Since the inception of Laurel Springs, we have believed in the power of comprehensive support and the ability it has to empower students to achieve their dreams. One facet of that comprehensive support is counseling services. At Laurel Springs, our counseling department is full of talented and experienced professionals who all bring a unique perspective to the table, backed by years of practice in the field. We believe support in all areas of online education helps students achieve success throughout their entire lives, and because of this, we offer every full-time LSS student individualized support and resources through our counseling department.
Students in grades K-12 have access to the assistance they need to succeed at Laurel Springs, and starting as young as Kindergarten, students are able to learn more about time management, goal setting, organization, and academic planning through services provided by the counseling department. These executive functioning skills are critical to success!
Our counseling department is split up into three main segments, including:
- Elementary and middle school (K-8)
- High School
- The Academy at Laurel Springs
Each full-time K-8 counselor leads live monthly lessons for students in grades K-2, 3-4, 5, and 6-8, focusing on topics designed to meet each group where they are and to meet each group’s unique academic and social-emotional needs. For students in 6-8 grades, an emphasis is placed on providing guidance during the middle school to high school transition years, with opportunities to join skill-building groups. Students in these grades also have access to an interactive Virtual Counseling Resource Center with activities like a calm corner, book suggestions, and resources for parents.
High school students are supported by College Counselors beginning their freshman year up until their final senior year at Laurel Springs. Academic planning is tailored to each student’s individual needs, with complete exploration of Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment opportunities. Counselors provide guidance on an array of topics, including college and career planning, financial aid and scholarships, and standardized testing, all through webinars and individual student meetings.
In the Laurel Springs Academy program, students are assigned an expert Academy Counselor as early as 6th grade, and stay with their assigned counselor throughout their time in the program. In addition to the resources all LSS students have access to, Academy students are also able to access ACT Mosaic and YouScience, tools meant to help explore and develop strengths while promoting personal development. Academy students can participate in a peer mentorship experience, as well as attend specialized webinars designed to prepare them for college admissions.
“My counselor was such an incredible resource for me throughout my high school career,” shared a 2023 Laurel Springs Graduate. “Their advice was indispensable and I am especially grateful for all of their hard work during my college application season, which was an exciting but stressful time. They made navigating it so much easier!”
Every Laurel Springs College Counselor holds a membership with the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), remaining informed on new developments in the field of higher education and college admissions. The Laurel Springs Counselors are instrumental in helping their students with deciding on their future plans they will thrive in. EachEach year, many talented graduates are accepted to over 500 different colleges and universities worldwide, including small and large private and public schools, top-tier universities, research institutions, liberal arts colleges, and visual and performing arts colleges and conservatories.
Other pathways that graduates have chosen include attending two-year colleges and vocational schools, a gap year, or entering directly into a professional field or military service. The path our graduates choose to take is entirely their own decision, and through our comprehensive support model, we are able to provide the guidance needed for them to move forward after high school graduation.
The Laurel Springs Counseling Department serves a diverse range of students, and every day, they get to support students as they achieve their dreams, continuing to prove how important counseling services can be for long term student success.
Interested in learning more about our counseling department and how to get started at Laurel Springs? RSVP for an upcoming Virtual Open House and meet with LSS counselors, teachers, and staff.
