Students at the city’s first Arabic-language school, the Khalil Gibran Academy in Brooklyn, spent their first day in classes Tuesday, even as opponents of the school staged a City Hall protest. NY1’s Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

The press, and the police, looked on as students arrived at the Khalil Gibran International Academy Tuesday, greeted by about a dozen supporters of the controversial Arabic-language school.

"We know that there have been lots of unfair attacks, but what people need to focus on, if they're fair minded and balanced about how they see it, they will see the school that we see, which is vibrant, inclusive and focused on excellence in public education," said Garth Harries of the Department of Education.

While there are 70 dual-language schools in the city, Khalil Gibran is the first to focus on Arab language and culture. The school has been met with plenty of opposition since it was announced earlier this year.

On Tuesday, protesters took their anger to the steps of City Hall.

"The mayor and chancellor owe the citizens and taxpayers an explanation for the necessity of a school like this,” said protestor Irene Alter. “And, additionally, [an explanation of] how they plan to monitor it, since it's well known that many of the texts emanating from countries such as Saudi Arabia are filled with anti-American, anti-Zionist rhetoric."

However, education officials stress that the school is not a religious one.

A Sunset Park parent NY1 spoke with traveled several miles to take her son to the school. She wants him to learn how to write Arabic and doesn't understand what all the controversy is about.

"They're not teaching some stuff that is going to hurt this country,” said parent Najat Handou. “This country is our country too."

The school has jumped many hurdles to open its doors. Some parents protested initial plans to have it share a building with an existing school in Park Slope, so the DOE moved it to its current home in Boerum Hill. Then, the school's founder, Debbie Almontaser, came under fire for the clothes she wore, her connections to Muslim groups, and her downplaying concerns over a t-shirt with the word Intifada printed on it.

She stepped down and was replaced by a Jewish principal who speaks no Arabic, infuriating some parents.

"We want her back,” said Mona Eldahry, a supporter of the school. “It's an outrage that she was in a position where she had to resign because of racist attacks."

Khaill Gibran shares space with two other schools, but will be relocated to a permanent facility as is grows from just the 6th grade to, eventually, a high school.

On day one, there were 55 registered students — up from about 40 just two weeks ago. Education officials hope more students will sign up as the school continues an open enrollment.

- Jeanine Ramirez