What is the difference between the Courses for Credit program and the Homeschooling program?
The Courses for Credit Program allows students to take classes at home while enrolled and attending school whereas the Homeschooling program is a full time program which replaces traditional schooling entirely.


Who/what is Laurel Springs School?
They are a personalized distance learning and homeschooling program that have been educating students since 1980. We combined our instruction with Laurel Springs curriculum and accreditation, and created an exceptionally unique program that is unmatched by any other program available.


What does WASC Stand for?
Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This is one of the six regional accrediting organizations in the United States.


What will my child's daily schedule look like if I enroll him/her in this program?
Courses for credit & homeschooling hours are quite flexible as the program works around your schedule. Not only are you able to pick the day and time, but there are flexible beginning and ending dates.

How are grades assigned?
Students earn their grades based on their performance on assignments and tests. Laurel Springs School is a mastery based program which provides clear guidelines on the criteria for grades. Students are given the opportunity to work on the assignment until they truly learn the material and reach their desired grade. The Academic Advantage will guide your student, assist them with any difficult areas and encourage them to master the lesson to their satisfaction. The Academic Advantage will assist the student in submitting their work to Laurel Springs, where the teacher will grade the work and return comments to your student. When the course is completed the Laurel Springs School teacher will submit the final grades to the records office and an evaluation will be sent to the parents, student and tutor.


Are you an accredited school?
We combined our instruction with Laurel Springs School curriculum and accreditation, and created an exceptionally unique program that is unmatched by any other program out there. Laurel Springs is an accredited distant learning and homeschooling program that has been educating students since 1991. They are accredited by WASC.


When can we get started?
Once we get the enrollment and payment back from you, it generally takes us 1-2 weeks to finalize your schedule with the instructor and to set up the curriculum for the course. However, as soon as we do finalize things we will give you a call and the sooner we get the enrollment form back, the sooner we can get the process started.


Are AP courses offered?
At the moment we do not. However, our curriculum department is working on encompassing AP courses. We recommend researching local community colleges or your local high school. The Laurel Springs High School Honors Program is designed for the university-bound student seeking a very challenging home study academic curriculum. Using advanced independent-study materials, enriched and balanced by instructor feedback and hands-on involvement in community projects, each student is assisted in fulfilling the challenging college entrance requirements, while being free to explore and realize personal goals and interests. The Laurel Springs Honors Program emphasizes vocabulary development, critical thinking, problem solving, expository writing and research.


Are we allowed to enroll in the middle of the school year?
If your student has received full semester credit at his/her current public or private school, he/she may transfer in and complete the second semester at Laurel Springs School. If your student has not completed the entire semester, he/she can enter in at the second quarter and complete work for 3 quarters. If a student is somewhere in between, special arrangements can be made with the Enrollment Advisor as well as the assigned LSS teacher to show proof of work for those units already completed.


How will I know the credits will transfer/be accepted by my child's current school?
Yes, they will. Laurel Springs is a legally accredited private school. Our registrar will send official transcripts and evaluations to your child's new school.


Which kind of student is this program good for?
The courses for credit program is especially suited for students who need to take or retake a class, want to replace summer school, don't want to take a class at their current school for any reason, or if they simply want to get ahead.


How long is your school year?
A school year is composed of 36 lessons, each lesson takes approximately one week to complete. However, some lessons may not take a full week to master so it may be less than 36 weeks and remember in our program you are not forced to start in September and end in June-we can start and end whenever you want just so long as the 36 lessons are completed. The enrollment period is 5 months for a semester and 10 months for a year program. If the student needs more time to complete the course and extension is available for an additional fee. This fee pays for the Laurel Springs School teacher to continue working with your student.


Can my child complete 4 years of high school through homeschooling?
Yes. Laurel Springs offers a complete four-year program with 65 units for 9th grade, 70 units for 10th grade, and 50 units recommended for 11th and 12th grade. Students can construct a high school curriculum for either general education or for entrance to college. Students earn a standard academic diploma upon completing 225 units of academic and elective courses. All high school classes must be documented by the previous school and credit for classes taken at local Junior Colleges may also be applied to the high school graduation requirements. We are proud to report we have students attending the colleges of their choice.


How many instructors will I have?
In elementary school your student will usually have one teacher for all their courses. Junior high and high school students will have between 2 and 5 teachers, depending whether you choose to learn a foreign language, enroll in honors courses, or request a certain teacher who teaches multiple subjects.


Does my child need to pass a proficiency exam?
Laurel Springs offers assessments to all students in math and language arts to identify any areas that could use extra attention in a specific subject. A placement test is also available in most subjects to help determine what grade or course the student should take. A consultation is available with a Laurel Springs' counselor if the parent wants input beyond the assessment scoring.


