Check out this article in the Augusta Chronicle about Episcopal Day School's new 1:1 computing program in which all students in grades 1-4 will be issued an iPad and all students in grades 5-8 will be issued a Macbook Pro. 

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2015-01-27/eds-students-be-issued-ipads-computers

After nearly two years of study and research, a faculty committee is proposing that EDS adopt a 1:1 program in which every student in grades 1-8 has a portable computing device, “A 1:1 program in the school will provide tools to support our desire to move toward an understanding of learning that is active, purposeful, rigorous, and relevant to the world in which our students live.”

We have gradually increased teacher and student access to computers over the years through careful stewardship of our resources and philanthropic dollars. We began in 1998 with a commitment to having a teacher computer and student computer in every classroom. In 2000, we built a state-of–the-art computer lab, and have kept the lab updated through the years. We added our first mobile laptop lab in 2002, adding a second in 2008, an iPad cart in 2013, and this year gave every teacher an iPad for classroom use. This measured approach saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars over that time compared to what many schools were investing in extravagant or excessive technology purchases.

However, the committee report concludes, “We have reached the point that the student and teacher demands for technology tools for learning are beyond our current capabilities. Both mobile carts and the computer lab are used nearly every hour of the day, often involving negotiations among staff.” Currently computers are being used in classrooms for instruction and assessment differentiation, additional or alternative practice and presentations, research, writing, project creations and presentation, and collaboration.

In addition, the list grows daily of learning options that teachers currently forego because of limitations to computer access. The committee report also outlines a body of research that indicates the multiple benefits - both academic and non-academic - to students and teachers when students have ready access to computer technology in the classroom.

I’m so proud of the progress our faculty members make every year in their undying commitment to preparing our children for learning and for life. That, coupled with our careful stewardship of resources, truly makes EDS the best educational value in the country!