They didn't seem to miss the boys at all.

In fact, on Monday, the start of classes for Gwinnett County's first state chartered public school, the girls at Ivy Preparatory Academy celebrated their new-found kinship. They walked through the hallways in white polos, khaki skirts and pants, greeting classmates as "sisters."

Many of them came to Ivy Prep for the girls-only focus.

"We wanted to build a community of sisterhood that doesn't commonly exist in middle school because you have a lot of social issues," said Nina Gilbert co-founder and head of school. "Here, they can sit with people that are different from them and feel like family."

The school has students from practically every continent represented among the inaugural class. Some wore long pony tails. Some wore braids and naturals. Others covered their hair in scarves for religious reasons.

The school's college prep curriculum promises to prepare girls for college by exposing them to challenging classes and a longer school day, which will soon stretch until 5 p.m.

On Monday, school administrators divided the 159 girls into homeroom groups named after colleges such as Harvard, Brown, Stanford and Princeton to get them to aim high. Students also were told that they must write the words "believe, achieve, succeed" on every Ivy Prep assignment so they will do their best.

Anai Cortez said she came to Ivy Prep from Nesbit Elementary School so she wouldn't be distracted by boys. Cortez said some pre-teens tend to flirt around boys and end up pregnant instead of college-bound. She wants to be a doctor.

"If you are around boys they make fun if you are fat or skinny," said Anai Cortez, 10. "Girls just want to be your friend."

Teachers encouraged students to reach out and help each other in class.

"Be your sister's keeper," said teacher Victoria Hudson in a math analysis class. "If you think you [understand the directions] make sure everyone at your table does."

Students came from as far away as Riverdale to attend the state-chartered special school, which is temporarily located in Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross while its new building is being completed nearby. Early Monday, the car-riders line snaked around the church parking lot. Transportation is not provided to Ivy Prep. Some families carpooled. Students and parents were greeted individually as they walked to the door.

The school day passed with few hitches besides scheduling issues.

Autumn Headrick said the uniforms are going to take some getting used to, though. "They're ugly," she said. "I cried in the dressing room when I tried it on."

Her mother Tonya Headrick, however liked the khaki outfit. "You don't have to spend 30 minutes in the morning to decide what to wear."

The school received some donations to finance uniforms for the needy. A $2,500 contribution was made anonymously by a local public schools employee, and Buckhead Uniforms gave $6,000 in uniform vouchers for the poor.

A formal inauguration ceremony will be held Friday to induct students into the school. Ivy Prep now includes only sixth grade but eventually be sixth through 12th grades. It will add new classes each year as the sixth-graders move toward graduation in 2015.

Young Kim, the CEO of a software company, said he believes his daughter Caroline will get an outstanding education at Ivy Prep. He can afford private school, but he likes the idea of a public education with longer days and uniforms.

"Money doesn't guarantee a good education," Kim said. "When the word gets out to the Asian community, this school is going to be inundated with parents who want their kids here."