Key takeaways
In this article, we will break down the differences the schools have in terms of curriculum, instruction style, student support, extracurriculars, and cost to help you decide which is the better fit for your family.
- Legacy Online School's tuition starts at approximately $3,199/year, making it one of the more affordable online private schools.
- Families who are looking for live interaction and structured academic support will find Legacy's approach more productive.
- Laurel Springs School's tuition is around $9,900/year and offers a standard program, which showcases its extensive resources and support.
- Students at Laurel Springs enjoy the flexibility of a self-paced curriculum, so they can manage their own schedules and learning speed.
Contents
Can’t decide between Legacy Online School and Laurel Springs School? Both are well-regarded accredited online schools for K-12 with strong college-prep programs, but they serve families with different priorities.
Legacy Online School is known for its live teacher-led classes, personalized support, and affordability, while Laurel Springs offers a self-paced, academically rigorous experience with an emphasis on independent learning and college counseling.
For a broader overview of Best Rated Online Schools, it’s helpful to compare multiple accredited programs before making a final decision.
Comparing the Two Online Private K-12 Schools
| Feature | Legacy Online School | Laurel Springs School |
| Accreditation | WASC-accredited; pursuing/has NCAA approval for courses. | WASC and Cognia accredited; NCAA-approved courses for athletes. |
| Recognition | Winner of “Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources” award (national category). | Ranked Top 10 nationally on Niche (A+ Academics); past recipient of UN Global 500 & President’s Environmental awards. |
| Grade Levels | K–12 (elementary, middle, high school programs) | K–12 (elementary, middle, high school programs) |
| Curriculum | College-prep curriculum with core, electives, Honors/AP; strong STEM focus. | College-prep curriculum with 230+ courses, 60+ Honors/AP; wide subject variety. |
| Learning Format | Mix of live online classes (group or 1:1) and self-paced options – families choose structure. Small class sizes (~10-15) for live sessions. | Primarily self-paced asynchronous learning, so students set their schedule. Optional Academy program adds weekly live workshops for more interaction. |
| Student Clubs & Activities | Many virtual clubs (coding, debate, arts, etc.) and school-hosted online events (e.g. Arts Day) to build community. | 30+ clubs (interest-based), Honor Societies, Student Government, plus a private social network for student interaction. |
| Virtual Field Trips | Yes, included in program. Offers virtual field trips to enrich learning, letting students explore museums, historic sites, etc., all online. | Yes, offers both virtualfield trips (e.g. for K-5 destinations like national parks) and optional in-person field trips across various cities. Even international travel opportunities for high school. |
| Graduation Ceremony | Virtual: Annual graduation is celebrated via a full video ceremony with speeches and student highlights online. | Hybrid/In-Person: Hosts a multi-day Year-End Celebration; seniors have an in-person graduation night that is also live-streamed (hybrid ceremony). Includes prom and other senior events. |
| SAT/ACT Prep | Yes, dedicated SAT/ACT prep courses offered (36+ hours live instruction, practice tests, tutoring) to boost test scores. | No specific course, emphasis on college counseling; students use outside prep if needed. Counselors guide on test readiness and planning, but no built-in prep class. |
| College Counseling | College advisory available upon request; guidance on course selection for college goals (Legacy is newer, smaller scale counseling). | Extensive counseling department: each student gets an Academic Advisor + College Counselor for 1:1 guidance on course planning, college applications, and scholarships. |
| Tuition | (Lower): Transparent pricing, e.g. ~$3,199/year (high school full-time with annual plan) or $149/mo; scholarships available. Very affordable relative to peers. | (Higher): ~$9,900/year for full-time high school; ~$15,700/year for premium college prep program. Payment plans and some discounts, but significantly higher cost. |
| Enrollment & Schedule | Rolling enrollment (multiple start dates). Flexible pacing – choice of structured semesters or self-paced progress. Live class schedule if in group program; otherwise flexible. | Rolling enrollment (start anytime). Fully flexible schedule – self-paced 24/7 learning; students manage their own calendar. 10 personal break days per semester allowed. |
School Reviews: Accreditation and Recognition
Legacy Online School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Its curriculum is also NCAA-approved, which means student-athletes can use Legacy’s courses to meet eligibility requirements for college sports. Legacy was recently honored by winning “The Best Homeschool Curriculum, Products & Resources” award, which once again shows its commitment to top-quality education.
Laurel Springs School holds dual accreditation from WASC and Cognia, covering high educational standards. Laurel Springs is highly regarded nationally, as it ranks among Niche’s Top 10 Online High Schools in America (earning an A+ for Academics). The school has also received notable accolades in its history, such as the United Nations Global 500 Roll of Honour and the President’s Youth Environmental Award.
Curriculum and Learning Experience
Legacy Online School offers a full K-12 curriculum that covers core subjects, electives, honors, and AP courses. There is a strong emphasis on STEM across grade levels, preparing students for college and modern careers. Legacy provides multiple learning styles, so students can choose live group classes, one-on-one instruction, or a self-paced mode. Class sizes are kept small (around 10–15 students) to keep interaction real. The curriculum is designed to be engaging, with certified teachers leading live lessons and interactive activities, even in the online setting.
Laurel Springs School provides a comprehensive K-12 college-preparatory curriculum with 230+ courses, including 60+ Honors and AP classes. Instruction is mostly asynchronous and self-paced, so k-12 students have the flexibility to work any time, progressing at their own speed. Teachers at Laurel Springs provide individualized feedback on assignments, and The Academy at Laurel Springs (an optional program for grades 6-12) offers improved experiences like weekly live workshops.
If you want to learn more about structured and flexible learning paths, you can also check out Legacy vs Pearson Academy to better understand how teaching models differ across accredited online programs.
