LEWISTON — There was no shortage of confidence or excitement Tuesday morning as 132 students entered Acadia Academy, the first public charter school in the city.

“I know math really a lot,” one youngster said as he took a seat in the first-grade classroom.

The school at 12 Westminster St. was approved last year by the Maine Charter School Commission. It accepts pre-kindergarten to grade two students. This year’s students come from Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon, Leeds, Livermore, Greene and Durham.

Elisha Morris, assistant director and special education coordinator, helped guide parents and students to classrooms. Lots of smartphone photos were being taken, especially in the kindergarten rooms, as parents captured first-day-of-school scenes.

Heather Bucklin and Jodi Pollack, teachers in adjoining first-grade rooms, said the smaller class size is seen as a benefit by charter school parents. The two teachers will each have 14 or 15 students, which will help allow individualized instruction, they said.

Most of the students and parents got their first look at Acadia Academy several days ago at an open house.

The former commercial building was given free by local developer David Gendron, the father of school board member Tracy Turner. The building now features bright lighting and colorfully decorated walls. Classrooms have kid-sized tables and chairs for small groups rather than assigned desks.

There’s a large parking lot, and traffic patterns are clearly marked for those transporting children to school.

Christopher Nichols, volunteer greeter at the front door, said he didn’t see any tears from students, but, “I saw four mothers with tears in their eyes as they were leaving.”

Academy Principal Julie Colello, a former math coach at Longley Elementary School in Lewiston, said she wanted to be principal because she enjoys helping and working with teachers. She said she was attracted to the school because of its use of hands-on learning.

“That piece has been missing for a lot of students,” she said.

Colello said she hopes the academy will see student-driven instruction that will help students become more interested in learning. She said she’s also excited to see more “social/emotional learning” to help students develop character and positive behaviors.

The academy plans to add a third grade in 2017-18, and follow that by adding one grade per year through sixth grade. It also plans to offer summer classes three days a week.

The programs are backed by John F. Murphy Homes, which provides residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities. The school is not a special-needs school and is open to any resident.

Acadia Academy is one of nine charter schools in Maine financed by taxpayers. Annual revenue will be about $1.5 million. Parents do not pay tuition.

State law allows up to 10 public charter schools.