Online High School Socialization, Clubs, and Community

Online Learning Resources

08/31/2026

By Patti McClimans, M.Ed., Dean of Community Engagement

Will my child have the opportunity for socialization if they attend an online high school? Absolutely – as long as they intentionally lean into the opportunities that are made available to them.

Academics makes up only a portion of the high school experience. At Laurel Springs, we believe that the relationships, the shared interests, and the sense of belonging is what turns an education into a formative experience. Parents want reassurance that a flexible academic schedule will not come at the cost of friendships, mentors, or a sense of school pride.

Socialization in online high school is not only possible, it can be more intentional than in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting. At Laurel Springs online high school, community is built into the structure of our school experience through clubs, honor societies, live events, and counseling that is designed around the individual student rather than a full classroom. Each of these pieces is designed to give students multiple ways to connect, whether their interests lean toward academics, the arts, athletics, or leadership.

At a glance, Laurel Springs high school students build community through:

60+ clubs including Debate Club, Investment Club, Chamber Orchestra, Chess Club, Coding Club, and Astronomy club,
13 honor societies, including National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society,
Leadership opportunities, such as Student Government and Student Ambassador programs,
Team Competition programs, such as math competitions, Model UN and Future Cities,
In-person events, including regional field trips, travel learning trips, local meet-ups, and our Year-End Celebration,
1:1 counseling services that encourage students to reach their academic, social-emotional, and college and career readiness goals, and
The Academy, a collaborative, hybrid program for grades 6 to 12 with weekly live Workshops, a dedicated Academy Counselor, and a Symposium course focused on research and discussion.

Reframing the Myth of the Isolated Online Student

The stereotype of the student working alone, disconnected from peers, does not reflect how a well-designed online school actually operates. As we discussed in our blog about socialization in the virtual classroom, the concern that online learning leads to isolation is understandable, but virtual education can be just as full of social opportunity as a traditional classroom when the school builds deliberate programming around it.

That programming starts with the recognition that connection has to be designed, not assumed. Flexibility is often what draws families to enroll at Laurel Springs in the first place, and that can actually give students more time to socialize through local athletic clubs or programs, community programs, or youth groups. Students stay engaged in the Laurel Springs school community through the clubs and honor societies they join, the in-person events they attend, and the teachers and counselor who know them by name.

More Than 60 Clubs, and a Team Dedicated to Community

Clubs are a way Laurel Springs students find peers who share their interests. Groups range from small virtual gatherings of three or four students to larger clubs of 30 or more. Club options vary each year, but examples include: Debate Club, AI Club, Crochet and Knitting Club, Investment Club, Equestrian Club, Coding Club, and Astronomy club.

Twice a year, in the fall and spring, Laurel Springs hosts Community Fairs specifically so students can explore the full range of clubs and community groups before committing. Families and students can also reach out to community@laurelsprings.com or to their assigned counselor for help finding the right fit.

Student Leadership that Builds Real-World Skills

High school students at Laurel Springs can build real-world leadership skills by leading clubs and activities, participating in Student Government, serving as Student Ambassadors, or serving as Peer Mentors in The Academy. New and returning student leaders participate in our annual Student Leadership Summit each August, where they learn from adult leaders and explore leadership and communication strategies. Through these programs, students hone their abilities to actively listen, organize teams, and build long-term vision.

In-Person Events That Bring Students Together

Laurel Springs organizes a full calendar of in-person opportunities for students to meet up and bond. These experiences help students connect with peers across grade levels, develop meaningful friendship, and build a sense of belonging. Events include:

Field trips: Full-day outings to museums, amusement parks, and more. Previous trips included Asheville, New Haven, Quebec City, San Francisco, Kansas City, San Antonio, Puerto Rico, Savannah, and New York.
Travel Learning trips: Multi-day, high school-exclusive experiences centered on history and leadership. Past trips included Japan, Costa Rica, London, Paris, and Normandy.
Regional meet-ups: Free, partial-day gatherings staffed by school employees and parent representatives. Many meet-ups follow a regional field trip, so families can easily make these into multi-day excursions.
Year-End Celebration (YEC): The single largest gathering on the Laurel Springs calendar, a multi-day event with graduation ceremonies, prom, socials, and more. A recap of recent celebrations captures just how much energy a community of online students can bring to a shared, in-person moment.

High-Touch Counseling as the Foundation for Belonging

Our College Counselors hold memberships with the National Association for College Admission Counseling to stay up to speed on the changing college admissions landscape and trends. This expertise allows Laurel Springs’ counselors to provide tailored support on selecting courses that align to a student’s future interests, from Honors and AP to dual enrollment, as well as college exploration and application planning. College-bound student athletes receive additional individualized attention from our dedicated Athletic Counselors, who are experts in navigating NCAA eligibility requirements and supporting students who are on a path to college or professional sports.

The Academy: A Hybrid, More Collaborative Experience

Families who want an even more immersive version of Laurel Springs can enroll in The Academy, a hybrid program for grades 6 through 12. Built on the same foundation as the main full-time program, The Academy is designed for students who want deeper collaboration. Academy students gain:

Weekly live Workshops with expert teachers across more than 70 courses, plus Symposium courses that emphasize research and discussion
Virtual and live lab access for science coursework
An expert Academy Counselor starting as early as 6th grade, who continues supporting the student all the way through graduation
Peer mentoring, pairing newer students with those further along in the program
90+ middle and high school clubs available school-wide, including 16 honor societies and Academy-exclusive events and college preparation programming
Two dual enrollment courses per term beginning in 9th grade, compared to one per term for main full-time program grade 11 and 12 students

Balancing Local Community with Online Community

Laurel Springs encourages families to pair the school’s clubs and events with local involvement, whether that means community theater, local sports leagues, or volunteer work. Our blog about cultivating a thriving social life as an online student frames this well: students who show up authentically engaged, whether in a discussion forum, a club meeting, or a local activity, tend to build the strongest and most durable friendships, both inside and outside the Laurel Springs community.

This dual approach is one of the advantages of a flexible school schedule. Because coursework is self-paced and asynchronous, a student training competitively or performing on stage has room in the week for both academics and community, rather than having to choose one over the other.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online High School Socialization

About the Author

Patti McClimans has been in the field of education for over 30 years. After teaching in a brick setting for several years, Patti joined Laurel Springs in 2016 in the high school math department. During her time at Laurel Springs she has served as Math Teacher, Math Academic Dept. Chair, Education Manager Liaison and now Dean of Community Engagement. Patti holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Secondary Mathematics, both received from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is excited to continue working to build the Laurel Springs Community with virtual and in-person events throughout the year and to help all families feel as an essential part of our global LSS Community within and beyond the classroom.