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At The Leelanau School, we offer day and boarding students in grades 9-12 an educational experience where integrated learning support, individualized attention, small classes, and a commitment to whole-person wellness are at the center of what we do.Students discover and develop their strengths as both students and citizens with the guidance of engaged faculty committed to cultivating a school where students know and embrace themselves as learners – no matter how they learn.  

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Get to Know Leelanau

In Person. In Nature. Inspiring.

Request More Information or contact Brian Chatterley, Director of Admission, to start the conversation today. 

In Person Learning Happening Now

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Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher. – William Wordsworth

Explore Campus

See our beautiful Northern Michigan campus from a drone’s eye view! 

Nestled in the woods our stunning and secluded 42-acre campus is a place to learn, like no other.

A BETTER WAY TO LEARN

Leelanau’s rich, supportive environment is a community where teachers love to teach and the focus is on how to learn, rather than what to learn. We are a haven for intelligent and creative students: the bright, the talented, the inquisitive who may also feel unchallenged, restless, and anxious.

Experiential Learning

Academics

Academics at The Leelanau School go beyond hands on. We engage all your senses in learning to include kinesthetic, visual, and verbal learning. Through our methods, students are immersed in the learning experience. When you go out to collect data from the Crystal River for Biology class, you will not only be asked to note what the instrumental readings are, but also what you observe through sight, sound and smell.

Music, Visual Arts & Theater

At The Leelanau School creativity is encouraged and students are welcome to explore each arts discipline. Parents are often amazed that their “non-singing” child has a beautiful voice or that their camera shy child feels perfectly comfortable on the other side of the lens!

You don’t have to come with a talent, we will help you discover and develop your talents.

Health, Wellness, & Nutrition

The Leelanau School feels that students need to develop healthy lifestyles for their lifetimes. Our overall wellness program is designed around this premise by providing activities and guidance.

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The Leelanau School

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"Lauren is someone whose confidence and willingness to “put herself out there” impresses all of us. She is a diligent and organized student leader who participates actively and energetically in our community by being positive, energetic, and thoughtful. As Student Council President, she has shown leadership, confidence, creativity, a willingness to compromise, and an ability to juggle many things at once. Lauren is a doer, an organizer, and a cheerleader. I am impressed and awed by her energy and people skills." | Elizabeth Blondia, Leelanau School Faculty #seniorshoutouts #seniorspotlight #leadership #energy #creativity #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Lauren is someone whose confidence and willingness to “put herself out there” impresses all of us. She is a diligent and organized student leader who participates actively and energetically in our community by being positive, energetic, and thoughtful. As Student Council President, she has shown leadership, confidence, creativity, a willingness to compromise, and an ability to juggle many things at once. Lauren is a doer, an organizer, and a cheerleader. I am impressed and awed by her energy and people skills. | Elizabeth Blondia, Leelanau School Faculty #seniorshoutouts #seniorspotlight #leadership #energy #creativity #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool

We are celebrating Earth Day today by exploring our beautiful Northern Michigan home. A hike to the top of Empire Bluff energized our bodies and spirits, and we'll help clean up the Dune Climb, Bohemian Road, and the Glen Haven Cannery later this afternoon. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” #sleepingbeardunes
#stewardship #awareness #interconnectedness #leadership #resilience #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool
... See MoreSee Less

We are celebrating Earth Day today by exploring our beautiful Northern Michigan home. A hike to the top of Empire Bluff energized our bodies and spirits, and well help clean up the Dune Climb, Bohemian Road, and the Glen Haven Cannery later this afternoon. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. Its not.” #sleepingbeardunes
#stewardship #awareness #interconnectedness #leadership #resilience #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Looks like fun. Stay dry this afternoon!

Kim Lowitzki

"Every kid has their own individual journey once they get here but some arrive at Leelanau with some negative experiences in education. And for those kids, there may be a period of time when they question whether things are really going to be any different for them. But once we start to build trust and a willingness to try new things, there is a feeling of celebration and we take off, which is when they can self-advocate, grow and learn." - Coach Barb, Leelanau Learning Specialist (retired) ... See MoreSee Less

Every kid has their own individual journey once they get here but some arrive at Leelanau with some negative experiences in education. And for those kids, there may be a period of time when they question whether things are really going to be any different for them. But once we start to build trust and a willingness to try new things, there is a feeling of celebration and we take off, which is when they can self-advocate, grow and learn. - Coach Barb, Leelanau Learning Specialist (retired)

8 CommentsComment on Facebook

Who knows when the Alumni reunion is this year?

Absolutely 👍!!

