Tiftarea Academy high school teacher Natalie Rippy’s students were ready to learn on their first day.

TIFTON — School is back in session in Tift County.

Tiftarea Academy started classes for the 2018-2019 school year on Friday, Aug. 10.

“We are excited about the 2018-2019 school term,” said TA Headmaster Stacey Bell. “We have record high enrollment in our PreK program and our enrollment of over 600 students in PreK-12 is also a high for recent years. We have new faculty and staff on board and have expanded our offerings in the arts for 1st-12th grades. Tift County schools started back on Monday, Aug. 13.

This is the first year post-realignment, which means massive changes to every school in the Tift County public school system.

Annie Belle Clark Elementary School, Matt Wilson Elementary School and Omega Elementary School hold kindergarten through fifth grade. Those schools will all feed into Eighth Street Middle School, keeping students in the same school as their friends.

J.T. Reddick Elementary School, G.O. Bailey Elementary School, Northside Elementary School and Charles Spencer Elementary will feed into Northeast Middle School. Both middle schools will house grades six through eight.

Tift County High School will house grades nine through 12 after undergoing extensive renovations and new construction over the summer.