While students at a brick and mortar school have the opportunity to meet in person with their peers and form connections, online students can be more intentional when choosing the types of connections and activities they partake in. “Community Engagement programming is helping our students find their people,” shared Patti McClimans, Dean of Community Engagement. At Laurel Springs, students can explore interests and discover their passions in the virtual hallways by choosing from more than 90 clubs to join and participate in.
Clubs meet regularly in the virtual classroom, allowing students to get to know peers with similar interests and form new bonds. Each club is sponsored by a faculty or a staff member who is equally passionate about the topic, and students can learn more about their area of interest, as well as the values of teamwork, both individual and group responsibility, leadership, diversity, and a strong sense of culture and community.
The powerful correlation between student participation in extracurricular activities and the enhancement of social emotional skills has been proven time and again. While club participation and involvement is not required at Laurel Springs, we highly recommend students consider getting involved, and with clubs available for elementary, middle, and high school students, we think there is something for everyone!
Getting Started in a Laurel Springs Club
The best way to get started in a Laurel Springs club is to think about your student’s aspirations and interests. With more than 90 clubs, it can feel a bit overwhelming to know where to start, but there are lots of opportunities to learn more and get involved.
Each fall and spring, the Community Engagement team host a Community Fair, which is a great opportunity to learn more about clubs and social events, as well as ways to connect with other peers interested in similar topics.
“Unlike in a brick and mortar where you’re limited by things like time, classroom space, and requirements of minimum students, we have a cool opportunity to have clubs hosted throughout the day,” shared Kenzie Wolf, Community Engagement Specialist. “Some clubs are as small as 3 – 4 students, while others may have more than 30 students. Each club can tailor to the interests and needs of the students, aligning with Laurel Springs’ mission to provide flexible and personalized education.”
Students can join a club at any point in the school year, regardless of when they start. While there is typically a small scheduled summer break, many clubs opt to continue meeting over the summer to continue connecting.
Senior Parker shared more about his advice for interested students. “The Community Fairs can provide important and useful information that allows students to better understand each club before even joining,” he said. “For (students interested in) leadership, I would recommend students to be in a club for at least a few months to a year. I would also tell prospective leadership students to try and make as many meetings as they can and also actively engage with current leadership and other students at each meeting.”
Parker is currently the President of the Creative Computing Club and Investment Club, the Vice President of the Business Club and Travel and Tourism Club, and the Communications Coordinator for the AI Club. He’s enjoyed getting to connect with new and old classmates, and has been able to maintain his friendships and feel more connected in his online school than ever before.
Student Leadership at Laurel Springs
Student Government, Leadership Forum, and the Student Ambassador Program are all clubs designed to introduce students to a leadership role. Whether they are welcoming new students as a student ambassador, networking or building a growth mindset in the Leadership Forum, or choosing the prom theme in Student Government, there are plenty of opportunities to learn how to flex their leadership skills.
Senior Lili is the Leadership Forum Leader and Student Government Vice President. She shares, “My favorite part about being involved in a club at LSS is the connection with people who share similar interests! Clubs are such a great way to meet people who are interested in similar things to you, and they allow you to make great friends from around the country and the world.”
The Leadership Summit is another great opportunity for student leaders to grow their skills, learn about how to continue leading in their respective clubs, and connect with Laurel Springs mentors who can support them during the school year. This opportunity takes place yearly in August, and it’s not required to attend, but can be a great way to kickstart the school year, particularly for students interested in leadership.
Benefits of Club Involvement
Club involvement has countless benefits, and as an online student, one of the main benefits is getting to connect with peers from around the world. Senior Jonathan shared some advice for students interested in getting involved with clubs.
“Alongside workshops, clubs and honor societies have introduced me to people who are now my closest friends,” he said. “This is one of my favorite things about Laurel Springs: you don’t have to be alone in an online workspace.”
Jonathan is the President of Astronomy Club, first Vice President of Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Chapter Project Coordinator of the National Honor Society. He’s been able to find friends who share the same passions as him, all while learning more about his interests. “Oftentimes, I am not able to find groups of people in my city who love what I love, and I’m so grateful that Laurel Springs gives me the opportunity to not just engage, but lead, grow, and bond in clubs.”
There are plenty of options for students in grades K-5 to get connected and join a club. K-5 students have access to clubs like:
- Stem Innovators
- Pet and Animal Club
- Creative Writing Club
For middle schoolers and high schoolers, club options range from Baking Club and Art Club, specific to middle schoolers, and Debate Club, specific to high schoolers. Students in grades 6 – 12 can also participate in clubs like:
- Chamber Orchestra (Virtual practices with opportunities to perform at various events)
- Crochet and Knitting Club (Opportunities to create pieces for events like YEC)
- Environmental Club (Hosts events like Earth Day)
Ready to Get Started?
At Laurel Springs, we encourage all students to reach their full potential, including getting involved in outside passions through clubs. Our robust club offerings have options for students from all backgrounds and with all different types of interests, and we have seen students connect with others in meaningful ways through their club involvement. If you’re interested in getting started at Laurel Springs, visit our website or request more information today.
