schools — Mark White and Condit elementary schools, North Houston and South early college high schools, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and Fonwood Early Childhood Center — were rebuilt as modern learning environments with flexible classrooms, increased access to technology, bursts of color, and lots of natural light.

Also formally opening to students on Monday was the modern, new classroom wing at Worthing High School and several renovated spaces at Waltrip High School.

All schools — with the exception of Fonwood Early Childhood Center — were funded by the district’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The $1.89 billion program calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools. Construction is currently underway at 22 campuses — more activity than at any other time in district history. Once complete, the district will have one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.