The Fred A. Smith Elementary opened Aug. 21 to students, parents and community members eager to learn. The bees were abuzz as they toured the school and met teachers.

Although rain forced everyone inside for the ribbon cutting, Principal Chris Lassiter said problem solving is just one of the many traits students will learn at the school.

In about 26 months, the 45-year-old campus got a facelift and had more square footage added.

Last year, the school’s students were sent to Banks Road Elementary.

“I think we never settled,” Lassiter said.

While it was an adjustment for teachers and families, Lassiter said the focus never wavered from giving students the best education possible. There was even a five to 15 percent growth in reading and math scores.

“The students are always the most flexible,” he said.

Mayor Ronnie Williams said studies show students perform better in a fresh environment.

“We’re expecting great things here,” he said.

A bright future ahead

With more than 70 applicants for the school’s magnet student positions, Lassiter believes the school’s nearly 440 students have bright futures ahead.

“The stars have aligned for Smith,” he said.

The school is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme candidate. The process will take three to four years of teacher training, curriculum writing and mapping and program building. However, Lassiter said the process would be well worth the work because all students in the school would be considered IB students.

This is so important, he said, because it will help both base students and magnet students.

“This is a real community school,” Lassiter said.

Also, if the school receives recognition as an IB programme, students will have the opportunity to be a part of the programme from pre-K through 12th grade in Garner schools. East Garner Middle School and Garner High School also have the IB programme distinction.

Students headed to their classrooms Aug. 25. for their first day of school.