Laptops will be just one more item Chatham County students will be loading in their book bags this school year.

Jordan Matthews High School in Siler City will get 750 brand new computers with the help of an $800,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation which is a state-wide non-profit.

Northwood High, Chatham Central and SAGE Academy students will also get to take home laptops that were used only inside the classroom the past few years.

School spokeswoman Beth McCullough said this is a much-needed addition to the schools.

"We're thrilled to be issuing each of our high school students with laptops," McCullough said.

Parent Chip Price has a boy heading to high school.

"It's the wave of the future, and without it they'll be a step behind," Price said.

The district said they're ready for this next step. Throughout each school there will be battery charging bays so students will always be prepared.

"We know it's important especially for kids going to college that we prepare them here too," McCullough said.

Parents will not have to pay for any part of the laptop unless the student breaks the computer. Any other problems can be fixed by a computer technician that will be available at every school.

But McCullough said it's not only the students that are going high-tech. Teachers across the district will also receive updated laptops.

"They're to the point again were they need new ones. They got theirs in 2004. Here it is 2009, so they're old," McCullough said.

Each laptop will come with a carrying case that will fit in the students' book bags with all of their other school supplies.

The money for the teacher's laptops comes from collaboration between SAS and the Golden LEAF Foundation along with additional state and local funds.