By Pam Adams, M.Ed., Ed.S., Director of Education

Families researching an online high school program may focus first on what it means to learn online, curriculum, accreditation, and college outcomes, and rightly so. But before a student logs into a single course, there is a more basic question to answer: does your student have access to the appropriate technologies?

To fully participate in an online asynchronous program like Laurel Springs, students should have access to:

• a standard Windows or Mac laptop or desktop computer with a physical keyboard (a tablet, Chromebook, or smartphone is not recommended),
• ccurrent version of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge,
• high-speed internet connection,
• speakers and a microphone, especially for world language courses,
• any course- or program-specific equipment that might be required for specific courses such as a webcam, printer, scanner, specialized software, or lab materials, and
• a practical backup plan for device, power, or internet interruptions.

Laurel Springs became the nation’s first online K-12 school in 1991, and has spent more than three decades refining not only what students learn, but how they access that learning. This guide walks through these technology requirements for online high school at Laurel Springs, from devices and internet speed to the digital literacy skills that help students make the most of a self-paced, asynchronous curriculum.

Why Technology Requirements Matter for an Online High School Program

An online high school program is only as strong as the technology supporting it. Because Laurel Springs students complete coursework asynchronously, meaning they can log in and progress through lessons at any hour, from any location, the learning management system (LMS) has to be reliably accessible around the clock.

Our online high school program is built on mastery-based learning, where students advance once they apply, evaluate, and create demonstrations of learning rather than moving ahead on a fixed clock. That structure depends on students being able to log in consistently, submit work without interruption, and connect with teachers when they have questions. A properly equipped setup is the foundation that makes this flexibility possible, rather than a source of frustration.

Computer and Device Requirements

Laurel Springs supports typical laptop and desktop computers running the most current and up-to-date versions of Windows or macOS possible.

Chromebooks, tablets, iPads, smartphones, and other mobile devices are not recommended because they may not be able to accommodate all of the tools and applications required for Laurel Springs courses. Our curriculum includes interactive lessons, document-based assignments, testing tools, and engaging, interactive multimedia experiences that require the processing capability and software compatibility of a laptop or desktop computer. A device that cannot reliably run these tools may limit a student’s ability to complete assignments on schedule.

Families comparing an online high school program to a traditional classroom sometimes assume a tablet or phone will suffice. In practice, a school workload, including research papers and lab reports, calls for the same kind of computer a student would use in any rigorous college-preparatory environment. Investing in the right device from the outset avoids technical slowdowns once coursework is underway.

Operating System and Browser Requirements

Along with a supported operating system, students need the most current and up-to-date internet browser possible. Laurel Springs’ platform is compatible with current versions of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge. Browsers should be kept updated throughout the school year, since outdated versions can cause display errors, login issues, or problems submitting assignments. We recommend that families check for browser updates at the start of each semester and whenever the school’s technical support team suggests it.

Internet Connectivity Standards

A high-speed (25 Mbps or higher), wired connection, such as cable or fiber, is strongly recommended for all coursework. Satellite internet and cellular WiFi hotspots, while they can be used, may sometimes be subject to speed and reliability issues that result in unsatisfactory performance, particularly during video-based lessons, optional live workshops, or online assessments. Because our online high school program is delivered entirely through our learning management system, a stable connection is a requirement for consistent academic progress.

Families who travel frequently, a reason families sometimes choose Laurel Springs, should test connection speed and reliability at any location where a student plans to complete coursework. This is especially important for students taking advantage of the flexibility to learn from anywhere in the world.

Additional Equipment for Online Learning

Beyond the computer itself, students at Laurel Springs should have access to the following equipment:

• A speaker and a microphone, or a headset/headphones with a microphone, are required for world language courses, which rely on listening and speaking exercises.
• A webcam is recommended for video conferencing. Laurel Springs emphasizes 1:1 communication between students and teachers, and video access allows that relationship to extend beyond written messages when a face-to-face conversation is more effective. Video conferencing is also essential for students to participate in Laurel Springs’ Academy Workshops and a wide array of virtual clubs and activities.
• A printer and scanner may be required for select courses, particularly those with handwritten components or physical lab work. This also allows students and families to print resources from the learning management system in situations where they wish to engage on physical paper rather than on screen.

