Library books are still unshelved and the playground isn't quite complete, but Byrd Elementary was ready for instruction this week as the Graniteville school opened its doors.

Located behind the Sage Creek housing development on Bettis Academy Road, the school resembles a home, with tall white columns and a circular driveway at the front entrance.

Even with pupils and teachers shuffling down hallways, everything was pristine. Windows shined, floors sparkled, and the smell of newness was everywhere.

"It's bigger, and there's more space, and the bathrooms look like people take care of it," Lauren Prince, 8, said.

Having moved from the old Byrd Elementary built in 1954, pupils were excited to have a building that was created with them in mind.

The school, with about 600 pupils, offers the newest technology and most energy efficient building in the county's education system. Even TVs have become obsolete. Smart boards, laptops and streaming video have replaced the need for DVDs and VCRs.

Coming in at just over $17 million, it's also the most expensive school built in Aiken County and probably the last new construction for many years as construction costs rise.

The biggest improvement for teachers was storage space and floor design.

On morning restroom breaks, teachers quickly learned they could make the pupils follow the blue squares lining the side of the hallways. No worries about children not staying in a straight line.

"The storage is phenomenal," said Keely Lillard, a first-grade teacher. "And the teachers have more than one bathroom; that's always exciting."

As a former pupil of the old Byrd Elementary, third-grade teacher Sheri Gossett gave pupils tours of the new school and stressed its resemblance to the old one. "It still feels like Byrd," she said. "The old school had that small-town atmosphere, and we still have that here."

Sconces and display cases that look like china cabinets contributed to the family-like atmosphere.

"I like the lights and we can put trophies in the things on the wall," said 8-year-old Eric Ellison.

Pupils were also excited about the cafeteria and physical education room being beside each other. To them, the moveable wall between the spaces meant more possibility for activities.

"We can play in the cafeteria. It's like they're connected," Nathan Barrs, 8, said.

The school will hold an official dedication ceremony on Sept. 9.