Monday will be a day of high anticipation for students across the state as many schools resume classes for the new year.

By midweek, nearly all students will have returned to school.

But the excitement at Ala Wai Elementary may be higher than most. When the school's estimated 450 students roll into class, they'll be greeted by a renovated campus that's brighter and quieter.

"I know they (children) are going to be really happy; they are going to be really excited," said computer teacher Bernice Ishida.

With the renovations just completed, teachers scrambled yesterday to prepare for the new school year. Assisted by about 20 volunteers from the accounting firm Accuity LLP, they unpacked classroom items from boxes, sanitized rooms, moved furniture and set up computer labs with 10 new flat-screen computers.

Similar scenes have been playing out at scores of campuses statewide.

In the past, students at Ala Wai Elementary have dealt with everything from power outages to buzzing air conditioners. Now, the kindergarten, first- and second-grade classrooms have improved lighting and ceilings free of asbestos, and the library has new — quiet — air conditioning.

Nancy Teruya, the librarian at Ala Wai Elementary, said the old air conditioners were so noisy that students had to speak into microphones to be heard, but the new ones will offer a quieter atmosphere.

"The kids love to come to the library, and I think it will be much easier to hold classes now because we'll be able to hear each other," Teruya said. "It's really going to be heaven; a friendly, inviting place where they can come and relax, enjoy, learn and have fun."

Students will also have a better environment to study in, said Principal Charlotte Unni.

"The teachers are saying it's so much brighter now with the recessed lighting and the birds don't come in anymore because there's nothing for them to perch on," Unni said.

Karen Silverstein of Accuity said her company was glad to help teachers prepare.

"Anything that supports the public schools and makes them a better place to learn is something we're definitely in favor of," she said.

Ishida said the volunteers helped make a difference.

"For me, it's a stress relief because school starts, the teachers start, the kids start, and you have to do all these things and there's not enough hours in a day for one or two people to do it, so we needed the help," Ishida said.