For high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District, except Bowman, Tuesday night marked Back-to-School Night.

And for Castaic High School, it was another first for the new school.

Walking around during the event were parents, siblings and district staff being guided by Castaic High’s associated student body members, taking each tour group to meet teachers and tour classrooms.

Imudiase Aimiuwu II and his twin sister, Isiuwa Aimiwu, both transferred from the Saugus area to attend Castaic High, join the school’s ASB and participate in iCAN Academy — a program that provides dual enrollment in both Castaic High and College of the Canyons classes.

“It’s been really nice, and the teachers are amazing, too,” said Imudiase, adding his classes have about 15-20 students in each.

Castaic High School students sell drinks and school spirit gear at the Student Store during the school’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

“I just didn’t want to leave my friends, but I ended up meeting a whole new group of friends, and I enjoy coming here every day now,” Isiuwa said. “I love my health science class because my teachers are sweet, and they take it really slow with us.”

Both their parents said they loved seeing the turnaround in Isiuwa, who had at first been resistant to coming to school. Once she and her brother got enrolled in their programs at the new high school with new classmates, they shared an excitement going forward.

Students and parents walk through campus at the first Castaic High School Back to School Night Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

“We heard about the school and the programs that were being offered, and it didn’t seem like something to miss,” said Tawanna Aimiuwu. “And so we made the switch.”

Hart District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht, who’s been a part of the effort to build and open the high school since she became superintendent in 2015, discussed the evening itself as a career highlight.

“It’s terrifically exciting, and the reality even surpasses what the vision was,” Engbrecht said. “This event is even more special to me than the ribbon-cutting ceremony a couple of weeks ago because now we see the kids. It is one of the proudest moments of my professional career.”

Hart District superintendent Vicki Engbrecht and Castaic High School Principal Melanie Hagman talk to parents at Castaic High School’s first Back-to-School Night on Tuesday. | Photo: Cory Rubin/The Signal.

Teachers at the high school acknowledged that with a new school comes new challenges, such as new teacher training programs, new technology instruction, or an unforeseen shortage of printer paper on the first day.

However, several teachers discussed how going through the experiences together brought them closer as a campus community.

“It’s been really exciting actually (because) the kids have been amazing, and everyone is excited to be here,” said Sarah Avanessian, an English teacher at the school. “The kids know that we’re all doing this together, so we’re all learning together — and I think they’ve all risen up to doing this as almost a little family.”