Brooke County schools are heading back to class Thursday.

With the spring announcement of the Follansbee coke plant closure, school leaders were nervous about how it would affect the district.

“Actually, I think we've maintained,” Superintendent Jeffrey Crook said. “We are getting quite a few new students this year. I think folks are realizing we have a lot to offer within the school system; and we advertise we brand. We think we have a great school district. We have fabulous teachers and staff and administrators. We really want people to come to Brooke County. We want to be a destination location within the Northern Panhandle.”