Education without borders: why human connection is the gold standard in K-12 online education
International K-12 students deserve to have access to high quality academics that balances flexibility with a human-centric approach to teaching and learning. Students succeed when they are empowered to personalise their academics to their individual needs and are guided by real people who understand their unique needs and support their individual growth.
Online private schools like Laurel Springs School offer a flexible asynchronous learning environment, and with more than 100 countries supported by the team, they understand what it takes to support students outside the United States while still incorporating a human touch.
More than 15% of the student body at Laurel Springs lives internationally, and those students are often seeking the chance to obtain an American education and diploma to support their dreams of attending university in the United States. Laurel Springs can provide that and more – the Class of 2025 had 1,229 acceptances from 460 unique institutions around the world, and 32% of that class were accepted to colleges and universities with acceptance rates lower than 25%.
Laurel Springs parents emphasise that they and their students crave connections with real people versus automated responses. One parent shared that the teachers at Laurel Springs “provided help to my daughter through consistent support, feedback, and encouragement in a very kind and professional manner. It boosted our daughter’s self esteem and began to make her enjoy learning again. This level of help was absolutely instrumental in turning things around for our child.”
Laurel Springs parents emphasise that they and their students crave connections with real people versus automated responses
In the past three years, Laurel Springs has seen an increased demand for virtual clubs and activities, in-person field trips and events, competition programs, Honor Societies, and live learning experiences. As a result, Laurel Springs now offers over 90 virtual clubs/activities, monthly in-person events, and The Academy program, which combines the flexibility of asynchronous learning with access to over 60 synchronous workshops that provide extra opportunities for virtual collaboration, social connections, and deeper learning with expert teachers.
Accredited schools like Laurel Springs can be an excellent solution for international students who eventually plan to study in the United States. Graduating with an American diploma from an accredited and highly recognised online school with the support of dedicated teachers and counselors can often be leading factors that support a student getting into the school of their dreams and having a successful college experience.
With a high school degree from a school like Laurel Springs, international students can have a competitive edge when applying to higher education institutions in the United States.
Laurel Springs School: leading online education for global students since 1991
Laurel Springs School has been a pioneer in online education for students around the world since 1991; it was the first K-12 online program in the United States, the first to be accredited, and the first to be approved by the NCAA.
Over its 35-year history, Laurel Springs has graduated more than 6,200 students and supported countless others for supplemental and part-time academic needs. Laurel Springs is experienced in meeting international learners where they are, whether it be to pursue their personal passions in athletics and performing arts, or getting admitted to a United States college.
They offer over 300 courses that are approved by the University of California a-g system, 24 AP® courses, 100+ electives, six world languages, and 65+ NCAA approved courses, allowing students from all walks of life to find a personalised academic path that works best for them.
Laurel Springs courses are asynchronous, allowing students the utmost flexibility and independence as learners – they can truly learn from anywhere at any time. But that flexibility is partnered with personalised human support from expert teachers in each course through academic feedback and 1:1 meetings, plus high quality academic, college, and career counselling from their experienced counsellors.
Laurel Springs will be celebrating 35 years of mission-driven, global education in 2026. While technology has continued evolving and advancing over the past 35 years, Laurel Springs has remained dedicated to balancing innovation with their dedication to putting students first. Year after year, Laurel Springs proves that in the digital era, human connection still matters.
International partnerships with support families can feel
Laurel Springs has long prioritized serving students worldwide, offering online education that never loses its human touch. Here’s what Class of 2025 graduate, Gee Hoon Kim, had to say about his own experience:
“Laurel Springs School is helping me mature in so many ways. This school let me choose the subjects I cared most about enrolling in and provided me with opportunities to make future plans for my college studies and career,” he shared. “It will serve as a strong stepping stone for me to adapt to a bigger, more competitive world faster than others.”
Partnering with international education consultants, athletic academies, and tutoring centres has been essential in Laurel Springs’ mission to help students around the world excel in their education.
