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.
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
Not every student is meant to disappear into a crowd. At The Leelanau School, students are known, challenged, and trusted to grow.
Now accepting applications from students and families seeking a creative, rigorous, and deeply human school experience. Winter Term entry beginning in January 2027 and Spring Term entry beginning in February 2027.
Small school. Big impact. Visit: bit.ly/4cliUfI ...
Learn More
Is The Leelanau School Right for Your Child? | ADHD & Learning Differences
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Learn about the students and families in our small, relationship-centered boarding and day high school.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Halloween at Leelanau: We started the day with some tasty treats, going to class, and ending our Friday with Doc the mini horse to learn about a local equine rescue organization. The students were able to flex their creative muscles to make colorful trading card versions of Doc!
#BetterWayToLearn #Halloween ...
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Shoutout to Mr. Ellsworth's architectural design course! This afternoon, they took advantage of the warm weather and worked in the open air woodshop crafting some design plans. We're looking forward to seeing their final products!🏡 ...
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Learning to understand one another takes practice—and adolescence offers so many opportunities to grow.
At Leelanau, shared projects, outdoor adventures, and everyday community life help students navigate differences, strengthen relationships, and build confidence. Here’s why this work belongs at the heart of education.
Adolescent Social Development | The Leelanau School ...
Adolescent Social Development | The Leelanau School
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Discover how small, experiential learning communities help teenagers develop perspective, navigate relationships, and build confidence.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Leelanau has always been a home for art, reflection, and peace. It's not difficult to appreciate our surroundings when such stunning vistas surround us. 📷: Michael Huey ...
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Sharing a room. Working through a disagreement. Learning when to speak up—and when to listen.
At Leelanau, these everyday experiences are part of the education. With caring adults nearby to guide and encourage, students practice the skills that help them build friendships, take responsibility, and grow into greater independence.
There is a lot to learn by living together.
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The Benefits of Residential Life at a Boarding School - The Leelanau School
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Residential Life programs provide a boarding school with uniquely important opportunities for students to learn and develop beyond the academic curriculum.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We’re wrapping up conferences and wishing the students well on their fall break! We’re glad they get to enjoy a week of relaxation, soaking up the fall colors, and connecting with family. We look forward to the students returning so we can keep growing together! ...
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In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Mrs. Blondia’s US History and Modern World Civilizations classes began preparing a special meal for lunch tomorrow. Featuring Algonquin squash empanadas, three sisters’ salad, sautéed greens, and Cherokee grape dumplings, this idea came out of an activity from earlier this year called “Meal Time in North America”. Thank you to our kitchen cooridinator Katlyn and Mrs. Blondia for setting this up, we’re looking forward to digging in tomorrow! ...
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Happy Monday and Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Our students had plenty of opportunities to recharge and reset before they tackle these next few days ahead of fall break at the end of this week. Some students enjoyed a trip to Handz On Art 🎨 Paint Your Own Pottery in Traverse City to paint some gorgeous pottery. Others went on a journey back in time to the Renaissance Faire of St. Ambrose in Beulah (📸: St. Ambrose Cellars) to enjoy historical combat and nourishment. Speaking of traditional food, stay tuned for tomorrow’s post featuring a yummy surprise in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. ...
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