“Don’t be afraid of what’s presented to you – be open-minded. Be open to learning new things and meeting new people. You’re never stuck.”

These wise words come from Laurel Springs Alumna Erin Cearlock, someone who took life by the horns at a young age and pursued online education to forge her own unique path.

Finding the Right Fit with Virtual Learning

Born in Houston, Texas, Erin had already experienced various learning environments – including public school, private school, and homeschooling – due to her background as a child actor. Despite thriving socially and academically in her public high school, Erin felt an itch to move forward and explore her passions more fully.

“In traditional school, everyone was kind of on the same path,” she explains. “I always felt a little ahead of my peers when it came to maturity. I wanted to get a high-quality education but at my own pace, a faster pace, and with the flexibility to pursue my hobbies at the time, like playing french horn in the Houston Youth Symphony and engaging in lots of performing arts.”

Erin began investigating ways to graduate early and discovered Laurel Springs School, one of the top online private schools in the nation. At Laurel Springs, Erin found the perfect blend of academic opportunity and flexibility she was looking for, including AP classes and the individual support to make her educational dreams come true. This allowed her to complete her junior and senior years in just one year and graduate in the class of 2020.

See why others choose Laurel Springs School

Personalized Support and Discovering Her Dream College

“In public school, my counselor had no idea who I was,” Erin reflects. “At Laurel Springs, my college counselor was really helpful in understanding my goals and what I wanted to accomplish. I had a very ambitious list of like 16 colleges and universities I applied to, and my counselor was regularly in contact with me, keeping track of deadlines for applications, helping me learn how to present myself, and giving feedback on my common app essay.”

Erin successfully navigated the college admissions process and found her perfect fit at William & Mary, a small liberal arts school with a historic campus (established in 1693!) and a tight-knit community. She toured the campus on the hottest day of the year and fell in love with it instantly. The school’s motto, “Those who come here belong here,” rang true for Erin.

At W&M, she flourished, graduating in 2024 with a double major in anthropology and government, and a certificate in public history and material culture (a fancy way of saying artifacts). Erin’s love for telling stories and hearing other people’s stories ultimately led her to archaeology and exploring how we can tell stories through this lens. As a student, she even became an admissions tour guide and had the opportunity to give a tour to Laurel Springs students while they were on a field trip!

Life After College, Self-Discovery, and Words of Wisdom

Today, Erin continues to welcome new opportunities with open arms and explore her passions. As a Cultural Steward Intern with the Appalachian Conservation Corps, she works with the National Park Service at the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Historic Trail, engaging in community-engaged heritage management and archaeological excavations.

Erin’s experiences have taught her to follow her intuition and seize opportunities when they arise. Looking ahead, she hopes to attend law school for cultural heritage law while also pursuing personal interests like joining a comedy club, participating in community theater, and taking a ceramics class.

When asked what advice she would give to others considering following their heart instead of the societal norm, Erin shares, “If you have an inkling to do something, like go to college earlier or enroll in online school, don’t be afraid to follow that gut feeling. If you’re motivated and have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to go after it.”

Her story is an inspiration for others who might be considering nontraditional learning or taking a different path than their peers. As Erin’s journey shows, embracing new opportunities and prioritizing personal growth can lead to a truly fulfilling life – you just have to be willing to take that leap of faith!

To connect with Erin as a fellow Laurel Springs Alum, be sure to join her on LSS Alumni Connect, and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram!

About Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs is a fully accredited, private online school for K-12 students. With a premier college-prep curriculum including AP® and Honors courses, an ever-expanding schedule of in-person and virtual events, and a global community spanning over 100 countries, we’re ranked as one of the best online private schools in the nation. Join us for a Virtual Open House to learn more and we’ll waive your $300 registration fee when you enroll. Also, see what our current families have to say on Niche!

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