The sixth-graders fidgeted in their seats with laptop computers open on their desks while their teacher pointed to an electronic white board.

“You have to write a one-page paper, so where are you going to save your paper?” asked teacher Deb North.

“Our school folders,” replied 11-year-old Emma Bachmeier.

Forget the Pee Chee. Every student learns on a laptop in a new technology-based program in the Federal Way School District.

The Technology Access Foundation (TAF) Academy aims to increase learning in science, technology, engineering and math. It wants to reach students underrepresented in those fields, such as girls, blacks and Latinos.

The academy opened Sept. 8 with 128 students in three portables next to Totem Middle School in Kent.

“The kids really love the technology,” North said.

Part of her task is moving the sixth-graders’ computer focus from playing games to learning. Some are increasing their keyboard skills beyond the hunt-and-peck method. At the same time, they’re beginning to use programs such as Excel and PowerPoint.

The use of laptops and interactive white boards – often called Smart Boards – is growing in public schools.

The Tacoma School District is adding laptops on mobile carts at elementary and middle schools. The new Glacier View Junior High on South Hill has 220 laptops that teachers check out for student use.

But the TAF Academy stands apart. It’s an entirely new program centered on technology and partly privately funded.

Every student gets a laptop to use during school hours. They can access their student account and homework on their home computers. Eight teachers lead classes with no more than 25 students each.

Former Microsoft executive Trish Dziko started the nonprofit Technology Access Foundation and its academy. The foundation is providing $1 million per year, including $7,000 per student. That’s in addition to the state’s basic education funding of $5,035 per student in the Federal Way district.

TAF Academy is starting with sixth, seventh and ninth grades. It plans to add one grade a year and eventually enroll 525 students in the sixth through 12th grades.

North, a math and science teacher, used the Smart Board in her class Thursday to explain the increased pay and other advantages of a college degree.

Miguel Rios, 11, already was sold.

“I’m excited about technology, about how I’m going to be ready for college when I grow up,” Miguel said .

Josh Conboy, 11, already creates movies, drawings and slide shows on his computer at home.

“I really like technology,” Josh said. “I can show more of my work at TAF.”

Emma Bachmeier said she likes working with computers and exploring Web sites. She wants to learn more about technology and someday be a fighter pilot.

TAF Academy originally was proposed for Rainier Beach High School in the Seattle School District.

The idea faltered after the Rainier Beach High community accused the Seattle School District of negotiating in secret and feared the program would take over the school, according to The Seattle Times.

Federal Way Superintendent Tom Murphy contacted Dziko after reading about her problems starting the academy. Murphy thought the program would be a “wonderful option” to open doors to fields in science, technology, engineering and math.

Students applied. Most live within the boundaries for Totem Middle School and Thomas Jefferson High School, although any student in the district could apply.

Fifty-five percent of the academy’s students are on the federal free and reduced-price lunch program.

Aaron Burden-Hall, 16, was home-schooled last year. The ninth-grader said he likes using a laptop and having a say in shaping the new academy.

He was part of a student group that researched and recommended rules and guidelines that all students approved.

“We have more input than if we were at a normal school,” Aaron said.

Project-based groups are another way to engage students in work that’s relevant to them, said Principal Laura Davis Brown.

“It’s not just a technology school,” Brown said. “When you allow kids to be active participants in their education, their expectations go way up.”

Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647