We have a prayer room in our school, but it is not big enough for all the students and some students stand in a row next to the imam. Is the row that is nest to the imam the first row, even though it happens every day?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The first row is that which is behind the imam. So the row
that is directly behind the imam is the first row, and those who form a row
to his right and his left will not have the reward of the first row, because
this standing -- meaning members of the congregation standing on the right
and on the left -- is something that is permitted but it is not mustahabb.
Standing behind the imam is undoubtedly the Sunnah, but if someone is forced
to stand on his right or on his left, they may do so but that is not
regarded as the first row. 

Question: even though this happens every day throughout the
year? 

Shaykh: There is no problem with that in any case. This thing
is permissible, to Allaah be praise. Their standing on his right and on his
left is better than their waiting until the first group has finished. End
quote. 

Shaykh Muhammad ibn’Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)