schools, including bruce monroe at parkview and northwest. the beautiful old building has been given a bright and colorful new look. old wood panels has been restored and a glass wall in the office reveals the ornate ceiling in the auditorium. >> i think it's better, and i like how it has space and different colors. >> the old school was totally -- it wasn't up to par. now it's totally up to par. >> reporter: also new this year, $10 million in grant money to a59d different schools. some use that money to extend the school day. >> in some cases as many as an hour and a half to two hours a day. one school by adding an hour and a half five days a week will effectively add one extra school day a week. >> reporter: other schools that got grant money actually spent that money. they invested in technology, which will then be incorporated into the classrooms. then other schools used that money to come up with academically challenging before and after school programs for their students. so a lot going on this year in the d.c. school system. reporting

the return to class meant major improvements including bruce monroe. the beautiful old building haven given a broond eight everyone and color new work. old wood paneling has been restored, and the owner nate ceiling is revealed. >> i like how it has swings and the different colors. >> the old school was totally, um, it wasn't up to par. now it's totally up to par. >> reporter: also new this year, $10 million in grant money to 59 different schools. some are using that money to extend the school day. >> in some cases as many as an hour and a half to two hours a day. one school by atten an hour and a half five days a week will effectively add one extra cool day a week. >> reporter: some schools that were awarded grants have spent the money on new technology and they're incorporating that into classroom instruction. other schools have started new before and after-school programs. in northwest, megan mcgrath, news4. >>> a serious crash hurt dozens of people in downtown lange. >>> a metro bus and train collided. 32 people, most of them on the bus, were treat

the new school year means new improvements. 12 of the schools got major upgrades including bruce monroe. fresh paint, making it a better learning experience. >> it's like being in a new place. i was amazed with the kids, with the lights and new colors, and the classroom, we told them they don't to leave. they want to look around. >>> the new school year brings additional funding. grant money helps top extend the school day. >>> schools in louden county went back to school as well. more families are moving into that county. news4's tony tull joins us now with how the first day of school unfolded. >> it went pretty good. with the recent increase in pop laition. including rezoning students. >> what shape do you think he's going to -- >> for many schools it was the first day of school, including louden county, the third fastest-growing county in virginia. >> i was one of those create parents who had to walk her through the class and when she was doing her own thing, i almost broke down. >> now she's excited, she's happy and wants to come back. it turned out good. >> reporter: bruce and jenn