SOCIALIZATION AND COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENT
 

Laurel Springs School , a college prep school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12, realizes that socialization is of the utmost importance. That's why Laurel Springs offers their students almost TWENTY clubs to enhance their socialization (and academic) experience. These clubs offer students the opportunity to socialize with other students who share the same interests, talents, and goals. Students gather in a stimulating and inviting online environment where they can talk to each other in real time and dive more deeply into subjects that interest them, all under the guidance of experienced, dynamic teachers.

Art Club – (grades 7-12) – Art Club offers a combination of application and appreciation for art. Whether you enjoy admiring artists' works, or prefer creating your own masterpieces, this club is for you. We'll consider various art forms and how they have contributed to mankind through the ages, review works of the Masters, learn to critique without criticism, experiment with a variety of media, explore our inner selves through personal artistic expression, enjoy lively discussions, share ideas and suggestions, display our finished works and, together, take great pleasure in this common bond: the love of ART. Come join the fun!

Astronomy – Order of the Dolphin Club – (grades 9-12) – In the Astronomy Club we'll explore the questions: Are we alone? How many planets that support life exist? What is required for life to exist? Can we imagine life other than carbon-based? How many intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations exist in our own galaxy? 

You may want to know: What is the "Order of the Dolphin?"
At a historic meeting that established the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – now part of NASA) as a scientific discipline, the participants at this meeting became known as the "Order of the Dolphin," bringing together leading astronomers, physicists, biologists, social scientists, and industry leaders to discuss the possibility of detecting intelligent life among the stars. In our club, each student will become a "Dolphin" as we explore the outer reaches of the solar system and search for understanding our place in the Universe.

Book Club – (grades 7-8) – This club is open to students in grades 7 and 8 who love reading and discussing books, authors, and the big ideas behind the writing. Throughout the year, students will choose books for the club to read and discuss in the Book Club Forum, participate in read-a-thons, and debate topics and authors.

Book Club – (grades 9-12) – This club is open to students in grades 9-12 who love reading and discussing books, authors, and the big ideas behind the writing. Throughout the year, students will choose books for the club to read and discuss in the Book Club Forum, engage in read-a-thons, and debate topics and authors.

Creative Writing/Poetry Club – (grades 7-8) – Creative Writing Club members make up the staff of the Laurel Springs Vision and Voices Magazine, published each quarter. This club is for students who enjoy writing and reading poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Through peer editing and a monthly meeting, come and improve your creativity and craft! 

Creative Writing/Poetry Club – (grades 9-12) – Creative Writing Club members make up the staff of the Laurel Springs Vision and Voices Magazine, published each quarter. The club is for students who enjoy writing and reading poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Through peer editing and a monthly meeting, come and improve your creativity and craft! 

Debate Club – (grades 9-12) – This exciting club meets in Elluminate (our online classroom system) once a month for a debate. Topics are given out during the month so that students can choose a position and prepare their cases.

Environmental Club - (grades 9-12) - The Environmental Club is for students who care about keeping our air and water clean, our wildlife protected, and our planet safe for ourselves and future generations.  There are events making headlines in the news, and others that don't make the news.  We'll examine the controversial issues and discover how they affect our own communities, as we share ideas and strategies for what we can do to make a difference.

Film Club -  (grades 7-12) - This club is open to students in grades 7-12 who have an interest in the art of filmmaking. We will be discussing all aspects of do-it-yourself movie-making, from contemporary technologies to development of screenplays, as well as where you can share your work and what to consider if you're thinking about a career in the film industry. Expertise or previous experiences are not pre-requisites for this club; whether you're just starting out or already on your way, your participation is welcome!

French Club – (grades 7-8) – This club is open to French language students, in grades 7 and 8 who would like to have a real experience of French and France, in a highly interactive environment. Our goal is to use the skills already acquired in the language, and go on a discovery journey of France, its landscapes, and all aspects of its culture.

French Club – (grades 9-12) – This club is open to French language students grades 9 through 12 who would like to have a real experience of French and France, in a highly interactive environment. Our goal is to use the skills already acquired in the language, and go on a discovery journey of France, its landscapes, and all aspects of its culture.

Handwriting Analysis – (grades 7-12) – Ever wonder what your handwriting says about you? In this club, we'll explore handwriting research, as well as study and analyze writing samples of historical figures. We'll compare handwriting examples for authenticity, and even try our hands at handwriting analysis to detect personality traits. We'll try to fool one another with handwriting samples that are imposters, as well as learn more about our own handwriting styles. Handwriting analysis is used for a variety of purposes. It is not only an interesting fun activity; many have continued on in their studies and made it their career choice. Experts in handwriting analysis are retained by police departments, attorneys, and historians to determine the authenticity of writing samples and the identities of the writers. If you're intrigued by this topic, we welcome you to join us in exploration and discovery!

Music Club – (grades 7-12) – The music club is open to anyone in grades 7 through 12 who loves, creates, or lives for music. Our goal is to celebrate, educate, support, inspire, create, listen to, and express our love of the spirit of music. This year, we will be creating songs online and continuing to explore ideas of how sound, song, and community are affected by musical expression.

Spanish Club – (grades 7-8) – The Club is open to Spanish language students in grades 7 and 8. In a highly interactive environment, we will visit Spain, its diversity and contrasts, and discover why it is such a wonderful destination to choose from among many in Europe.

Spanish Club – (grades 9-12) – This club is open to Spanish language students in grades 9 through 12 who would like to become better acquainted with Spain through the language, and through discovering the riches of its culture, then and now, in a highly interactive environment.

Technology Club – (grades 7-12) – Tech Club is open to students in grades 7-12. It is a forum for networking, discussing, educating, and encouraging interests that incorporate technology. The overall goal is for students to enhance their education and life experience. Technology is loosely defined as a body of knowledge available to a society that is of use in communicating, traveling, fashioning implements, practicing arts and skills, and extracting or collecting materials. This year, we'll discuss and share the technology's positive impact on our lives.

"We feel it is important for students schooled in a virtual learning environment to actively engage in collaborative learning opportunities. We are touched by the deep and enduring relationships our students create with their classmates and teachers" Marilyn Mosley Gordanier, founder and Executive Director of Laurel Springs School.

Laurel Springs understands that socialization and collaboration among students is important. As a result, they've developed numerous opportunities for your children to grow socially as well as academically. No longer is socialization a reason to not homeschool your child!