Some 50,000 D.C. students returned to class Monday, many now attending new schools after Chancellor Michelle Rhee closed or consolidated 23 schools over the summer.

Workers scrambled to get classrooms and educational facilities ready for students' arrivals on Monday, part of a $92 million renovation effort.

Many had questioned whether the schools would be ready after a dispute over contracting with the D.C. Council delayed renovations for up to a month.

Draper Elementary School in Southeast looked like a wreck on Friday, reported ACB 7/NewsChannel 8's Sam Ford. But things had improved markedly over the weekend.

"It's in a lot better shape than I thought. So, thank you, Mayor Fenty," said Draper parent Lakeisha Cameron.

Mayor Adrian Fenty and the man responsible for restoring all 123 D.C. school buildings, Allen Lew, toured Sousa Junior High, looking at new computers, a completely restored auditorium, and classrooms that have undergone remarkable change. Fenty returned from the Democratic National Convention in Denver to witness the start of the school year.

Parents also saw signs of progress at Francis Junior High School in Northwest.

"At first I was concerned, but now I think it's going to work," said parent Wanda Harris.

Across the street, workers were paving basetball courts. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee told reporters it has been a struggle trying to update the aging school buildings.

"So many of our schools are absolutely decrepit, and so it was the only responsible thing to do ... to be as aggressive as we could with the construction schedule," she said.

Construction crews planned to return to the unfinished buildings after school Monday to keep working.

At Browne Junior High in NW, it's crunch time. Across D.C., classes are starting today, but there is still a lot of work to be done; so much so that 8-year-old Obse and his mom aren't sure if their school will be ready in time. "Everything is, you know, messed up and I don't know what they're waiting for. The whole summer?"

The city's paying $2 million to repair dozens of schools, but the renovation are more than a month behind at several locations. "It's a lot to do. It's a lot of consolidation of rooms it was a lot of work and a lot of effort, so it's important that we take as much time as we need to get it done right," said Michelle Chin, Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization.

Teachers weren't allowed to begin preparations in their classrooms due to renovations that still have yet to be completed. Kindergarten teacher Gwendolyn Mitchell didn't get into her room until Saturday. "I'm just determined to do whatever I have to do. I will be here tomorrow because I can't just come in here on Monday and it not be together."