Laurel Springs: a great choice for accelerated learners
Updated on July 10, 2023
This review was written by Manisha Snoyer, the founder and CEO of Modulo, a company that provides resources and support families who are homeschooling their children. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, Manisha has instructed over 2,000 children of all ages and abilities in three countries and 18 subjects. She has tutored at some of the best private schools in the world and throughout the NYC public school system. Manisha graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University.
Laurel Springs supports unique learning styles, employs teachers and counselors, and sponsors real-time school events and clubs. We recommend it for students with outside commitments and accelerated learners, the college bound, and homeschoolers. Laurel Springs School’s K-12 online program allows students to grow and excel academically and personally while maintaining a flexible schedule. They feature a competency-based and asynchronous personalized approach to learning, which allows students to adapt their schedules to accommodate outside interests. They attract students from all 50 US states and scores of countries. Since 1991, Laurel Springs School strives to honor each student’s unique style of learning by providing a personalized approach to education that nurtures students’ academic and personal goals. Laurel Springs School's experienced teachers, school counselors, and subject matter experts work with each family to make up the learning team. Teachers provide academic and emotional support. Counselors help students achieve academic success. Parents act as academic coaches and provide additional learning materials, explore concepts, review assignments, read out loud, and express encouragement. Laurel Springs School boasts a 4.9-star approval rating (out of 5) based on online reviews from 100+ parents and students. Some parents praised their "excellent" and "helpful, kind, and engaging" staff. Others mentioned outstanding college preparation, their programs for gifted children, and the ability for their children to receive an excellent education while pursuing professional dreams. The Laurel Springs School is an accredited K-12 online school. As such, its disadvantages are the same as any other online school programs, particularly the student experiences fewer in-person social opportunities, the student requires self-motivation, and the classes require technical resources.
Grades: K-12
Cost: Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year varies based on the grade level, program, and program length (semester or full-year). Consult their extensive list of programs for details (https://laurelsprings.com/admissions/tuition/).
Key Features of Laurel Springs Online School
Laurel Springs School is an accredited, private online school for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The school offers a flexible and personalized learning experience that allows students to learn in the way that works best for them.
Key features include:
1. **Flexible Learning Schedule:** As an online school, Laurel Springs allows students to complete coursework at their own pace, providing the flexibility to accommodate other interests and activities.
2. **Accredited Curriculum:** The curriculum is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), AdvancED, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
3. **Personalized Learning Plans:** Each student receives a personalized learning plan designed to cater to their individual strengths, interests, and learning style.
4. **Wide Range of Course Offerings:** Laurel Springs offers a broad selection of courses, including honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, world languages, and electives. High school students can choose from over 100 courses.
5. **Experienced Teachers:** The faculty is comprised of experienced teachers, many of whom have advanced degrees in their fields.
6. **Student Support:** Students receive academic support and college planning assistance. Teachers, advisors, and counselors are available to assist students and parents.
7. **Social Opportunities:** The school offers virtual clubs and social events, providing opportunities for students to interact and form a sense of community.
8. **College Preparatory Focus:** For high school students, there is a strong focus on preparing for college, with college advising services, SAT and ACT prep, and a curriculum designed to meet university admission requirements.
Please note that for the most up-to-date and accurate information, you should visit the Laurel Springs School website or directly contact them, as the above is based on information available up to September 2021, and there may have been changes or updates since then.
Pros and cons of Laurel Springs
Pros:
1. Individualized Pace: Many parents mention the benefits of students being able to work at their own pace, which can be a huge advantage for some learners.
2. Flexibility: Laurel Springs seems to be a good fit for some students with unusual schedules or circumstances, such as being able to fit schoolwork around their activities.
3. Self-Education: Parents appreciate that the program promotes independent learning and problem-solving skills.
4. Broad Range of Subjects: Parents appreciate the range of subjects and classes offered, including the possibility of learning subjects like ASL.
5. Experienced and Supportive Staff: Some parents mention that the teaching staff is supportive and dedicated to students' learning.
Cons:
1. Lack of Teacher Support: A common complaint among parents is that the teachers are not always responsive or helpful. Some parents report a significant delay in teacher responses.
2. Expensive: Parents note that Laurel Springs is quite costly. They also mention additional expenses for projects despite the high tuition.
3. Subpar Curriculum Quality: Some parents argue that the content, particularly for lower grades, often doesn't make sense and lacks comprehensive or adequate information.
4. Writing Instruction: Some parents mention a lack of emphasis on writing and lack of feedback on writing assignments, requiring parents to supplement the instruction.
5. Difficulty with Withdrawal: Some parents experienced challenges when trying to withdraw from the program and found it difficult to get questions answered.
FAQ about Laurel Springs
1. Is Laurel Springs expensive?
Laurel Springs is known to be more expensive than many other online schools. Tuition varies by grade level and additional costs may be incurred for textbooks, supplies, or extracurricular activities. It's always best to consult the school's website or contact them directly for current tuition rates and fees.
2. Is Laurel Springs considered homeschool?
Laurel Springs is an accredited online private school, not a homeschool program. However, because learning takes place at home (or anywhere with internet access), it may resemble homeschooling in some ways. Students have flexibility in scheduling but are still held to the standards of the school's curriculum, and their work is guided and assessed by certified teachers.
3. Is Laurel Springs UC approved?
As of my last training in September 2021, Laurel Springs School was on the list of University of California (UC) approved schools. This means they offer 'a-g' approved courses which fulfill the subject requirements for freshman admissions to UC and California State University (CSU) campuses. It's important to verify this with the school or the UC system directly, as these approvals can change over time.
4. How big is Laurel Springs graduating class?
The size of the graduating class at Laurel Springs can vary from year to year, and this information might not be publicly available. It's best to reach out to the school directly for accurate and updated statistics.
5. Is Laurel Springs NCAA approved?
Laurel Springs School is recognized as an NCAA-approved online program. This means they offer core courses that meet NCAA eligibility standards for student-athletes. However, approvals can change, so student-athletes and their families should always verify this information with both the school and the NCAA Eligibility Center.
OTHER DETAILS
Key features
Type of Tool: Website, Textbook, Podcast, Youtube channel
Time required: The student time commitment varies based on the grade. On average, students in K-2 spend 1-2 hours per day on schoolwork. The daily average increases to 2-4 hours for grades 4-5, 3-5 hours for Middle School, and 4-5 hours for High School. High School Students taking AP classes may spend additional time on schoolwork.
Special Needs:
Literacy Requirement (does a child need to know how to read):
Screens
Screens: Yes, an electronic device is required
Online requirement:
Time
Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Elementary age kids require active parent involvement in planning and delivering the curriculum in partnership with the teachers. In Middle School, parents play a supervisory role. By High School, parents play the role of supervisor, academic coach, and mentor.
Prep Time: Minimal prep time
Other characteristics
Modality: Audio, Visual, Audiovisual, Multimedia, Hands-on/kinesthetic
Adaptive: Yes, it includes personalization
Educational Philosophy: Not really, doesn't seem to be influenced by a particular educational philosophy
Other characteristics: Hands-on, Project-based, Self-directed learning, Interdisciplinary, STEAM, STEM, Inclusive of diverse viewpoints and perspectives, Fun and entertaining
Accountability
Assessment: Yes, there are built in assessment tools
State Standards: Yes
Teacher Accounts:
Read Reviews: https://laurelsprings.com/reviews/