Is credit provided for work experience, whether paid or volunteer?
Credit for work experience is provided, whether paid or volunteer. Laurel Springs School offers an Elective Portfolio that the student can apply towards their work interests for credit. Sports will be part of the PE grade and music fulfills a requirement for fine arts.


Is credit assigned for previously completed high school work?
Credit is provided for previously completed full-semester work taken through an accredited public or private high school. Laurel Springs will also work with students transferring mid-semester. Every attempt is made to give credit for lessons completed at your previous school. The Laurel Springs Schools' Records Department will assist you in collecting "grades to date" from your previous teachers. The student can take an assessment and determine what areas they still need to address. Courses taken from non-accredited schools or through home schooling will be reviewed on a case by case basis.


Are there any other ways that my child can receive extra credits?
Yes, credit for work experience is offered as long as prior approval is granted from Laurel Springs School. Elective Portfolios are available for credit and can be a wonderful and creative way for your student to share their passions including travel, hobbies or sports.


What extra services are provided for high school students?
We provide records to send to your insurance provider for good student driver discounts, assistance for your child to obtain a work permit and guidance for your child to enroll in a local junior college. All high school students are welcome to attend our prom and senior high school students may request up to five letters of recommendation for colleges and of course participate in our graduation ceremony. These are just a few of the ways we help high school students.


How can students maintain social contact and be a part of a peer group and still get an individualized education?
Children enrolled in a homeschooling program generally thrive and excel at home. Studies show that they perform at least one to two grade levels above students in public school. They do not have the daily distractions of other children's wants and desires and are not intimidated by teachers who may not understand their style of learning. They learn to socialize with children and adults of all ages. This form of socialization allows students to learn from people of all ages, rather than identifying solely with their peers. The socialization experienced in school can often be a negative experience. Students there primarily meet and identify with students their own age and are often introduced to activities that a parent may consider less than healthy.

It is very important for children to develop social skills with others their own age. To better develop socially, students are encouraged to join play groups, volunteer groups, community service and study groups with other homeschooled children. Field trips are strongly encouraged. Laurel Springs School philosophy is that children will absorb what they are learning by applying it to the outside world, both culturally and physically. We believe the best opportunity to learn is through experience. Someone can tell you everything you need to know, but until it has become personalized through life experience, it is sometimes difficult to grasp.


Do students enrolled in this program get into college? If yes, which ones?
Of responding Laurel Springs High School graduates, 74% go on to college: 44% to 4-year colleges and universities and 30% to community colleges. Some of the colleges and universities that have accepted Laurel Springs graduates include but are not limited to: The American College of Dramatic Arts; American University; Arizona State University; Bryn Mawr College; Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo; California State University-Humboldt; California State University-Northridge; Columbia University; Duke University; Fresno State University; Harvard University; Hofstra University; Ithaca College; Loyola Marymount University; The Maritime Academy; New York University; Pace University; Pepperdine University; Princeton University; Reed College; Sarah Lawrence College; University of California-Berkeley.


How does Laurel Springs School's program compare to other available programs?

Laurel Springs is known for the following services:

We customize curriculum to meet your child's need. Our philosophy of education encourages flexibility and understanding of each child's learning style.

We offer the finest online learning style assessment in the world.

We offer online, text-based, choice-based, project-based and completely customized curriculum.

Every student is assigned his or her own teacher.

We grade every student assignment (not just their tests).

We provide you with numerous curriculum options and your student has a say in his or her education.

Our staff of over 37 personnel is ready to help you at any time. We provide enrollment counseling, college and vocational counseling, a quarterly newsletter, a yearbook, a prom and graduation, and more.

Can my child work at an accelerated pace and move on to the next grade?
We encourage all of our students to work at whatever pace is comfortable for them. On average, a student must spend 4 hours per course/per week. A parent can plan a full academic schedule based on this information to ensure the student completes the course work within 10 months. Every child has varying learning styles, so we encourage them to work at a pace that is comfortable for them.

If a student has completed all of the required course work in his/her grade level, you may re-enroll into the next grade level without waiting for the enrollment period to expire. A new enrollment period will begin as soon as the re-enrollment has been completed with your enrollment advisor.


Are transcripts accepted by colleges or universities?
Our transcripts are accepted by colleges and universities around the world.


Will my child receive a "real" diploma when they graduate?
Yes, you will receive a real diploma. Our prom and graduation are held at the Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills, California. Students from around the world often fly in for these amazing and moving events. (Local families often host our graduates.) Last year 36 students attended graduation before an audience of over 400 people. Our graduations have been covered by local newspapers as well as The Los Angeles Times and People magazine. We offer a full graduation ceremony, complete with invitations, caps and gowns, and diplomas. Students who cannot attend are provided with a diploma and tassel.


If my child decided to go back to the public school system, will he/she be accepted? Will credits transfer?
Yes, they will. Laurel Springs is a legally accredited private school. Our registrar will send official transcripts and evaluations to your child's new school.



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