ARLINGTON — Jade Olin spent her first day back in school getting back in the swing of things — re-acquainting herself with the Spanish language, preparing herself for volleyball practice and comparing hair with her classmates.

“It’s fun to see my friends with different hair,” said Olin, a junior at Highland Christian School.

Olin and the rest of the private school’s approximately 125 students began classes Sept. 2.

Students trickled out into the street after the bell rang. Some younger students met with their parents outside of the school, while others walked home.

Third-grader Peniel Hunt, 8, said she was ready to get back to school. She said so far physical education and science seem to be her favorite classes.

“I liked summer, but I like school better,” she said.

Older students were also making the adjustment.

Sophomore Nels Knutson, who was headed to football practice, said the first day of school was pretty painless.

The 16-year-old said he’s taking algebra, Bible study, world history, American literature, yearbook, biology and Spanish.

“(Spanish) is pretty confusing,” Knutson said.

Kjirsti Overgaard — one of 14 members of the school’s senior class — said her senior year has been pretty overwhelming so far.

She said she’s taking Greek III, physics, art, Bible study, contemporary world problems and Algebra III.

New principal Kevin Reimer, who spent the last four years as a deputy director/principal of a school in Latvia, said he’s ready to begin the new year back in the United States.

Reimer, who is entering his 25th year in education, has also worked for the Mount Vernon and Stanwood Camano school districts.

“The great thing for me coming here is you get to start the day in prayer,” Reimer said. “It’s not like your public schools. To start my day that way was a blessing.”

Arlington School District begins classes Sept. 9.