These days, it's hard to imagine getting through high school without the Internet.
However, there are at least 100 students at East Chapel Hill High School whose families cannot afford the service.
This number is a big concern for Ginny Guilfoile, East Chapel Hill's Parent Teacher Student Association president who started a program to provide loaner computers and Internet access for students in need.
"I thought, how would it be if my kid didn't have a computer," Guilfoile said. "I knew there were kids that could not keep up with the other kids at East without the Internet."
Guilfoile said she received two checks over Christmas break for $5,000 each.
These donations, in addition to the $5,600 that had been raised before December, gave the PTSA a way to fund the program.
"The parents don't have to pay for any of it," Guilfoile said. "The money that we raise goes directly to this Internet access bill."
Ana Rider, coordinator of the district's home loaner program, said access to the Internet is important for students of all grade levels but is particularly important for high-school students.
"When you go to high school, all the homework and projects are posted online on Web sites," Rider said.
Rider meets with students in need of Internet access and discusses concerns they might have.
"They always feel frustrated when they don't have a computer at home because they have a lot of assignments that require a computer," she said.
Rider said that Internet access is provided in the school's media center until 5 p.m. on weekdays, but that going right from a seven-hour school day to doing homework assignments can be tiring for students.
The district's Information Technology Division was able to form a partnership with Clearwire, a high-speed wireless Internet provider.
Ray Reitz, the district's chief technology officer, explained that by using Clearwire, the need for costly land-line phones or cable is eliminated.
"The cost of Internet access has been the main obstacle. The Clearwire solution is a completely wireless solution," Reitz said.
Dick O'Donnell, the company's account executive, said that because Clearwire does not require phone lines or cable, wireless Internet can be plugged in at students' houses as easily as a lamp.
O'Donnell said Clearwire's low cost and easy setup make it a good option for the district.
Rider said she has received very positive feedback from the 42 students to whom the program has provided Internet access so far.
"One student told me the quality of her work improved because she had time in between going to school and working on assignments," Rider said. "Basically they all talk about the same thing - how it was very hard to do their work and how much easier it is right now."
Guilfoile said that although the program has been successful this year, the PTSA might not be able to sustain the funds needed to continue it unless they find a long-term source for funding.
Guilfoile said she hopes the success of this program will draw state support in the future and plans to write to state legislators to request funding.
"It is a priority of the state education system to get all kids connected."
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