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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.  

Get to Know Leelanau

In Person. In Nature. Inspiring.

Request More Information or contact Kate Caliri-Spiegel, Dean 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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Today we celebrate Future Teachers of America Day and recent Leelanau grad, Anna Largent '24. Anna is at Kalamazoo College, working toward a career in Music Education. Anna is pictured here, sporting her Ohana Thursday shirt, just moments before she taught an early childhood class. And she just landed an after school youth orchestra gig, too. We are really proud of you, Anna! Brava. 🎶 🎻 🙌 #futureteachers #rolemodels #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Today we celebrate Future Teachers of America Day and recent Leelanau grad, Anna Largent 24. Anna is at Kalamazoo College, working toward a career in Music Education. Anna is pictured here, sporting her Ohana Thursday shirt, just moments before she taught an early childhood class. And she just landed an after school youth orchestra gig, too. We are really proud of you, Anna! Brava. 🎶 🎻 🙌 #futureteachers #rolemodels #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Good for you, Anna. Proud to have you join our profession. Hope to meet you some day. Sylvia Duncan former Leelanau faculty

Last week, Elizabeth Blondia added some extra flavor to her Modern World Literature course as students read Loung Ung's powerful memoire "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia." Her class studied Cambodian food, history, culture, and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. "Loung's memoire is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality." #abetterwaytolearn #resilience #courage #awareness #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less

Last week, Elizabeth Blondia added some extra flavor to her Modern World Literature course as students read Loung Ungs powerful memoire First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia. Her class studied Cambodian food, history, culture, and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Loungs memoire is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality. #abetterwaytolearn #resilience #courage #awareness #theleelanauschoolImage attachmentImage attachment

Rigor in education is often misunderstood. It’s not about overwhelming students with assignments or making coursework overly challenging, nor is it about being a strict, unapproachable teacher. True rigor fosters a culture that encourages curiosity and deep thinking. It grows through strong, supportive relationships with students, parents, and the community. When students know their teachers care about them, they feel motivated to invest more effort and work harder. It works at The Leelanau School. Check us out at leelanau.org #abetterwaytolearn ... See MoreSee Less

Rigor in education is often misunderstood. It’s not about overwhelming students with assignments or making coursework overly challenging, nor is it about being a strict, unapproachable teacher. True rigor fosters a culture that encourages curiosity and deep thinking. It grows through strong, supportive relationships with students, parents, and the community. When students know their teachers care about them, they feel motivated to invest more effort and work harder. It works at The Leelanau School. Check us out at leelanau.org #abetterwaytolearn
4 days ago

The Leelanau School invites our alumni, friends, and neighbors to join us for an evening of holiday cheer on Friday, December 13th. Join us for music, A Christmas Carol dramatic reading, and cookies and punch! There is no cost for this event, but we encourage you to reserve a spot at leelanau.org/scrooge or bit.ly/3CsdiBb ❄️ #theleelanauschool #CommunityCheer ... See MoreSee Less

The Leelanau School invites our alumni, friends, and neighbors to join us for an evening of holiday cheer on Friday, December 13th. Join us for music, A Christmas Carol dramatic reading, and cookies and punch! There is no cost for this event, but we encourage you to reserve a spot at leelanau.org/scrooge or https://bit.ly/3CsdiBb ❄️ #theleelanauschool #communitycheer

Your philanthropic support of The Leelanau School sustains and enriches our joyful learning community. And your gift will have DOUBLE the impact this year thanks to a generous pledge to match all gifts (up to $100,000) through December 31, 2024. Please consider making a one-time gift, sustaining contribution, or donation to our faculty wishlist at leelanau.org/giving or bit.ly/3NSLetg.

#DoubleTheImpact #givingfeelsgood #ThanksForGiving #theleelanauschool #NationalPhilanthropyDay
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Your philanthropic support of The Leelanau School sustains and enriches our joyful learning community. And your gift will have DOUBLE the impact this year thanks to a generous pledge to match all gifts (up to $100,000) through December 31, 2024. Please consider making a one-time gift, sustaining contribution, or donation to our faculty wishlist at leelanau.org/giving or https://bit.ly/3NSLetg.

#doubletheimpact #givingfeelsgood #thanksforgiving #theleelanauschool #nationalphilanthropyday

We offer our sincere gratitude to all Veterans—with special thanks to Leelanau School alumni and staff who chose this courageous path to protect our freedoms. Service is a noble Leelanau tradition and legacy. 🇺🇸 #honor #service #country ... See MoreSee Less

We offer our sincere gratitude to all Veterans—with special thanks to Leelanau School alumni and staff who chose this courageous path to protect our freedoms. Service is a noble Leelanau tradition and legacy. 🇺🇸 #honor #service #country

Too many teens dread High School. We believe learning should be joyful! Discover The Leelanau School at leelanau.org or bit.ly/47dCfuY #abetterwaytolearn #JoyfulLearning #seen #heard #known #Supported ... See MoreSee Less

1 CommentComment on Facebook

ITS THE BULLSHIT THESE GARBAGE SCHOOL SYSTEMS TEACH!!! MORE THAN HALF THE KIDS THESE DAYS GRADUATE WITH A 5TH GRADE EDUCATION!!! WE HIRE 6/7 KIDS FOR SUMMER ( BUILDING TRADE) AND 1 OUTTA 7 CAN FREAKIN ADD!! 1 OUTTA 7 CAN ACTUALLY FIGURE OUT THE SMALLEST OF ANY WAY OF APPROACH TO MAKING ANYTHING WORK?? BUT THEY'RE PRETTY DAMN GOOD USING THEIR FREAKIN PHONES!!

#awareness #integrity #leadership #interconnectedness #Stewardship #courage #resilience ... See MoreSee Less

#awareness #integrity #leadership #interconnectedness #stewardship #courage #resilience
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