It’s the busiest week for back-to-school in Indiana, and as South Bend students head back to class on Thursday, Aug. 16, and students and parents will notice some changes.

One of the biggest is that the Clay Intermediate Center has been transformed into the Clay International Academy.

An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony this week introduced the public to one and a half million dollars worth of changes and improvements, all part of the South Bend Community School Corporation’s Focus 2018 plan.

Also, the high school has new bell times of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A middle school system for 6th through 8th graders is in place after 5th graders have been moved back to the elementary schools.

Students who attend Concord, Elkhart Christian, Wa-Nee, Warsaw Community, Resurrection Lutheran Academy of South Bend, and Michigan City Area schools also return to the classroom on Thursday.