And chances are good that students will see a new face calling the roll. The school replaced some 20 teachers and two administrators since spring.

But students will find the biggest change of all in how they learn the state-prescribed curriculum.

"It'll be like a brand-new school," Superintendent Steven Ballowe has said of the changes.

Gainesville Middle has grouped its students according to three "programs of choice:" Earth Quest, which focuses on the environment; Humanities, which emphasizes literature and history; and Classical Studies, which provides a broad base of knowledge.

In March, parents chose a program according to their child's interests. The school has worked since then to develop the school according to the programs.

Principal Robert Thorpe said teachers have taken classes to learn about the programs and their integration with the curriculum.

The school has been divided in three areas, with hallway paint and signs identifying each academy.

Inside each academy, students still will be grouped with others in their grade, Thorpe said.

Students will mingle with others outside their program in such classes as band and chorus.

And each program will have its own English for Speakers of Other Languages and special education classes.

Earth Quest has proven to be the school's most popular program, with 409 students signing up in 2002-03. Classical Studies will have 287 students and Humanities, 193.

The school has received some private school transfers.

"Some of it is because of the economy," Thorpe said. "Some of it is due to the programs of choice."

Tom Macloskie, who will teach Georgia history this year, said he looks forward to the new setup.

"Everybody is resistant to change ... but this is one of the most positive changes I've been through," said Macloskie, who has taught at the school for 12 years.

Eighth-grade science teacher Arcelia Rosas said she thinks that students are "going to be more enthusiastic in their learning because they're in a program they like."

The school lost teachers from last year, however, because of the move.

"Some people just don't want to change and they're not happy with the change process," Thorpe said. "They did the right thing, though. They moved on to something else."

Plus, the move has required extra work for the teachers who stayed.

They "have had to put in a lot of hours and work hard to get ready for next year," Thorpe said.

The school system wants students to stay in their program for one year. Then, at the end of the year, they can move to another program, if they want.

The deadline for choosing a program in 2003-04 is Feb. 28.

Macloskie said the new system does more than add spice to a child's learning.

"It gets parents more involved in their child's education."