Laurel Springs School is a WASC- and Cognia-accredited K–12 online learning and distance learning private school in Ojai, California, United States.[2][3][4] Laurel Springs School offers personalized resources, customizable curricula, individualized teacher services, college advising and other services to families attending public and private school.[5]
Laurel Springs School, founded in 1991 by Marilyn Mosley Gordanier, was the first online K–12 school in the United States.[6][7] Mosley Gordanier, an American educator and author, established the school to provide an education model for students whose needs were not met by traditional classroom settings.[6]
Prior to founding Laurel Springs, Mosley Gordanier co-founded Oak Meadow School in 1975, a Waldorf-inspired homeschooling program. In 1986, she introduced one of the first hybrid homeschooling programs for students ages 14–16, combining home study with in-person classes.[6]
In 1994, Laurel Springs developed its first online Advanced Placement course, expanding its curriculum to support college-bound students.[6]
In 1995, the school launched the first official web-based curriculum delivery system in the United States called “Aurora.”[6]
In 2009, Nobel Learning Communities acquired Laurel Springs School.[8]
In 2018, Nobel Learning Communities, including Laurel Springs School, was acquired by Spring Education Group, a network of private schools operating in the United States.[9]
Curriculum
The Laurel Springs School K–12 curriculum is self-paced and mastery-based. The program includes college-preparatory courses, Advanced Placement courses, Honors courses, electives, and world language options.[10]
Coursework is delivered through an online Learning Management System (LMS), in which students can access classes, grades, and teacher feedback. Parents can access via a separate login with permissions tailored to their role.[11]
Counseling support is available for all students. College and athletic advisors at Laurel Springs assist with college applications and admissions, academic planning, the athletic recruiting process, and milestone events such as signing days.[12]
Laurel Springs also offers a program for students who want both self-paced learning and live individual support from teachers.[13]
Student life
Laurel Springs School students may participate in virtual clubs supported by faculty/staff advisors, with options including yearbook, student government, and Model United Nations.[14] The school also offers grade-level video chats, virtual field trips, and regional in-person meetups and field trips. Students have the option to attend an annual year-end event that includes an in-person graduation ceremony, prom, field trips, and more.[11]
Awards
In 2025, Laurel Springs School received an overall grade of A+ from Niche, a school ranking and review platform,[15] and was named by Niche as one of the Best Online High Schools in America.[16]
Private School Review ranks Laurel Springs School among the top schools in California for most AP courses offered, most extracurriculars offered, and highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.[17]
In 2021, Newsweek ranked Laurel Springs School #5 on its list of 50 Best Online High Schools in America.[18]
In 2008, Laurel Springs School received the United States Distance Learning Association’s International Distance Learning Award.[19]
Earlier awards include the President’s Youth Environmental Award (1997) and the United Nations Global 500 Roll of Honour Award (1990).[20]
Other athletic achievements include: Nick Haness, 2025 Traverse City Horse Shows winner;[24] Gabriella Mikaul, 2025 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Rookie of the Year;[25] Jackson Koivun, 2025 Ben Hogan Award winner;[26] and Logan Zapp, 2019 United States Tennis Association Florida Junior Competitive Player of the Year.[27]
Several students have achieved recognition for academic and artistic accomplishments. In 2025, Everett Elkins graduated at age 15 with 29 college credits.[28] Tei Park was among the top scorers in California on the 2023 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.[29] Cecilia Martin won the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s 2020 Young Musicians Competition.[30] Melinda Sullivan received the non-classical dance award at the Music Center of Los Angeles County’s Spotlight Awards in 2004.[31]
Partnerships
Laurel Springs School partners with various organizations to support athletes, performers, and other families wanting an online education. Partnerships include Junior Tennis Champions Center, a tennis training center and preparatory school;[32] The Fila Easter Bowl, a junior tennis tournament;[33]San Jose Earthquakes Academy, a Major League Soccer team; Coast Music Conservatory, a music school in Los Angeles County;[34] and Novel Education Group, a tutoring and homeschooling service.[35]
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laurel Springs School reported increased interest from families seeking alternatives to in-person schooling or existing remote learning options.[36][37] The broader shift toward remote education during this period contributed to the normalization of online schooling. Laurel Springs School was identified by Grand View Research as one of the prominent U.S. online private education providers in this context.[38]
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