Students at a central Florida high school — Lakes Wales High School in Lakeland — will have iPads waiting for them when they go back to school in August, reports the “Associated Press” (http://macte.ch/yCyX5).

Each teacher at the school will also get one of the new touchscreen tablets (presumably the iPad 2), as well as a MacBook laptop. That’s thanks to an anonymous US$1 million donation to the school’s technology program, notes the AP.

The donor said in a press release that he hopes the gift will allow students and teachers to realize their full potential. The AP reports that the money will also be used for a new science, technology, engineering and math research lab; new audio equipment and video screens for the gymnasium; and flat screen monitors around the school to exhibit students’ work and help staff communicate with students.

Lake Wales Senior High School was constituted in 1924 and had a total student body of 85 students, five full time faculty members, and one administrator. Today Lake Wales High School is a member of the Lake Wales Charter Schools System, which are public schools sponsored by the Polk County School System. The Highlanders presently host over 1,300 students, over 90 full time faculty members and paraprofessionals, three guidance counselors, a career specialist, six administrators, and one school resource officer.

— Dennis Sellers