Thousands of Alberta students study at cyberschools.

Instead of running out the front door every weekday morning, T. Hartwick joins her three siblings in the family_s upstairs loft at her computer station to begin the school day. "I really like it," Hartwick, 15, said of cyberschool, a home-based online education that has attracted a rapidly growing number of Alberta students. "Compared to traditional school this offers more free time and far less homework because I can work at my own free pace," said Hartwick, who has gone to school by computer for three years. Alberta has become an international leader in computer education, with 5,500 students turning their homes into virtual classrooms. In just one year, the number of part-time students has jumped to 2,000 from 250. Most other provinces are just beginning to dabble in the field. Few offer a full high school curriculum online, so all eyes are on Alberta, which started its virtual education system three years ago. Some cyberstudents are medically fragile; some are athletes with demanding practice schedules; some are living outside Canada. Although some cyberschools start at kindergarten, St. Gabriel_s offers Grades 5 to 12. Most of its 390 students live in Alberta, but a few are scattered around the world. Courses are taught by certified members of the Alberta Teachers_ Association and the curriculum is set by Alberta Education. Alberta_s 19 cyberschools offer varying programs, so families can shop around for one that suits their needs. A parent is expected to be at home to supervise and encourage the children. The idea of students focused on a computer for several hours each day has raised some concern about their psychological and social well-being.