By Johnny Archer
Henryville, IN (WHAS/CNN) - It was an emotional day for students and faculty of Henryville, Indiana.
Tuesday marked the first time the doors of the town's school have been open in five months.
In March, a powerful twister destroyed the school.
The community worked around the clock to rebuild the building before the new school year.
It's the first day of school for Henryville students. They haven't had a class in five months.
"I just like being back at my school. This is my hometown and I really enjoy being back," said sophomore Carli Pendleton.
"I'm excited. I'm ready to get back. It feels good to be home," said junior Sammy Hunt.
All 1,200 students are back since an EF4 tornado ripped the school apart on March 2, 2012.
"Well, we went through a lot in March and it's an emotional day. As a mom, it's emotional," said Stephanee Beyl.
"I was in awe, I was in shock, I still don't believe it, like it didn't look real when you drove past, it didn't look like a school," said junior Courtney Rappe.
Construction crews took five months to rebuild the school. Officials say a project that size would normally take 18 months. It's an accomplishment the community is proud of and a salute to the 300 crew members that worked around-the-clock to have these kids back in Henryville for the new school year.
"It's a job well done. That's all you can say, it's a job well done," said Troy Albert, Principal of Henryville Senior-Junior High School.
Teachers and students finished the 2011-2012 school year in a makeshift building ten miles away.
The community was able to tour the newly renovated school Sunday.
WHAS/CNN