Laurel Springs School | The Hidden Stress of Balancing Youth Soccer with College Prep Academics

Elite soccer careers can break down long before the first pro contract - not on the field, but in the classroom. Laurel Springs School explains how serious athletes can keep training, travel, and still stay fully on track for college, NCAA eligibility, and life after sports.

Host Kareem Rae sits down with Alyssa Tormala, Head of School at Laurel Springs, and Jack Dempsey, who leads strategic partnerships, to unpack why online education has become a game-changer for MLS academies, youth clubs, and families trying to balance ambition with academics. With 35 years of experience, Laurel Springs has built a fully online, fully flexible K-12 model serving students across all 50 states and more than 100 countries - and it has quietly become a trusted option for high-level student-athletes around the world.

You'll discover why traditional school calendars clash with elite training schedules, how rolling enrolment and mid-year entry reduce family pressure, and what a true day in the life of a Laurel Springs student actually looks like. Alyssa breaks down the difference between online school and emergency remote learning, the support system families get at home, and how students build the time-management and self-advocacy skills they need for college.

Jack shares what clubs ask most often, why reputable academies care about proven outcomes, and how Laurel Springs can support everything from full-time enrolment to a single course for athletes who need to fill NCAA gaps. The conversation also covers AP courses, dual enrolment, UC approval, NCAA-approved curriculum, and the myth that online school means "less rigorous." Laurel Springs backs it up with results: 90% of students taking AP exams earned a 3 or higher in 2025, graduates earned an average of $198,000 in scholarships over the last three years, and alumni have gone on to more than 460 unique colleges - plus the pro ranks.

If you're a parent, coach, or club leader asking how to give athletes more time without sacrificing academic quality, this episode lays out the model. It is especially relevant for families navigating travel, attendance thresholds, college recruiting, or the pressure of trying to make two demanding worlds fit into one schedule. For anyone serious about soccer, this is the blueprint for doing both.

Fully accredited, private online education for K-12: https://partners.laurelsprings.com/OneSoccerNation

-------------------------------------------------

🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected

👉 Interested in appearing on the podcast?

Apply Here: https://onesoccernation.com/apply

-------------------------------------------------

© 2026 One Soccer Nation, under exclusive license to One Soccer Nation LLC.

-------------------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Kareem Rae runs One Soccer Nation (OSN) all views expressed by him and the guests on his podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the views of One Soccer Nation. You should not treat any opinion expressed by Kareem or his guests as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of his personal opinion. This podcast is for informational purposes only.

Investment opportunities are offered through One Soccer Nation LLC.

The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not intended to be a recommendation for any investment, service, product, or other advice of any kind, and shall not constitute or imply an offer of any kind. Any investment opportunities and/or products or services shown here will only be completed pursuant to formal offering materials, a letter of intent, and/or any other agreements as determined by One Soccer Nation containing full details regarding risks, minimum investment, fees, and expenses of such transaction.