Pioneer in Distance Learning Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Commitment to Build Brick and Mortar School through Pencils of Promise

OJAI, Calif., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Laurel Springs School (LSS) – a fully accredited private online school – announced today that it is celebrating its 25th anniversary by committing to build a brick and mortar school through Pencils of Promise (PoP), a nonprofit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. LSS will also commemorate its anniversary with a gala on Nov. 17 in Marina del Rey, Calif., with attendees including current students, alumni, prominent members of the education community, and LSS faculty and staff.

LSS was founded in 1991 by Marilyn Mosley Gordanier, M. Ed. and a group of educators as a correspondence school for students seeking an alternative, flexible learning environment. The school began serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, but expanded to include ninth through 12^th grade in 1992. With the growth of the Internet, LSS took the school online – creating one of the first online curricula in the U.S. in 1994. LSS was the first distance learning school to receive WASC accreditation and to be granted an official chapter of the National Honor Society.

"The heart of the Laurel Springs experience is the relationship between inspiring, caring teachers and talented, motivated and engaged students. At Laurel Springs, our mission to support students to achieve their academic goals and foster their personal interests is more than just a statement; it's how we do school. Students who attend Laurel Springs are inspired by the power of ideas, made available through engaging exchanges with teachers who are passionate about global concepts that construct, characterize and transform the world," shared Head of School, Darby Carr. "My goal is to continue honoring our school's mission while working with our dedicated team of educators to create a pathway to take Laurel Springs to the next point in the evolution of online education."

To continue this vision of global and service learning and celebrate its 25th anniversary, LSS wanted to establish a long-term partnership with an organization with a similar focus, which led them to PoP. Through PoP, which provides educational programs and builds schools to increase literacy outcomes of children in developing countries, including Ghana, Guatemala and Laos, LSS and its global virtual community will raise funds to build a brick and mortar school for underserved students in one of the countries where PoP has a presence.

"Over the last 25 years that Laurel Springs School has been in existence, many things have changed, but the one thing that has remained the same is our dedication to providing a personalized, flexible learning environment to meet each child's unique interest, talent and learning style – no matter their location or circumstances," commented Laurel Springs School's Director of Education, Megan Palevich. "That flexible environment has helped a wide spectrum of students in the U.S. and abroad meet their educational needs, and with our partnership with Pencils of Promise, we'll be able to help even more students receive a quality education they might not otherwise have."

LSS recently kicked off its fundraising efforts among the LSS community, which will continue throughout the 2016-2017 school year. Members of the LSS Student Government are currently working on additional ideas to spread the word about the fundraiser.

"It's always great to be able to work with people who share the same commitment to education that we do at Pencils of Promise. Laurel Springs School offers an innovative approach to education and we're thankful for their generosity to allow PoP to do the same," stated Michael Dougherty, CEO of Pencils of Promise.

LSS has successfully graduated more than 4,000 students and continues to expand its global reach, working with families in 48 states and more than 60 countries. In fact, it has teachers located in 23 states, 13 time zones and seven countries. Its students range from children of families who work, travel, or participate in service projects abroad, student athletes competing at national levels, actors and entrepreneurs, and students seeking a more tailored learning experience or pace than can be provided at a brick and mortar school – due to a wide range of factors.

Head of School, Darby Carr, shared her vision for the future of education, "Students no longer need to settle for the way things have always been… today's students are carving their own path… in our world –  where technology meets education, a classroom is no longer a prerequisite for college.  Laurel Springs is the future of education… with quality curriculum, flexible scheduling, accreditation, personalized experiences, and global connectivity… the future is now."

About Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is an accredited online private school for students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Founded in 1991, we combine the benefits of a traditional private school with the flexibility of distance learning. Our students are fully supported by qualified, caring teachers and staff, and benefit from our college preparatory academics. Students have access to a wide variety of courses including Honors and AP, as well as a gifted and talented program.

For more information, please visit: www.laurelsprings.com.

SOURCE Laurel Springs School

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