First Day Of School For New Chancellor And 1 Million NYC Students

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – More than one million students across New York City are back in school today.

"She's excited and nervous but I think I'm more nervous than she is," Kristine Diaz told CBS2's Janelle Burrell about her daughter's first of school.

"I like meeting my friends," student Aidan Zapata added.

Students flooded back into over 1,800 public schools across the five boroughs Wednesday. It was also the first day of classes for the new schools chancellor, Richard Carranza.

The new chancellor made his rounds, visiting schools in all five boroughs Wednesday. He started the morning before dawn, greeting city school bus drivers in Queens. Later, Carranza and Mayor de Blasio walked some students to their classrooms at P.S. 377 in Ozone Park.

The NYC schools system is the largest in the country. Carranza and the mayor have made their "equity and excellence for all" campaign - a move to diversify city schools – a top priority.

"When you think about New York City - the most diverse city not only in America but probably in the world - the schools should also reflect what New York City looks like," the chancellor said.

Just a few months into his new job, Carranza says his biggest surprise was how smoothly the first day went throughout the city school system.