ROCHESTER, Minn.- Mayo High School was one of three high schools in the district welcoming incoming 9th graders to their first day of school on Monday, August 25.

Principal Troy Prigge says starting the freshman class one day earlier than the rest of the high school allows them to navigate the transition from middle school the high school without the stress of being in a crowd of around 1,800 other students.

This year Mayo High School has an incoming 9th grade class of around 480 students and he says 200 peer mentors were trained to help show them the ropes this year as part of the school's Spartan 300 program.

Students were given a tour of the building, got a chance to explore their schedule and find their classrooms and had a chance to learn some school fight songs.

"They do cheers a

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