The History of Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs School was co-founded in 1991 by Marilyn Mosley Gordanier and a dedicated group of educators with an expressed mission to honor each child’s unique style of learning, support students to achieve their academic goals, and foster their personal interests and talents. In 1994, Laurel Springs earned the distinction of becoming one of the first schools in the United States to successfully develop an online curriculum. On NBC Television’s Today Show, in 1996, Bryant Gumbel dubbed Laurel Springs “the wave of the future.” Laurel Springs currently serves more than 3,000 students in all 50 states and in 43 countries. A high percentage of Laurel Springs graduates enjoy acceptance to their college of choice. Since 1991, Laurel Springs School has successfully graduated more than 4,000 students. The school continues to actualize its mission of honoring each student’s unique style of learning by providing a personalized approach to education that nurtures students’ academic and personal goals. High college acceptance rates and successful career choices by its students attest to Laurel Springs’ ongoing commitment to prepare students for college and for life.

Achievements

In 1998, college prep courses were articulated for the University of California a-g listing, ensuring that Laurel Springs graduates are eligible to apply to the UC schools. In 2000, Laurel Springs became the first distance learning program to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and become an approved member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In 2006, the school gained membership in the prestigious National Honor Society.

Awards

Laurel Springs has won numerous awards for its innovative and heartfelt commitment to educating youth. They include: the United Nations Global 500 Award, a nomination for the Nobel Earth Prize, the North American Environmental Education Award, the United States Distance Learning Association Leadership Award, and commendations from President Clinton, Vice-President Gore, California Assemblyman Jack O’Connell, California Assemblywomen Cathie Wright, Congressman Robert Lagomarsino and Congressman Elton Gallegly.