One of the smallest schools in the northwest is getting a boost from a corporate donation of laptops and iPads.

The principal of Nestor Falls Public School says a recent donation of computer equipment will help teachers as they work with several different ages within one classroom. (supplied)

The principal of the two-room school in Nestor Falls said the equipment will be a big help to the school’s 18 students, who range from junior kindergarten to Grade 8.

"This has … helped to open up a lot of opportunity for the kids and really level the playing field in lots of ways,” Kendall Olsen said.

“Within any one of the classrooms there is a very broad spectrum of need. In terms of meeting those diverse needs, the technology helps."

There will now be one laptop for every student from Grades 4 to 8, he said, which will help them access a wide selection of books online.

A company called WireIE, based in Southern Ontario, donated 10 laptops, six iPads and two wireless printers.

The equipment will help teachers meet the challenges of educating a broad age range of students in each class. The students are split into two classes — junior and senior — and are taught by two full-time teachers, an educational assistant and a secretary/librarian.

"Particularly in the senior room — if they're working on different topics, they can do research via the internet on that given topic,” Olsen said. “[They’re] not waiting … for a computer so there's not a lot of down time."

The school already had wireless Internet service and was using some technology such as “smart” white boards. The computers will allow students to access hundred of books online at different reading levels, along with other tools to help teachers monitor progress.