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.
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!
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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/ ... See MoreSee Less
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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.
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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? ... See MoreSee Less
Online School for Teens with School Anxiety: Is It the Right Choice?
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Considering online school for a teen with anxiety or school refusal? Explore why belonging, connection, and shared learning still matter.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
As summer sunsets give way to a new school year, we're reminded how fortunate we are to call this incredible place home. From peaceful mornings on the beach to unforgettable evenings under the stars, there are plenty of memories just waiting to be made at The Leelanau School.
Back-to-school season is almost here, and we can't wait to welcome new and returning students to a campus where every day begins with breathtaking views and endless opportunities to explore and thrive.
Here's to fresh starts, meaningful connections, and another unforgettable year.
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Not every success shows up on a transcript.
Sometimes success looks like...
Raising your hand.
Sleeping through the night.
Finishing an assignment independently.
Making your first close friend.
Taking a leap
Believing you're capable again.
Those victories matter. And they often become the foundation for everything that follows.
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Learn More
Who Thrives at The Leelanau School? - The Leelanau School
leelanau.org
Is The Leelanau School the right fit for your child? Learn about the students and families who find success in our small, relationship-centered boarding and day high school. %3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Every student will face hard things.
The question is whether school teaches them to fear failure—or trust themselves to overcome it.
Our latest blog explores the connection between resilience, school anxiety, and learning environments where students can truly grow.
School Anxiety: Why Resilience Is Built by Doing Hard Things - The Leelanau School ... See MoreSee Less
School Anxiety: Why Resilience Is Built by Doing Hard Things - The Leelanau School
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Learn why resilience grows when students feel safe to make mistakes—and how supportive learning environments can reduce school anxiety and build confidence.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Families often tell us:
"We were hoping next year would be different."
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it isn't.
If you're beginning to wonder whether your child's current school is the right fit, now is the time to start exploring your options.
Visiting a school doesn't commit you to anything. It simply keeps possibilities open.
Because being ready to be ready is enough.
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Learn More
Home - The Leelanau School
leelanau.org
The Leelanau School is a experiential coed college prep boarding and day school for grades 9-12 - Offering integrated learning support, individualized attention, small classes, and a commitment to who...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Forgot the assignment?
Lost the notebook?
Missed another deadline?
Those aren't moral failures.
They're executive functioning skills—and like algebra or writing, they can be taught.
Every Leelanau student receives direct instruction in planning, organization, time management, and self-advocacy because independence doesn't happen by accident.
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