Live music, art displays and gourmet food highlighted the first look at a new Catholic high school in Red Deer.

St. Joseph High School was on display last night as future students and the community got to experience what life will be like when the doors officially in September.

Students cooked the food, provided the entertainment and gave tours of the new building, something principal Graeme Daniel said is extremely inspiring.

“To see it today with all the kids in it is truly what we are here for,” said Daniel.

“Just to see their excitement, it brings excitement to us and reminds why we are doing what we are doing.”

Daniel said the layout of the school is something that really makes it unique.

“We’ve moved away from traditional learning environments where there are square-closed classrooms. We’ve created fluidity with open areas, garage doors that open into different instructional spaces,” said Daniel

“This building really has no hallways and although we walked the hallways, they are open areas so they double as instructional space.”

Daniel said just over 500 students will be enrolled for the fall with the number of students expected to jump to 750 within the next two years.