By Brian X. Mccrone

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA — Two hundred sixth graders at Pepper Middle School will be the first students in the city to receive free computers from a New York City nonprofit group.

Computers for Youth, which has already given 8,000 computers to students in New York City, has decided to expand its educational generosity to Philadelphia students, the group said yesterday.

Students at Pepper Middle will be trained this weekend and next in how to use the computers, which the kids will then be allowed to take home.

School officials hope it will be the beginning of a long relationship with the group.

"This is a great opportunity for many of our students,"said schools CEO Paul Vallas. "We applaud CFY for their efforts in New York City, and we welcome them with open arms to our community."

Computers in a home have improved the classwork of a large majority of the New York students, according to Computers for Youth President Elisabeth Stock.

"This effort represents our first step towards a long-term commitment to supporting the schools, students, and families of Philadelphia," she said.

The group said it selects schools to work with based on income levels of the children’s households. At least 75 percent of students at a particular school must be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.