When third-grade teacher Claudia Burton reported for duty bright and early Monday at James and Barbara Adams Elementary School, she knew it would be a rather momentous day, and not simply because it was Day One of the 2013-14 school year.

It would be her Day One as a classroom teacher.

It would also be the official Day One for Adams itself, the Arlington Independent School District's latest addition to its fleet of 51 elementary schools and 1 pre-kindergarten school.

"It's exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time," Burton said Saturday during a dedication and open house of the new building at 2220 Sherry St. in East Arlington.

Principal Lesley Rhodes welcomed an enthusiastic standing-room only crowd at the dedication that included AISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, the district's executive staff, the AISD School Board, State Representative Chris Turner and the school's namesakes, James and Barbara Adams.

Adams Elementary was built to relieve overcrowding at Atherton and Johns elementary schools and is the first two-story facility housing AISD elementary students. Airy and spacious with large windows and a sleek, modern design, Adams' 111,000 square feet is filled with 44 general classrooms, a pair of science labs and computer labs, three fine arts rooms, nine special program classrooms, seven collaborative space areas and outdoor learning spaces.

It is high-tech and energy-efficient. During a tour of the school, lights flashed on as people walked into classrooms and turned off once they left. Lights inside the cafeteria/auditorium where the dedication was held weren't turned on because the windows are designed for natural light to keep things bright.

Rhodes said about 800 students were projected to show up for the first day of classes, although Adams was built to service 900. There's room to grow, which is good news for East Arlington.

"This is really the first domino in a comprehensive plan to relieve overcrowding in East Arlington," Cavazos said. "Next year, we will be opening classroom additions at three sites and the following year a new school. We know that the conditions for student learning is important for their success."

The dedication was also a tribute to the school's namesakes, who are longtime educators. James Adams served AISD for 38 years as a teacher and counselor; he spent 15 years as Arlington High School principal. His wife, Barbara, taught for the same amount of time, most notably at Hill Elementary, and was known for her work on district curriculum committees and as a sponsor of the district spelling bee.

They called the honor "overwhelming" following well-wishes from colleagues and their daughters, Jennifer Webb and Melissa Nicholson, who are teachers at Moore and Short elementary schols, respectively.

First-grade teacher Gema Almaguer said you don't have to be a first-year teacher to get butterflies, especially at a brand new school. She's logged 13 years.

"But," she said, "as soon as the kids come in with their smiling faces, everything is okay."