Why does LSS offer such a robust electives program with over 100 courses to choose from? “To create a home for all students no matter their passions and curiosities,” says Dr. Inge Salierno, the Electives Academic Department Chair for Laurel Springs School.

In the past year, the elective program at Laurel Springs, a private online school, has grown to include elective courses for all grades K-12. These courses – combined with over 90 clubs and activities, national competitions, and 15 honor societies – give our students the chance to dive into all kinds of creative, social, and intellectual passions.

How Do Online Electives Work?

Elective courses at Laurel Springs are structured in a way that allows students to first explore the foundational knowledge and then create opportunities for hands-on experience. What does that mean? 

In our Animation Course, for example, students learn about the history of and key experts in animation, types of animation, and tools are used to create animation. This knowledge allows students to build their animation skills on a solid foundation.

Once they achieve foundational knowledge, students dive into hands-on experience, allowing them to practice the skills needed to produce a product, project, or design. Students have plenty of room for out of the box ideas, creative problem solving and opportunities for collaboration.

“Taking electives courses affords benefits even beyond delving into favored topics, exploring new interests, and fostering individuality. Research demonstrates that content from electives courses can help to shape and reinforce the neural pathways that are essential for the skillsets that support students’ performance in core courses as well. These hidden benefits could include improved memory, problem solving abilities, and focus, just to name a few,” says Dr. Salierno.

“In my sophomore year I took Studio Arts and the class gave me an opportunity to expand my creative abilities in a wide range of mediums. I explored drawing, painting, and sculpture and I loved it. It inspired me to work hard and pursue art outside of school. This year, I am exploring a new medium by taking Intro to Photography. I love learning something new and this class has taught me so much. The art electives at Laurel Springs have encouraged me to broaden my talents and abilities and learn new things.” Madison, Class of 2026.

Opportunities for Deeper Dives:

Workshops

Middle school and high school students in the Academy program at Laurel Springs can add the workshop experience to some of our more popular electives. Workshops are live virtual sessions in which a group of students who are taking the same course meet once a week with an expert teacher to collaboratively work on their projects, engage in peer review, and practice critiques. 

The Academy currently offers workshops in Middle School Photography, Middle School 2D Art, Studio Arts (1&2), Digital Photography, Entrepreneurship, Physical Education & Fitness Foundations, and AP Art History.

SPARK Series

An exciting new exclusive opportunity for Academy students is the SPARK Series. These immersive live virtual seminars are held over 4 to 6 weeks and provide focused learning on a specific topic. Each seminar brings in an industry professional who offers feedback and hands-on experience for the students in attendance. 

The first SPARK series, Step Into the Spotlight: Auditioning with Confidence and Charisma, launches in October 2025. It focuses on the audition process for performing artists. Students will work with professionals who have auditioned, gain advice and insight, and participate in mock auditions while receiving feedback in a group setting.

AP Capstone Diploma Program

As part of its extensive AP program, Laurel Springs provides high school students the chance to participate in the 2-year AP Capstone experience. 

The Capstone experience consists of two courses that are paired together: AP seminar and AP Research. Learn more about these courses in our blog “Stand out on Your College Application with AP Capstone” by LSS Curriculum Manager, Sarah Clancy.

Students who complete both courses successfully and receive a score of 3 or higher from the College Board on their portfolios receive an AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Students who complete this AND complete at least four other AP courses with scores of 3 or higher on their exams are eligible to receive the AP Capstone Diploma from the College Board. Five seniors in the class of 2025 achieved one or both of these honors!

Showcasing Student Talents! 

LSS hosts a variety of events throughout the school year that allow students to shine:

• • 1. Two Annual Coffee Houses (winter and spring) which are organized by the members of our LOCC (Lion’s Open Curtain Circle) and our Chamber Orchestra.
    2. Annual Art Gala sponsored by the National Art Honor Society and Tri-M for both visual and performing artists
    3. Annual Film Festival sponsored by the Film Production and Screenwriting Club
    4. StartUps at Spring, a national competition (similar to Shark Tank) for entrepreneurial students. LSS students have advanced to the finals since the inception of this event: Shoshana Elgart in 2023 took second place and Zoe Auezov in 2024 took first place.
    5. Athlete Showcase sponsored by the National Athletic Honor Society in Collaboration with the Laurel Springs Counseling Department.

  What’s Next for the Electives at Laurel Springs?

  The Laurel Springs mission is always at the center of our work, and through our Electives program we aim to foster both curiosity and growth. Students should have the opportunity to not only try something new, but also to dive deeper into exploring topics and content that speak to them. As we continue to revise, expand, and iterate on Electives opportunities, Laurel Springs is committed to providing our students with the chance to pursue their passions in deep, meaningful ways both inside and outside their courses.. 

   

  “Teaching elective courses at Laurel Springs School is a special experience because it allows teachers and students to connect on a more personal level by sharing their passions outside of the standard curriculum. Through elective courses, Laurel Springs School teachers and students can collaborate, create, and explore topics of their choice.”  – Mrs. Dana Kershaw, Physical Education and Fitness Teacher.

   

  Want to learn more?

  Learn more about our private online school and how our flexible program transforms students into lifelong learners by attending an upcoming open house.

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