HOUSTON -- The first day of school will really be the first day of school for Cypress Ranch High School and nearby Cypress Lakes High. They are two new high schools in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in northwest Harris County, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported.

"All of the studies show that quality facilities impact learning and it really helps students achieve better," said Roy Sprague, Cy-Fair assistant superintendent for facilities and construction.

He has opened about 30 schools in 11 years.

"We're not aware of anyone in Houston that's opened two high schools in the same year and I'm not sure of anyone in the country that has done it, especially two large high schools like we have," Sprague said.

Workers are racing to get everything ready for the first day of school on Aug. 25. That includes classrooms, hallways and the auditorium.

"You've got to order everything from the first paper clip to the most wonderful encyclopedia you can find," said Cypress Ranch librarian Barbara Johnson. "We have a goal to put 10,000 to 12,000 books on the shelf before school starts. We're pretty much on our way."

Each school is more than 500,000 square feet and each cost more than $63 million.

The schools have energy-saving and brain-challenging features.

Sprague said, "If you come in and utilize day lighting in your facilities, the type of quality of light that is, it helps student achievement."

Cy-Fair is growing by about 4,000 to 5,000 students every year. It expects more than 100,000 students on the first day of school.

This year, the new high schools will start with grades nine and 10. The 11th and 12th grades will be added within two years. The schools will each open with about 1,500 students, but there is room for 3,300 students on each campus.