New middle school first of its kind in Central Texas - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Construction crews put the finishing touches on the brand new South Belton Middle School on Friday.

Art teacher Robbie Thompson is just one of the dozens of faculty and staff that will be the first occupants of the schools new rooms.

This isn't the first time Thompson has helped open a new Belton ISD school.

11 years ago, her first year in the district, she set up shop in the brand new Lake Belton Middle School.

"The only technology really we had at that point were just computers that we did our attendance on," she said.

However in the last decade technology has certainly changed.

Thompson said, "At this school every child will have their own iPad, which blows my mind."

That's right every student get's their own iPad. 

Principal Tammy Becker said it, "Really puts the learning in the hands of the students."

It's not just the students that are excited. 

This new technology...is also changing how teachers, teach.

Music teacher Jimmy Baas said he's, "Looking forward to seeing all the things that we can do, interacting with the students, using technology in a new way to teach.  That's going to be exciting."

Also exciting is the school's design. 

Becker said, "It's just real sleek and modern looking."

The lay out is very open.  Classrooms open up to each other.

There's also large group gathering areas where teachers from different subjects can teach combined lessons.

Athletic Coordinator and Science teacher Angela Schroeder said, "The classrooms are going to be bigger in size, they're going to be connecting and joining with the other science classrooms. So it kind of gives us a chance to collaborate."

The idea is to make it feel less like a traditional school, and more like a gathering place for ideas.

"It's got bright, vivid, cutting edge colors that are really kind of indicative of kind of a Google corporate feel," Becker said.

It's not just teachers that are excited.  Students are already eager for the new school year to begin, just to see what the new school has to offer.

Carless Game's grandson will begin 8th grade on August 22nd.

She said everything Belton ISD has put into making this school cutting edge, "Means a lot because he's always been lagging in school, but this year he's really raring to go."

 A new school, with a new approach, that's already changing students attitudes about learning.

Reporters: Matthew LeBlanc, Sophia Stamas Photographer:Chris Buford