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. As a Michigan boarding school dedicated to experiential learning, we engage all your senses to include kinesthetic, visual, and verbal education. 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.
Mark your calendars! We look forward to hosting the Glen Arbor Players for another wonderful production. This time, they're taking us down south to Savannah, Georgia for a heartfelt comedy about friendship, love, and life. We wish the Glen Arbor Players a successful run, and hope you can join us for six shows' worth of fun! ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last chance to catch some entertainment by the fire! If you'd like to end the summer with some poetry, music, and stories, come on down to the beach by The Leelanau School tonight. Call (231) 334-5800 for more information. We'll see you there! ...
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Here's a glimpse of some iconic places around the school while we get ready for everyone to rejoin us for another great year! What's your favorite spot on campus? Let us know in the comments!
#theleelanauschool #betterwaytolearn ...
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
You know what makes Leelanau special. If you know a student who might thrive in our small, welcoming, relationship-centered community, please share Leelanau with their family and encourage them to connect with our Admissions Office.
Sometimes the right school is discovered through someone who already knows it well.
bit.ly/4cliUfI ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
For many students, the greatest loss isn't another poor grade.
It's hope.
In this article, I explore why restoring a young person's belief that success is still possible may be the first step toward helping them thrive again.
...
The Greatest Casualty Isn't a Transcript. It's Hope. - The Leelanau School
bit.ly
Is your bright child struggling in school? Learn why academic challenges often begin with a loss of hope—and how the right school can restore confidence.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Behind every beautiful corner of The Leelanau School, there's someone who made it happen. Rain or shine, our facilities team works tirelessly to maintain our campus. We want to take time to shine a spotlight on everyone who helps keep the school as gorgeous as it is all year. Thank you for all that you do to keep us running smoothly!
#theleelanauschool ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Shine on, Sophie Schwartz (Leelanau School Alum '24). Thank you for supporting the local community.Conservation work doesn’t just materialize. It’s driven by passionate scientists—and scientists in the making!
Meet Sophie Schwartz, our 2026 Watershed Science and Outreach Intern. Sophie attended high school at The Leelanau School and fell in love with the area and its natural beauty. Now, she’s supporting our science and stewardship while finishing her degree. In the future, Sophie wants to connect her passions for film and conservation work into a meaningful career.
Check out Sophies first blog: www.glenlakeassociation.org/introducing-the-glas-2026-watershed-science-and-outreach-intern/ ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
More than 80 years ago, students at Pinebrook, the institution that would become The Leelanau School, stepped into the spotlight for an operetta that showcased the creativity and talent of their era.
Looking at this photo from a 1944 yearbook, it's easy to notice how much has changed. But what's even more remarkable is what hasn't. For generations, the arts at The Leelanau School have played a crucial role in helping our students find confidence, express themselves, and build a community. From long hours developing guitar skills on the beach to discovering a passion for songwriting, there's no limit to the creative capacities they find within themselves.
Throughout our history, The Leelanau School has offered more than a place for our students and community to perform—it's been a place to call home.
#throwbackthursday #theleelanauschool #performingarts ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
When school has become a source of anxiety or refusal, online school can feel like relief.
But getting away from what isn’t working is only part of the question.
What is your child moving toward?
If you’re considering online school for a struggling teen this fall, our latest blog offers something important to consider.
Read more at the link below.
Online School for Teens with School Anxiety: Is It the Right Choice? ...
Online School for Teens with School Anxiety: Is It the Right Choice?
bit.ly
Considering online school for a teen with anxiety or school refusal? Explore why belonging, connection, and shared learning still matter.0 CommentsComment on Facebook