Jun 11, 2020   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Laurel Springs School Highlights New York Seniors, Celebrates Largest Graduating Class in School History

NEW YORK and WEST CHESTER, Pa., June 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 40 high school seniors in New York state have officially graduated this year from Laurel Springs School, a leading pioneer in online K-12 education, ending a universally unconventional school year on a high note.

While the fully online school's graduation ceremony has traditionally taken place in-person--originally slated this year for Anaheim, Calif.--the Laurel Springs Class of 2020 was instead honored with a virtual ceremony on Thursday, June 4.

"We are incredibly proud to see another amazing group of students begin their next chapter after graduating from Laurel Springs," said Megan O'Reilly Palevich, M.Ed., Head of School at Laurel Springs. "Our school aims to provide students not only a rigorous curriculum, but also the skills necessary to foster the independence, self-advocacy, and confidence they will need to succeed in college and beyond. The Class of 2020 serves as an exemplar of the core values of Laurel Springs, our staff, and our educators."

The Class of 2020 is the largest in the school's 29-year history with more than 500 full-time seniors earning a diploma and matriculating to top colleges and universities, including Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, New York University, Princeton University, The New School, and Stanford University.

Members of the school's graduating class from New York state include:

    --  Thea Belle Flanzer, 17, from Quogue, N.Y., attended the Academy at
        Laurel Springs for four years and will begin her freshman year at
        Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., this fall, where she will
        study Theater and Performance Studies. For two years, Flanzer served as
        General Assembly President of the Model United Nations (UN) at Laurel
        Springs and as Secretary of the National Honor Society."My favorite part
        about Laurel Springs is all of the incredible students I have met during
        high school. When I traveled to London last summer, I was able to
        connect with my peers who lived there and meet them in person," Flanzer
        said. "All of the students are highly motivated people who are achieving
        remarkable things, making the Laurel Springs community extremely
        inspiring."

    --  Sisters Calista, 16, and Gracie Rounds, 18, of Ellicottville, N.Y.,
        spent their senior year with Laurel Springs after attending multiple
        schools while their family frequently moved. Gracie will attend the
        University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., to study World Languages while
        Calista takes a gap year to travel and volunteer. "I never understood
        the value of online school in enabling a person to experience life as a
        teenager to the fullest without being stuck in a classroom for seven
        hours per day, five days per week," said Gracie Rounds. "I am so
        appreciative to have had Laurel Springs as my last school in the
        progression of all the ones I attended."

    --  After seven years of study at Laurel Springs, Storm Snape, 18, of Long
        Island, N.Y., will matriculate to Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa.,
        majoring in Economics and minoring in Pre-Law. Snape, an avid tennis
        player who will compete on the Ursinus College team, aspires to work as
        a sports agent. "Laurel Springs has prepared me in many ways for
        college, such as time management on assignments, clubs, and having great
        communication with teachers and counselors," Snape said. "Attending
        Laurel Springs is one of the best things that could have happened to me,
        not only for the skills I learned, but also for the connections that I
        have made. I am grateful for my time at Laurel Springs."

This year's graduating class is expected to surpass the scholarship earnings of the previous year. Laurel Springs' Class of 2019 earned $9.7 million in scholarships.

Families interested in learning more about Laurel Springs are encouraged to visit the school's website or contact the Admissions team.

About Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is a fully accredited private online school offering a challenging K-12 academic program that engages global learners and values students as individuals. Our school is designed for the college preparatory student who wishes to grow and excel academically and personally while maintaining a flexible schedule. Laurel Springs has an outstanding record of placing its graduates into selective colleges and universities of their choice in the U.S. and throughout the world.

To learn more about Laurel Springs School visit www.laurelsprings.com

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SOURCE Laurel Springs School