After years of planning, designing and building, Coupeville high schoolers have a modern place to attend classes.

The new Coupeville High School opened Tuesday morning in time for the first day of class.

It was a celebratory atmosphere as cheerleaders were at the school’s entrance greeting classmates and teachers when they entered the building.

At first glance, students seemed to be impressed by their new school, which is a huge improvement to the old school which had a leaky roof, faulty plumbing and was just wearing out.

“It’s bigger, looks nicer and has no holes,” said senior Chris McDougall as he walked the halls.

“It’s quite fancy,” said senior Trevor Pigusch as he was talking to his friend Mike Fruik before classes started.

Shortly the school day commenced at 8 a.m., students and staff gathered in the new commons area for the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, introduction of the ASB leadership team and an appearance of the school’s new mascots, William and Winnie — last name Wolf, of course.

Following the assembly, School Board President Kathleen Anderson and senior Kaitlyn Torres of ASB leadership went to the front of the school to ring the school bell.

While the school is open for students, workers are still busy putting the finishing touches on the building. The gym will be finished later this week and workers continue to landscape the front of the building.

The new high school replaces the one that was demolished earlier in the summer. In its place is a parking lot and courtyard.

A voter-approved $22.8 million bond funded construction. A celebration for the new high school is currently scheduled for Oct. 3.