By Alyssa Tormala, Head of School

Cost is one of the first questions families ask once they begin seriously considering a private online high school, and it is a fair question to ask. Tuition for online programs varies considerably depending on the level of support included and whether a student enrolls full-time or on a per-course basis.

At Laurel Springs School, a private, accredited online K-12 school, full-time high school tuition is $11,700 per year, or $6,450 per semester.

This blog walks through exactly what a private online high school costs at Laurel Springs, what that tuition includes, and what financial assistance options exist for families who need them.

Why Private Online High School Costs Vary So Widely

Before looking at specific figures, it helps to understand what actually drives cost in any private school program, including private online high schools.

Factors that can impact tuition include:

• Whether the program offers a full range of academic courses in all core content areas, including Honors, AP, and dual-enrollment opportunities
• Whether the program offers world language and elective courses, or expects families to obtain these options through external programs
• Whether the program includes high-touch live academic and social support from teachers and counselors, or only self-paced content
• Whether the school is fully accredited by one or more reputable accrediting organizations
• Whether the school has a solid reputation with colleges and universities and strong graduation and college acceptance outcomes
• Whether the school offers social and extracurricular opportunities, such as clubs, field trips, honor societies, and leadership programs
• Where the program is located and whether students are expected to attend courses in a physical location.

A program offering only recorded lessons and automated grading will typically cost less than one that pairs high-quality self-paced coursework designed specifically for online learners with 1:1 academic support from certified teachers and a dedicated counselor. Families comparing options should look past the sticker price and ask what is actually included in that tuition. Depending on the value provided by the program, annual tuition can be an incredible investment in your high school student’s future success.

Laurel Springs Full-Time Tuition

At Laurel Springs, a private, accredited online K-12 school, full-time high school tuition is $11,700 per year, or $6,450 per semester. Students who want additional live instruction, collaboration with peers, access to additional academic enhancements, and a more structured weekly rhythm can enroll in The Academy for $17,250 per year, or $9,425 per semester.

Complete, current pricing across every grade is maintained on the Tuition page and should always be a family’s final reference point, since figures are subject to change from year to year.

What Tuition at Laurel Springs High School Includes

Full-time tuition covers more than just course access. We offer everything that any private high school might offer, plus more. Full-time high school tuition includes:le.

• Academic placement and records review
• A full course load drawn from more than 300 courses, including Honors, AP®, six world languages, and 100+ electives
• Access to one dual enrollment course per enrollment starting in grade 11
• 1:1 academic support from certified teachers
• An assigned college counselor who provides academic planning, social and academic support, and college and career planning
• Athletic counseling for NCAA eligibility
• Access to more than 90 clubs and activities, including 16 honor societies
• Access to monthly in-person family field trips, regional meet-ups, and annual travel learning trips
• Access to our annual in-person Year-End Celebration, which includes a live graduation ceremony, prom, field trips, and other social events
• Access to virtual 1:1 music lessons through our partnership with Forte Music by Virtu.Academy
• Access to 24/7 live virtual tutoring through our partnership with Tutor.com
• Official transcripts and diploma

Students who enroll in The Academy also receive:

• Access to over 70 courses with Workshop, a weekly live one-hour instructional session with a teacher and class of students in the same course
• Access to two dual enrollment courses per enrollment starting in grade 9
• A Symposium course designed to engage students in essential concepts such as growth mindset, problem-solving, and learning science through individual research and project development
• An assigned Academy Counselor starting as early as grade 6
• Access to extra programming in support of college and career planning
• Access to Academy-exclusive learning experiences, competition programs, and activities
• Academy Distinction at Graduation

Example of Tuition at Laurel Springs School:

Single-Course and Part-Time Pricing

For online high school students, current per-course pricing at Laurel Springs is:

• Advanced Placement (AP®): $2,200 per year
• Honors: $1,950 per year
• College Prep and electives: $1,850 per year
• Physical Education: $900 per year

Semester options are also available for most courses. Current single-course pricing across every subject and grade level is maintained on the Tuition page, since course fees are reviewed between academic years.