Amen

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The Piping Plover Protection Program in the Park is underway, and a team of Leelanau students joined Sleeping Bear staff to locate, fence off, and protect nesting areas for these adorable little birds. Can you spot the pretty piping plover in the park? #protection #awareness #stewardship #leadership #interconnectedness #ExperienceLearning #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

The Piping Plover Protection Program in the Park is underway, and a team of Leelanau students joined Sleeping Bear staff to locate, fence off, and protect nesting areas for these adorable little birds. Can you spot the pretty piping plover in the park? #protection #awareness #stewardship #leadership #interconnectedness #experiencelearning #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschoolImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

Speaking of Reunions, the 1980s were well represented yesterday on campus. Many thanks to JP Larkin '87 for joining us from Park City for the Board Meeting, and inviting family and friends Dave Leith '86, Holly Stewart Lang '84, and Chris Karner (Leelanau forever) to join him for our "greatest hits" Friday lunch. #lunchwithfriends #gettingtogether #foodislove #theleelanauschool

You can eat lunch with us, too. Register for June's Alumni Reunion at leelanau.org/reunions!
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Speaking of Reunions, the 1980s were well represented yesterday on campus. Many thanks to JP Larkin 87 for joining us from Park City for the Board Meeting, and inviting family and friends Dave Leith 86, Holly Stewart Lang 84, and Chris Karner (Leelanau forever) to join him for our greatest hits Friday lunch. #lunchwithfriends #gettingtogether #foodislove #theleelanauschool

You can eat lunch with us, too. Register for Junes Alumni Reunion at leelanau.org/reunions!

Head of School Rob Hansen and Admission Director Brian Chatterley are representing our Leelanau School community at the Small Boarding School Association conference in Palo Alto, CA. These three days of networking and professional development are a way to spread the word about Leelanau and bring back important ideas to northern Michigan. Mr. Hansen presented on Wednesday about the critical importance of prioritizing social and emotional wellness in the boarding school setting. #alwayslearning #awareness #interconnectedness #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Head of School Rob Hansen and Admission Director Brian Chatterley are representing our Leelanau School community at the Small Boarding School Association conference in Palo Alto, CA. These three days of networking and professional development are a way to spread the word about Leelanau and bring back important ideas to northern Michigan. Mr. Hansen presented on Wednesday about the critical importance of prioritizing social and emotional wellness in the boarding school setting. #alwayslearning #awareness #interconnectedness #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschoolImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

3 CommentsComment on Facebook

Amazing! Such an important topic to highlight.

Go The Leelanau School! Show them what the best of the best looks like

"Evey has grown tremendously since her start at Leelanau. She is a kind, hard-working, and compassionate student and peer. Evey’s empathetic nature thrives in Creative Writing, where she has blossomed as a young poet. She has also flourished as a musician under both Laura Hood and Mr. Rogers, where she takes her passion for music and performs with dedication and love. My favorite memory with Evey was just last week when we drove around beautiful Northern Michigan. She sang as we viewed the sun peaking through the budding leaves. Next year, she will begin her dream of becoming a preschool teacher at Oakland Community College. Evey’s independence in academic, social, and work environments proves that she is more than ready to fly from our cozy Leelanau nest." - Angela Repke, Leelanau Faculty #seniorspotlight #empathy #passion #flyingthenest #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Evey has grown tremendously since her start at Leelanau. She is a kind, hard-working, and compassionate student and peer. Evey’s empathetic nature thrives in Creative Writing, where she has blossomed as a young poet. She has also flourished as a musician under both Laura Hood and Mr. Rogers, where she takes her passion for music and performs with dedication and love. My favorite memory with Evey was just last week when we drove around beautiful Northern Michigan. She sang as we viewed the sun peaking through the budding leaves. Next year, she will begin her dream of becoming a preschool teacher at Oakland Community College. Evey’s independence in academic, social, and work environments proves that she is more than ready to fly from our cozy Leelanau nest. - Angela Repke, Leelanau Faculty #seniorspotlight #empathy #passion #flyingthenest #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool

Sheep brain was on the table in Health Class last week. This Wednesday, the same students are part of the Piping Plover Protection Program along Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Can you hear Lion King's "Circle of Life" playing in your brain? #handsonscience #abetterwaytolearn #experiencelearning #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Sheep brain was on the table in Health Class last week. This Wednesday, the same students are part of the Piping Plover Protection Program along Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Can you hear Lion Kings Circle of Life playing in your brain? #handsonscience #abetterwaytolearn #experiencelearning #theleelanauschoolImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
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