YORK, S.C. -- Forget lockers and lunchrooms, eighth-grader Will Edwards starts his school day by logging onto a computer in his living room. Undisturbed by noisy classmates, he completes his assignments in about six hours, Monday through Thursday -- and reserves most Fridays for hunting and fishing with his father.

The 14-year-old left his local public school of bricks and mortar in November to be homeschooled by a private national online program his parents pay for. Next fall, however, Will hopes to be enrolled in one of three new full-time public cyber schools expected to open in South Carolina.

"Teachers weren't giving me enough to do," he said recently. "I get to stay at home. And I like the quiet."

Two kindergarten- through 12th-grade schools are set to take up to 1,500 students. A third cyber high school, for up to 500 students, will be evaluated next month.

South Carolina is joining at least 18 other states that allow students to go to cyber school full time. The state already is among at least 38 where students can take some state-run virtual classes to supplement their schedule, according to a report from the North American Council for Online Learning.

Will said he doesn't see his friends often, but he doesn't miss them. His mother says the in-state cyber charter school will provide more social opportunities, like group field trips.

"We needed something to keep his interest because we didn't want him to drop out. He's thriving in this environment," said Will's mom, Theresa Edwards.

She is chairwoman of the South Carolina Connections Academy, the first cyber charter school that won approval from the state.

A charter virtual school is a public school that must follow state guidelines for public schools, including ce.jpgied teachers and curriculum standards. The school hours, however, are flexible.

Two of the virtual schools follow the state's mandatory 180 days in school and require students to log in and work five days a week, with any weekend work not counting toward attendance. Connections' cyber school, however, allows greater flexibility as long as the work is done, which state officials say is OK.

There's already a lot of excitement for the new in-state cyber schools -- more than 750 students have signed up for 500 slots in one school, and a lottery will determine enrollment. At least 900 more have signed up for the other virtual school, which will stop taking applications next month.

The virtual charters are the first time South Carolina students will be able to earn all their education credits in online public schools that link at-home classrooms to state-ce.jpgied teachers and virtual classmates.

"It's fun. It's interactive. I like it better than sitting in a classroom," said 14-year-old Jessica Miller of Rock Hill, who plans to be in K12's South Carolina Virtual Charter School, which can enroll up to 1,000 students. "With the new school, it will be nice to meet new kids like you."

The charters are full-time cyber schools, though proponents note that doesn't mean students spend all day behind a computer screen. Students also use traditional textbooks and other materials, including microscopes and art supplies, which arrive by mail. Students can log in at specific hours for live lessons with teachers, or e-mail or call teachers at other times.

"It's not for everyone, but if you look at our world today, technology is how we're learning," said former state Education Superintendent Barbara Nielsen

Nielsen is now interim superintendent of the state's public charter school district, which approves and oversees the cyber schools.

Proponents say students who fit well in the program include competitive athleties who need flexible hours, gifted students bored with the pace of traditional classes, or students who are highly allergic, pregnant or need to work.

"We really have a passion and desire to support kids who don't fit the traditional 8-to-3 model," said Lisa Gillis, a director with Oregon-based Insight Schools, which will go before the state charter board in the next week to seek approval.

Virtual schools also appeal to parents who want more control of their children's education but like the public school benefits of free, structured curriculum, state-ce.jpgied teachers, testing and transcripts.

Because they're public schools, all three planned virtual charters provide the textbooks and other materials free to parents. For Insight, that includes laptops, printers and Internet reimbursement.

The schools receive roughly $4,100 per child from the state and federal governments, though none from local property taxes, Nielsen said.

The virtual charters fall under the same state and national accountability standards, meaning students will gather at a central location to take state-standardized tests.

After a recent informational meeting for K12's cyber school, Dana Sims of Columbia said she planned to sign up her two oldest children. She and her husband, recent missionaries in Honduras, said public high school is a "scarey environment" and they want to shield their children from sex, drugs and alcohol.

"There's all kinds of junk in public school these days," Sims said. Online learning allows her to immediately follow up an evolution assignment with a Bible lesson, she said.

"We live in America. The state has requirements, and I'm OK with that. This is the best of both worlds," she said.

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