Success stories: how Laurel Springs connects students around the world through intentional partnerships
Dasein Education, Malaysia
Malaysian based partner Dasein Education is committed to guiding international students through the process of achieving a globally recognised diploma from an accredited US online high school. They are rooted in a “Life Coach” philosophy, meaning students are not just provided support for academic success but also for well-being, intrinsic motivation, resilience, and preparation for living as a global citizen.
Annabelle Ge, Class of 2028, shared more about what made Laurel Springs stand out: “I chose to attend Laurel Springs School because it offers tremendous flexibility in course selection and learning. There are no restrictions on choosing classes, so we can fully pursue subjects that interest us. For instance, I’m deeply fascinated by animal science, so my current course selection includes mathematics, biology, chemistry, and veterinary science,” she shared.
“This has provided excellent preparation and development for my upcoming university studies. Online learning has also enhanced my time management skills and self-discipline. I thoroughly enjoy this self-directed learning experience.”
Dasein Education’s comprehensive support for international students includes interview guidance, dedicated learning coaches, college counselling, and more.
Limitless Academy, El Salvador
For students like Fernando Garcia, Class of 2026, the partnership between Limitless Academy and Laurel Springs opened up opportunities he didn’t even realise were possible. “Laurel Springs has been amazing for my motocross career and my personal development. With Limitless, I am able to get on-site support while having an exclusive top-tier platform and curriculum from LSS. I love the environment, the support, and the safety of the place.”
Limitless Academy, located in El Salvador, provides students with high-quality, personalised education that meets each student where they are. By partnering with Laurel Springs, students receive the flexibility of online education with the focused support from the team at Limitless. Limitless doesn’t only prioritise education – they also encourage students to dream big, discover their passions, and reach their full potential.
Crayons Academy for Skills Excellence (CASE), India
Students supported by Crayons Academy for Skills Excellence (CASE) are prepared for the sports admissions processes into colleges worldwide. Based in India, CASE is a sports development consultancy and college sports admissions counselling firm providing mentorship for students passionate about developing their athletic and academic skills.
Aryan Yogesh, Class of 2026, is able to balance both his soccer career and academics. “I have had a great experience so far at Laurel Springs,” he shared. “The faculty and teachers have been very welcoming and open. I have understood all the topics well and I’m having fun in the process. Further, every doubt I have gets cleared through emails or direct communication!”
Being able to support students like Aryan would not be possible without partners like CASE who work together with the students to help facilitate admission to a college that is the best fit for them.
Learning internationally with support from a network of caring professionals
Achieving a globally recognised diploma from an accredited US online high school can often be the first step for an international student to reach their goals. Laurel Springs’ world-recognised academic program, accredited by WASC and Cognia, prioritises flexible learning with human connection across state lines, around the world, and beyond computer screens.
Interested in exploring partnership opportunities? You can contact Laurel Springs’ Partnerships team directly at [email protected]. Together, we can support international students with a human-first approach to online education, and help them graduate high school and enter into some of the top colleges and universities in the United States and beyond!
About the authors: Alyssa Tormala (M.Ed., J.D.) has been in the field of education for nearly 20 years and before that, practised law for six years. During her educational career, she has served as a high school teacher, department chair, instructional technology coach, and vice principal of PD and innovation. At Laurel Springs, she served as dean of faculty and director of teaching & learning before moving into her current role as head of school. She is passionate about the art and science of learning in all formats and has deep experience in faculty development, instructional best practices, and curriculum design. She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees (English Literature and Mass Communication) from University of Utah, a Juris Doctorate from Stanford University, a Masters in Education from Portland State University, and a School Administration Certificate from University of Portland.
Jessica Landes has worked in marketing and communications for more than five years in the education space. She has spent time writing pieces for companies like 2U and CodeHS, helping to create and share elevated content. She recently joined the team at Laurel Springs as the marketing content strategist, bringing her passion for excellent storytelling to the school while contributing to continuing to make education accessible for students around the world.
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