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.
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.
Many parents spend years asking:
"What's wrong?"
Why is my child losing confidence? Why do they seem disengaged? Why is school becoming such a struggle?
Those questions often lead to tutors, therapists, and countless efforts to help a child adapt.
But sometimes a different question is worth asking:
What if it isn't your child? What if the environment is no longer the right fit?
Explore why some students thrive after finding a school designed around how they learn, grow, and connect.
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Join us for some stargazing on Wednesday and Thursday evenings! ... See MoreSee Less
Lanphier Observatory celebrates 50 years
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This summer marks the 50th summer of stargazing at The Leelanau School’s Lanphier Observatory. Open to the public on Wednesday and Thursday nights from June 24 to Aug. 20, from dusk to midnig…0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Imagine wading, paddling, bog jumping, bird watching, stargazing, and experiencing science instead of burying your head in a book. The Leelanau School is blessed with a remarkable campus of fresh water, crystal rivers, woods, dunes, and wildlife. Hop in the boat with us by exploring enrollment opportunities for grades 9-12 at leelanau.org/admissions or bit.ly/46N5XXe #abetterwaytolearn #HandsOnLearning #windinourhair #sandbetweenourtoes #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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We can’t imagine The Leelanau School rooted anywhere but Northern Michigan. Our lakes, rivers, forests, and dunes are more than a backdrop—they’re our classroom, our inspiration, and the heartbeat of how we learn.
Want to join us in Fall 2026? Learn more at leelanau.org/admissions or bit.ly/4e0Ddgq ... See MoreSee Less
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We're excited to welcome Manitou Winds to The Leelanau School campus this Sunday, June 28, at 7:00 PM for their Summer Jumps & Jigs concert.
Join us for an evening of outstanding local music in one of Northern Michigan’s most beautiful settings, while supporting organizations that enrich and strengthen our community.
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The future of education isn't bigger.
It isn't more apps.
It isn't more dashboards.
It isn't more data.
It may be something much simpler: schools small enough that students can't disappear. Human-scale education may become one of the greatest advantages a school can offer.
Why the Future of Education Isn’t Bigger. It’s Smaller. - The Leelanau School ... See MoreSee Less
Why the Future of Education Isn’t Bigger. It’s Smaller. - The Leelanau School
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Why the future of education may be smaller, not bigger. Discover how small boarding schools help students thrive through relationships, belonging, and personalized support.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Learning should be creative. Joyful. Meaningful. At The Leelanau School, it is.
Know someone who hasn’t yet found joy in their high school experience? Please share this with them. They deserve to know school can feel like this.
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It's not complicated. Learning should be hands-on, adventurous, and joyful. We welcome applications for Fall 2026 from students and families seeking a challenging, creative, safe, and community-centered high school experience! Learn more at leelanau.org/admissions. #joyfullearning #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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"Will this be graded?" Few questions reveal more about modern education.
Many students have learned to pursue points rather than understanding—not because they lack curiosity, but because the system rewards compliance more consistently than learning. Our latest blog explores how schools can move beyond transactions and create transformative learning experiences.
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Transactional vs. Transformative Education - The Leelanau School
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Learn how transformative education fosters curiosity, independence, and deep learning, while transactional education often emphasizes grades, compliance, and task completion.0 CommentsComment on Facebook