First-day of school excitement was particularly high at the Tisbury School, which welcomed more than 250 children Tuesday morning after a nearly two-year renovation and expansion.

The youngest grades, and some older children as well, had never seen the inside of the 95-year-old building, which closed for reconstruction in late 2022.

“Kids going into fourth grade have [practically] never been in a school before,” Tisbury school committee chair Amy Houghton said, as she and committee member Jennifer Cutrer watched the stream of children arriving for their first day.

“I’m having the best morning ever,” said committee member Michael Watts, who showed up an hour before school to stand in the driveway with a cup of coffee and savor the outcome of a long-sought, $81 million makeover.

“I just want to see kids walk in the building. That’s what it’s all about,” Mr. Watts said.

Some students weren’t sure what to expect of their new, old school.

“The kids were nervous because it’s so big,” said Vikki Cortez, after she and her husband Tony Cortez escorted their nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son to the schoolhouse door.

But 10-year-old Maggie McCarthy, a rising fifth-grader, was ready for a change.

“I knew where everything was but it wasn’t the best,” she said of the previous modular school.

The school’s public debut is still a few weeks off, however, because the new gymnasium and music rooms are still being completed. The community open house takes place Oct. 26.

Elsewhere around the Island, the buildings all looked the same; the big changes came at the top, with three new principals taking over this year. Jeremy Light is the new Oak Bluffs School principal, Kate Squire now heads the Chilmark School, and John Stevens is the interim principal at the Edgartown School.

Mr. Light, the former regional high school assistant principal, embraced his new role Tuesday morning saying hello to the students during the morning drop-off.

“I’ve met enough adults now,” Mr. Light said earlier in the morning. “The most important thing I’m looking forward to is getting to meet my new students.”

Glaucia Walters held her daughter Emma’s hand as the two approached the school.

“I’m feeling nervous and excited at the same time,” Emma said about beginning third grade. She added that she is looking forward to having her friends in her classes.

Charlotte Potter, the English as a second language teacher for kindergartners through second graders, was one of several teachers helping to organize the students.

“The first day of school is very joyous,” Ms. Potter said. “We love seeing how the kids have grown over the summer.”

Mr. Light led a cheer as he addressed the crowd.

“Proud to be?” Mr. Light called out.

“From OB!” the children, parents and teachers shouted back.

In Edgartown, Krystle Schaeffer said her son Judson woke up excited, insisting on wearing bright orange flip-flops and packing his Minecraft-themed backpack with fresh school supplies.

“I’m like, I don’t have a kindergartner anymore,” Ms. Schaeffer said, marveling at how fast her son is growing up.

Earlier in the morning, principal John Stevens strolled around the halls and classrooms saying good morning and good luck to teachers.

Mr. Stevens said walking the halls is a vital part of his morning routine, one he remembers well having served as principal of the Edgartown School for 12 years before retiring in 2019.

“This feels normal, like I’ve been here before a million times because I have,” Mr. Stevens said. “I’m very comfortable coming back.”

Mr. Stevens is returning to lead the school once again but his connection to the place predates working there, having been an Edgartown School student himself. He said he still remembers feeling excited as a kid for the first day.

Student Angelina Druate held her mother’s hand while approaching the front entrance to the school. Angelina said that during last year’s first day, her teacher gave her a string of paper that flew in the air like a helicopter. She said she’s excited for today’s activities and had a message for younger students who might be scared.

“It’s going to be fun for them because there’s fun activities,” Angelina said.

In Chilmark, the first school bus rolled into the parking lot at 7:50 a.m., though most kids were dropped off by their parents, which is typical for the first day, according to principal Kate Squire, who previously taught fourth-grade in Concord.

Ms. Squire greeted the children and families entering the front doors with a warm smile.

“The first day bouquet of sharpened pencils — you can feel both the excitement and the nerves,” she said.

Melissa McNickels, a second and third grade teacher, said she was excited to see new and familiar faces.

“First day is all about building community and getting to know the kids and each other, getting familiar with routines, welcoming them back, hearing what everyone did over the summer, and just having fun,” Ms. McNickels said.

More pictures.