Written by Zachary Santana, Admissions Coordinator at Laurel Springs School

Read time: 3 minutes

Lights..camera…online school? This last spring, I had the pleasure of attending the Laurel Springs Film Festival, and oh, what a blast it was! Students ranged from 3rd to 12th grade and there was so much diversity and rich storytelling in their films. It was hard to believe these children were just starting out and not adults with years of experience.

I loved being able to see the creativity in our students and the different styles of film they created. From stop motion and animation, to narrative storytelling and even incorporation of Artificial Intelligence – it was truly a joy to be a part of.

As a screenwriter myself, it was intriguing to see the intricacies of their filmmaking process and deep and innovative concepts. It wasn’t just the films either, it was the support the students had for one another that I believe truly brought more value to their experience. Things like classmates cheering on other students, or 12th graders complimenting and encouraging 3rd graders – acting as mentors.

Having students across the world participate in a group event like our Film Festival is just one of the many benefits of an online private school with a global community. Getting the opportunity to collaborate with and interact with other like-minded students from 100+ countries is not something you would normally experience at a brick-and-mortar institution!

See our student life in action 

The Balancing Act: Navigating an Outside Passion and Rigorous Education

Traditional brick-and-mortar schools often restrict students to a set schedule, leaving little time for exploring personal interests and passions like filmmaking. As an admissions coordinator at Laurel Springs, I’ve had many conversations with parents of actors who have had a tough time helping their child juggle school and work while enrolled in a traditional school setting. I’ve heard stories of student’s spending 8-10 hours on set and being marked as unexcused and/or not provided opportunities to make up work so they can stay on track.

At Laurel Springs, I have witnessed just the opposite! Here, child actors are successfully dictating their own schedules and working on movies and shows while still being enrolled in a full-time private education. Kids are stretching their creative wings and embarking on journeys to find their voice in the world of filmmaking while still progressing academically.

Laurel Springs is not just an online private school for actors, but all creatives, athletes, STEM students and everyday learners. Some of your favorite stars, producers, and artists have actually attended Laurel Springs, and although I cannot disclose their identities, I can guarantee you have likely seen a show or two of theirs!

Learn more about our flexible online learning model

Flexible School Solutions To Support Any Family Dynamic

Outside of flexible scheduling, Laurel Springs offers a ton of support to students around the clock, which helps make the virtual learning experience even easier. We have 24-hour tutoring assistance available 7 days a week to full-time students, in addition to teachers’ virtual office hours and an all-star counseling department.

A student could be on set for 10 hours and then go home to do school work – meeting with a tutor at 10pm if they needed to! (Although, of course, we encourage them to get their rest!) There are no limits to what our students can achieve or do. We understand that the path to success looks different for everyone, and our role is to provide the flexibility, understanding, and encouragement needed to help each learner navigate their own journey with confidence.

What would help your child’s dreams come true?

Imagine a world where your child has the freedom to pursue their passions without sacrificing their education. What if they could dedicate more time to doing what they love while still experiencing a top-notch learning experience? At Laurel Springs, we truly believe that a virtual school setting can make all the difference.

If the idea of an online private school piques your interest and leaves you wanting to learn more, I encourage you to join us for an upcoming Virtual Open House! You’ll meet our Head of School, Student and Parent Ambassadors, and hear so much more about how families’ lives change when they make the switch to online learning. And, when you attend a session, we’ll waive your registration fee at the time of enrollment (a $300 value)!

What are you waiting for? Your student’s dreams are waiting to be fully pursued. Register for an Open House here!

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