Sep. 6--SNOW HILL -- When you walk through the halls of Greene Central High School there's one common scene -- students peering into laptop computer screens

During a recent study break between classes, Greene Central junior Teena Coats worked to finish an i-Movie she produced that featured Native American history.

She presented the i-Movie to her classmates during an English honors class. Coats is among nearly 2,100 students in Greene County Schools that use school-issued Apple laptop computers to complete class assignments.

The school district first entered a lease agreement with Apple in 2003 to provide every student from grades six to 12 with a laptop computer.

Since 2003, the One-to-One laptop program has grown in demand for Greene County School students and teachers. The school district plans to eliminate text book use for middle and high school students in 2014. Students will then solely use their laptop computers as part of their classroom curriculum.

Appreciating the program

Senior John Nethercutt admits he didn't know anything about computers before he entered the seventh grade at Greene County Middle School; he had just transferred from Mt. Calvary Christian Academy in Hookerton.

According to Nethercutt, it wasn't until he was in high school that he felt comfortable with using the Apple laptop computer for school. Now, the senior understands most of the computer's programs and has even had several wireless connections installed at his home in Maury where he often uses the laptop computer to complete school assignments.

"Working at home helps me get ahead in class," Nethercutt said. "I got wireless connections at home because of the program."

Nethercutt is Greene Central's senior class president and plans to attend either Duke University or the University of North Carolina next year. He plans to study history and then attend law school.

Another senior, Justin Harris, also wasn't sure in the beginning if the program would work. He has participated in the program since he was in sixth grade.

"I didn't like it at first," said Harris, who plans to join the U.S. Air Force upon graduation.

Despite early reservations, Harris now believes the program has allowed him to excel in the classroom.

"We use the laptop computers in all four of my classes," Harris said. "I definitely have used the computers more in high school than I did in middle school."

One-to-One beginnings

Greene County School leaders said this week that the One-to-One program has reenergized students in middle and high school.