How does Laurel Springs tuition compare to other private high schools?

According to organizations like NAIS, Private School Review, and The Education Data Initiative, the average tuition for private high school in the United States is nearly $18,000 per year, and many private high schools range far higher. At $11,700 per year, Laurel Springs full-time high school tuition is well below the national average and provides excellent value for that price, including when compared to other online private high school programs. See comparison chart below.

*Tuition as shown on each school’s website for full-time online high school programs.

Financial Assistance and Ways to Reduce Cost

Families who reside in Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, and New Hampshire may qualify for access to funds through their state Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, which can cover partial or full tuition subject to state approval. Because ESA programs are administered entirely by each state, eligibility and award amounts should be confirmed directly with the relevant state agency before enrollment.

Beyond state programs, Laurel Springs offers a variety of tuition assistance, including:

• Discounts for siblings enrolled at the same time
• Discounts for students of active military and veteran families
• Discounts for families who pay tuition in full
• Referral program for current families
• Registration fee waivers for families who attend a Virtual Open
• House and enroll within two weeks of attendance

Our blog post on ways to pay for private school tuition covers financial planning strategies beyond what is outlined here. The most reliable next step is a direct conversation with an Admissions Coordinator through the Tuition page or by requesting information directly.

Weighing Cost Against Outcomes

Cost comparisons are more meaningful when outcomes are part of the equation. Here’s what Laurel Springs graduates achieved in 2026:

• The Class of 2026 included a Cameron Impact Scholar, two Coca-Cola Scholars, two National Merit Finalists, and five students who received an AP Capstone certificate or diploma
• 438 unique colleges and universities accepted Class of 2026 graduates into their programs
• 84% were admitted to at least one of their top three school choices, and 71% were admitted to their top choice school
• 28% were admitted to highly selective colleges and universities (those with a 25% or lower acceptance rate)
• Graduates were awarded more than $195,000 in average scholarship dollars over the past three years

These figures reflect the power of the academic placement and 1:1 counseling built into every full-time enrollment, and are worth weighing alongside tuition when comparing a private online high school to other paths. Families also do not need to commit to a full year to evaluate fit: Laurel Springs uses rolling admissions, meaning students can typically begin coursework on almost any Wednesday throughout the school year, as covered further in our post on starting at Laurel Springs when you’re ready.

Considering the extra value of online learning

Students in an intentionally designed, established online private high school like Laurel Springs gain far more than just access to high quality academics. Asynchronous learning can help build essential life skills at an early age that serve students extraordinarily well in college and career.

Online school students learn:

• Independence
• A deeper understanding of their own learning styles and needs, and the ability to adjust their learning experience accordingly
• Time-management skills driven by designing their own daily or weekly schedules that balance academic work with external passions such as athletics or performing arts
• Professional communication skills in email and video conferencing
• Comfort with actively seeking help from teachers and counselors – a skill that many college professors argue is one of the key factors in undergraduate student success

A Clear Next Step

The most reliable way to understand what a private online high school will cost for a specific student is a conversation with an Admissions Coordinator, who can review course needs and walk through any applicable financial assistance. Apply Now, Request Information, or join an upcoming Virtual Open House to get a cost breakdown built around your student’s specific academic placement.

Frequently Asked Questions about Online School Tuition

About the Author

Alyssa Tormala has been in the field of education for nearly 20 years and before that, practiced law for six years. During her educational career, she has served as a high school teacher, department chair, Instructional Technology Coach, Vice Principal of PD and Innovation, and has served Laurel Springs as Dean of Faculty and Director of Teaching & Learning before moving into her current role as Head of School. She is passionate about the art and science of learning in all formats and has deep experience in faculty development, instructional best practices, and curriculum design. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees (English Literature and Mass Communication) from University of Utah, a Juris Doctorate from Stanford University, a Masters in Education from Portland State University, and a School Administration Certificate from University of Portland.

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