These requirements scale with a student’s course load, program, and level of interest in virtual activities. For example, upper-level students enrolled in The Academy, AP courses or a dual-enrollment college course may rely more heavily on video conferences with instructors and counselors. Students who are engaged in clubs, activities, and leadership will also need more video conferencing access.

Technology Requirements at a Glance

Technology Accessibility

At Laurel Springs, we believe every student deserves an accessible, empowering learning experience. Our learning system, Buzz, is optimized to support diverse learning needs. Designed to meet Revised Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 standards, Buzz is compatible with assistive technologies like the NVDA screen reader. With intuitive keyboard navigation, accessible alternatives to drag-and-drop, and responsive toolbars for text magnification, our tools support learner engagement and mastery.

Software and Digital Literacy Skills

Students can benefit from developing and expanding their foundational digital literacy skills while engaging in an online high school program. These include comfort with keyboarding, an understanding of how to efficiently organize files and folders, and working familiarity with productivity software such as word processors, spreadsheet and presentation tools. We also recommend that families have clear conversations and create expectations about academic integrity, including how to evaluate the reliability of online sources, cite them properly, and recognize plagiarism risks.

Families of younger high schoolers, or those transitioning from a traditional classroom, may find it useful to review our blog post on essential digital literacy skills, much of which remains directly relevant heading into 9th grade. We also encourage families to revisit good habits around online safety, password security, and recognizing phishing attempts, which we cover in more depth in our guide to staying smart, kind, and confident online.

How Laurel Springs Supports Families With Technology

In our experience, families are far more likely to try to work through a technology question on their own than to reach out right away. Days, sometimes weeks, can pass before a family contacts us, and by then a question that would have taken five minutes to resolve has grown into real frustration, for the student and the parent alike. The sooner a question is asked, the sooner it is answered, and the less it affects a student’s momentum.

Laurel Springs’ technical support team is available by phone during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, at (800) 377-5890 (extension 6050), or by email at techsupport@laurelsprings.com. Full details, along with a complete FAQ covering computer types, browsers, internet speed, and equipment, are available on our Parent Resources page, which we recommend bookmarking before a student’s first day.

Once a student is enrolled, the Laurel Springs Portal becomes a single point of access to every school system: the learning management system, academic progress dashboards, and academic records requests. Families new to the platform can review our first-day orientation guide for a walkthrough of how the portal and LMS work together. Our counseling team and teachers remain available throughout the school year to answer questions that go beyond technology alone.

What to Do When Technology Fails During Online School

Even a well-equipped setup can run into an unexpected outage, a browser update gone wrong, or a spotty connection on travel days. Families should plan in advance what to do when it happens.

• Save the Laurel Springs technical support number, (800) 377-5890 extension 6050, and email, techsupport@laurelsprings.com
  Identify a backup device or secondary internet connection, such as a smartphone hotspot, for short-term use

Because Laurel Springs’ coursework is asynchronous, a brief disruption does not put a student behind. Assignments and deadlines remain accessible as soon as connectivity is restored.

Frequently Asked Questions About Technology Requirements for Online Learning

About the Author

Pam Adams has been a teacher and administrator since 1992, and has served Laurel Springs students since 2022. Her experience in K-12 education includes teaching, serving as assistant principal, principal, and Director of Curriculum, Secondary Schools, and Virtual Learning. She has designed targeted professional learning opportunities for high school teachers, as well as served on numerous state level monitoring teams throughout her home state of Georgia. Ms. Adams has accomplished strategic school improvement specializing in grades six through twelve, with an emphasis in mathematics. She has held various roles at Laurel Springs including Math teacher, Math Academic Department Chair, Dean of Students, Dean of Upper Schools, Director of Student and Family Experience, and Director of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Piedmont College, and both Master of Education and Specialist in Education degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia.

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