Student Life and Extracurricular Activities
Both schools focus on supporting students beyond academics, but the opportunities they offer, differs.
Clubs & Social Opportunities
Legacy students can join different virtual clubs, like coding, reading, debate, art, etc., and the school organizes events, such as virtual Arts Day to help students socialize and explore interests.
Laurel Springs offers 30+ clubs which cover various interests, like student government, honor societies, and a secure online social network for students to connect with peers. This means Laurel Springs students have many avenues for community-building despite learning online.
Reading Parent Reviews can also give insight into how these extracurricular opportunities and meetups impact student engagement and satisfaction.
Graduation Ceremonies
Legacy organizes an annual virtual graduation ceremony via video. Each year, graduates are celebrated in a full video ceremony, which covers speeches, student highlights, and shared moments with families and teachers.
Laurel Springs offers an extensive Year-End Celebration each year. This multi-day event includes an in-person Graduation Night for seniors with a hybrid graduation ceremony. Families often travel from across the country for Laurel Springs’ graduation and associated events.
SAT/ACT Preparation
Legacy’s offering covers a dedicated SAT/ACT prep program. This program includes 36 hours of live instruction covering every section of the ACT/SAT, access to official practice tests, one-on-one tutoring options, and personalized study plans with progress analytics. The goal is to help students achieve their best possible scores through guidance and strategies.
Laurel Springs, on the other hand, does not have a built-in college-prep courses in its curriculum. Instead, the school focuses on strong college counseling and rigorous academics to prepare students for college entrance exams.
Virtual Field Trips
Legacy Online School covers virtual field trips in its program to make the education more engaging and productive learning. Students get free access to online excursions that let them explore museums, historical sites, or even virtual science expeditions.
Laurel Springs provides both virtual and in-person field trip opportunities. For example, younger Laurel Springs students participate in virtual field trips to places like Indonesian temples or national parks, while all grades have the option to join in-person regional field trips (e.g. visits to museums, cultural sites, or theme parks) organized throughout the year. These experiences complement the curriculum and build community.
In summary, Legacy Online School tends to provide more structured, school-facilitated activities in the virtual space (clubs, online events, included test prep), creating a close-knit online community experience. Laurel Springs offers a broader spectrum of opportunities, including real-world events (field trips, travel, in-person gatherings) and numerous clubs/honor societies, but expects students to take initiative in an independent learning environment and seek out supplemental experiences (like test prep) as needed.
Many families also compare Legacy vs FLVS to evaluate flexibility, live instruction, and affordability before choosing the best program.
Tuition
Legacy Online School is very affordable and has transparent pricing. Families can enroll full-time for as low as $149 per month (approximately $1,799 per year on a monthly plan for high school), making it one of the more budget-friendly private online schools.
There are also discounts for paying tuition annually or by semester, and various scholarship programs, like HOPE and Step-Up scholarships, to assist with tuition. These plans include access to live classes, extracurricular clubs, and academic counseling at no extra cost. In short, Legacy’s pricing is upfront and flexible, allowing monthly, semester, or annual payments to suit different family needs.
Laurel Springs School is a well-established college-prep online school and has a higher price point. Full-time high school tuition is around $9,900 per year for the standard program. The school also offers an optional College Prep package (with additional benefits like the AP Capstone program and dual enrollment opportunities) for about $15,700 per year.
There are payment plans and some discounts available, like sibling discounts or pay-in-full savings, but overall Laurel Springs represents a significant investment.
Flexibility of Online Learning and Enrollment
Legacy Online School offers rolling enrollment with multiple start dates. This means that students can begin at various points in the year. It provides flexible pacing options – students may follow a structured semester schedule in the group classes or choose self-paced study if that suits them better.
This flexibility also is seen in the ability of students to switch between program types. For example, a student can take some courses live and others self-paced. Legacy’s platform also allows learners to progress faster if they master content quickly, or slow down and get extra help via one-on-one sessions if needed. In addition, the school’s personalized learning plans make sure that instruction can be tailored to individual student goals and circumstances.
Laurel Springs School is highly flexible by design. It uses a self-paced, 24/7 accessible learning model. Students can set their own daily schedules and typically have year-round enrollment, allowing them to start coursework at any time of year without waiting for a new semester. The program is perfect for students who need to accommodate outside pursuits, like intensive athletics or arts, or those who simply learn better on their own timetable. Laurel Springs even permits students up to 10 “pause” days each semester to take time off as needed without falling behind.
Overall, both schools are flexible, but Legacy blends flexibility with more guidance, while Laurel Springs maximizes scheduling freedom with strong advisory support rather than scheduled classes.
Why Choose Legacy Online School Over Laurel Springs?
- Legacy offers full-time enrollment starting at $149/month, which is significantly more accessible than Laurel Springs’ $9,900+ tuition.
- Legacy provides options between live small-group classes, one-on-one instruction, or self-paced study, while flexibility of Laurel Springs limits to its premium Academy program.
- Legacy includes 36+ hours of live test prep, practice tests, and tutoring, but Laurel Springs does not offer test prep as part of its curriculum.
- Students receive one-on-one help, progress monitoring, and the ability to switch between learning formats as needed.
- Join virtual clubs, student events, and award ceremonies that foster real connections without the need to travel for school engagement.
- Start anytime and progress at a pace that fits your student’s needs with both structure and freedom in balance.
- WASC-accredited, NCAA-approved, and winner of “Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources”, Legacy offers quality that’s nationally recognized.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. While we strive to keep content accurate and up to date, details such as tuition, curriculum, and program offerings may change over time and could be outdated or incorrect. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult official school sources before making any decisions.
