Find Purpose Between Chapters: The Laurel Springs Gap Year Program

    Request InformationApply Now

    Whether you’re taking a semester or year-long hiatus, The Gap Year Program at Laurel Springs School prepares you for your next step. We help recent high school graduates transition to college or university and provide them with the necessary tools and skills to pave their career paths confidently.

    Request InformationApply Now
    Laurel Springs School’s Postgraduate Program will prepare you for your next step in life

    Why pursue a gap year?

    Request Information

    Strengthen Your Academic Portfolio

    Our Gap Year Program is uniquely tailored to each student’s goals, offering a meaningful academic experience for ambitious learners. Students have access to our entire High School catalog so they can expand their academic portfolio, familiarize themselves with college-level coursework, and explore potential majors or career paths. Benefits include:

    • College-level courses through partnerships with Baylor University and Syracuse University
    • 60 Honors and AP courses
    • 86 World language courses
    • Elective courses
    As a fully-customizable program, gap year students can take a single course or several courses, while also participating in a virtual internship or combination of opportunities offered. One could say the Laurel Springs Gap Year Program allows high school graduates to choose their own adventure and pave their own path forward.

     

    College Counseling

    Gap Year Program students who opt in to the College Counseling program receive the guidance they need from an assigned College Counselor and a college and life planning seminar. Your College Counselor meets with you throughout the program to help you navigate the college admissions process and balance your Laurel Springs studies with your other pursuits.

    • The Seminar course includes a wide variety of resources and a wealth of knowledge applicable to students’ current college and career goals or plans. It covers self-advocacy, growth mindset, and professional etiquette, contributing to a successful transition to higher education.
    • Gap Year students also receive access to Naviance, a comprehensive, college and career readiness platform that promotes self-discovery, career exploration, and college preparation, and is used as a part of the college admissions process.

    One-of-a-kind Virtual Internships

    Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program offers remote internships in the field and location of your choice through a partnership with Virtual Internships, an organization that partners with 13,000 companies in more than 80 countries to provide students with unique real-world work opportunities. During a one- to four-month internship, you’ll have access to webinars, coaching, and personalized support as you further your professional development on a global scale. All virtual internships follow the career readiness criteria outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

    Cultivate Athletic Pursuits

    Laurel Springs Gap Year students can take advantage of an NCAA-approved curriculum and expert counseling for college-bound athletes – including NCAA eligibility, recruitment, and college admission preparation. While taking challenging coursework to strengthen a GPA or transcript, student athletes can continue to improve their physical strength and skills, participate in athletic recruitment, and develop a well-rounded skill set that colleges actively seek.

    Ready to make the most of your gap year?

    Taking time to intentionally prepare for your college or career move is a smart and courageous choice. Enroll in Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program today to gain access to the tools and resources you need to succeed!
    Request InformationApply Now
    Enroll today to get the tools and support you need to succeed.

    Gap Year Program FAQs

    • Who is eligible to participate in the Gap Year Program at Laurel Springs?

      Students who are highly motivated, curious, responsible, and engaged learners are an ideal fit for the Gap Year Program at Laurel Springs. This program is intended for recent high school graduates. To enroll, you must submit your final high school transcript confirming graduation and be 20 years of age or younger.

    • What is a gap year?

      A gap year is a semester or year-long break taken by a student in between secondary school and higher education. It usually involves developmental and educational opportunities outside of typical academics.

    • Why would a student choose to take a gap year?

      Students choose to take a gap year for various reasons. Some travel while others get a job, pursue internships, volunteer, take more courses, explore majors, develop athletic talents, or pursue other developmental opportunities. It doesn’t matter a student’s reason for taking a Gap Year; all that matters is that they make the most of it!
      Read “Is Taking a Gap Year the Right Choice?”

    • What is a postgraduate program?

      Traditionally, a postgraduate program is designed for high school graduates to take additional coursework. This helps strengthen their academic record and better prepares them for college admission evaluations.

    • What makes Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program unique?

      Laurel Springs School offers a distinctive gap year program tailored for recent high school graduates. Designed to bridge the gap between high school and higher education, our program intertwines academic courses and hands-on experiential learning. Within the Laurel Springs’ framework, students can dive into prospective majors, engage in advanced college-level courses, partake in internships, and strengthen essential skills to enhance their college applications.

    • Is Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program an adult education program?

      No, a gap year or postgraduate program is not equivalent to an adult education program. Adult education programs are designed to help adult learners hone their literacy and English skills and/or gain technical career skills. Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program is designed for recent high school graduates to take advanced courses, explore and develop areas of interest, and prepare for their next academic step.

    • What courses can participants in the Laurel Springs Gap Year Program take?

      Laurel Springs postgraduate students have access to all classes available in the Laurel Springs’ High School catalog.

    • Is there a minimum course requirement?

      No, postgraduate students can take as many or as few courses as they’d like in our program.

    • Do you earn a transcript for the Laurel Springs Gap Year Program?

      You may request a postgraduate transcript; however, it will not contribute to your final high school GPA. Laurel Springs’ postgraduate (PG) credit does not transfer to colleges and universities unless it is associated with an AP course. In that case, it is at the discretion of the specific colleges and universities to accept the AP credit. Earned college course credit may be transferred to colleges and universities.

    • Is the Gap Year Program at Laurel Springs a boarding school postgraduate program?

      No, our Gap Year Program is completely online. We only have virtual classrooms here!

    • What is the tuition cost for Laurel Springs’ Gap Year Program?

      Tuition is based on your selected courses. Please contact an admissions coordinator to learn more about pricing.

    • Can international students participate in the Laurel Springs Gap Year program?

      Enrollment in the Gap Year Program is an excellent way to demonstrate your ability to succeed in higher-level courses from a US-based curriculum, providing you with an impressive transcript that sets you apart from your peers. International students are required to demonstrate English language proficiency before enrollment.

    • Are there any special circumstances that I should be aware of as a high school graduate enrolling in a gap year program?

      Students who have been deferred by a college or university should be aware of existing policies surrounding the institution’s deferment terms.

      Students taking AP courses should note that the College Board requires AP exams to be taken while a student is under the age of 21. Additionally, the student should not be enrolled in college at any time following high school graduation. Furthermore, if a student is seeking AP college credit, they should be aware of the AP exam credit policies held by their targeted colleges or universities.

      Students taking college-level courses should be aware of transfer admissions policies and transfer credit policies that exist for their targeted colleges and universities.