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.
Academics
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
"Andrew joined our community for his senior year—no small act of courage. Stepping into a new school, new routines, and new relationships takes a quiet kind of strength, and Andrew has carried himself with steady grace throughout. He brings a calm, grounded presence to those around him—consistently kind, easy to be with, and well regarded by both peers and faculty. He has a way of moving comfortably across social circles, showing an openness that allows him to befriend just about anyone. Those who spend time with him come to appreciate his subtle sense of humor and thoughtful curiosity about the world around him. His presence has added something meaningful to our community. As he prepares to graduate, we recognize not only his accomplishment, but the resolve it took to make a change and see it through. We wish him the very best ahead." —Rob Hansen, Head of School #seniorshoutout #classof2026 #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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This is the way. #maythefourth #padawan #youngapprentice #pathtolearning #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor will host the 2026 Exposures show, a free public reception celebrating student art from Leelanau County. The exhibit will be open Friday, May 1, from 4–6:30 PM, and Saturday, May 2, from 12–4 PM.
This is the first time The Leelanau School will host the show, something Head of School Rob Hansen says they’re proud to be part of. “Exposures has been part of this community for decades, and it matters. It gives students a real platform to share their work, take creative risks, and see themselves in a larger artistic community. Our own students have benefited from it for years, so hosting it at Leelanau feels like a natural way to give back. We’re proud to open our campus and be part of something that reflects the creativity and spirit of this region,” Hansen said. ... See MoreSee Less
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At The Leelanau School, Senior Seminar Presentations are more than a final assignment—they are a rite of passage. Each senior develops a thesis, engages in sustained research, presents their findings to the community, and fields thoughtful questions from peers and faculty alike. It is a moment that calls for both intellectual rigor and personal voice.
This year’s topics reflect the remarkable range of our students’ curiosity—moving from progressive metal and Meshuggah to the history of tea in China; from the modern geopolitics of Russia to D-Day’s legacy; from Renaissance painting to firefighting tools and unmanned underwater vehicles—alongside personal and practical explorations of distance running, chess, fermentation, fitness, and the cultural history of dolls.
And perhaps most importantly, each one is an invitation—to listen closely, to ask questions, and to celebrate the emergence of young scholars finding their voice. #SeniorSeminar #StudentVoice #CuriosityinAction #LearningthatMatters #JoyfulLearning #ABetterWaytoLearn #TheLeelanauSchool ... See MoreSee Less
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"As a student who joined the Leelanau School community three years ago, Ty brings an exceptional level of care and attention to every project he takes on, often diving deeply into the smallest details others might overlook. Several examples come to mind.
On the Bahamas trip for Winter Term, Ty read guidebooks like novels, eager to see and identify as many species as possible. He spent long hours in the evenings with instructors, talking about sharks. The school where we were staying was trying to discourage a small Potcake puppy (the local breed) from hanging around campus. Wanting to follow the rules but unable to ignore the cuteness, Ty would trek long distances down the beach to find it and give it some attention. The campus dogs here at Leelanau will also have to cope without one of their biggest supporters next year.
Another example: after a visit to Northwestern Michigan College’s impressive drone lab, Ty chose as his senior project to build and test a SeaPerch underwater drone in a very short time. He will carry these arts and engineering skills with him to the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York next year. Go Tigers—and congratulations, Ty!" — Joe Blondia, Leelanau Faculty #seniorspotlight #abetterwaytolearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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Saturday night was golden for Leelanau students and faculty at the City Opera House. The 2026 Skipper Prom brought laughter, connection, and the kind of moments that linger long after the music fades ✨ #skipperprom #moments #connection #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes's post ... See MoreSee Less
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What a great treat to host The Pathfinder School at Leelanau for Star gazing!On Friday, April 10, our middle school students were hosted by The Leelanau School at their Lanphier Observatory, home to a 14″ Celestron Telescope.
Under the night sky, students engaged in hands-on astronomical observation—an experience that brought their science learning vividly to life. One highlight of the evening was capturing an image of the Pleiades star cluster, a stunning grouping of stars also known as the Seven Sisters.
Many thanks to middle school science teacher Mandi Young and Leelanau School faculty member Elizabeth Wolterink for coordinating this meaningful and memorable educational opportunity.
On Friday, May 8 Leelanau School Head of School Rob Hansen will be on campus hosting information sessions for Pathfinder families about the high school experience at Leelanau. ... See MoreSee Less
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Earth Day at Leelanau was more than a celebration—it was a reflection of who we are.
The day unfolded with hands-on moments of care and curiosity—upcycled art and landfill instruments, the protection of piping plovers, and a carbon footprint picnic. By afternoon, that learning reached outward—along campus trails and into the wider community. Students volunteered with partners like Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Samaritans' Closet, and Light of Day Organic Farm, tending to the places and people that sustain the enduring beauty of this place we call home.
Stewardship that begins with awareness grows into action. 🌎
#EarthDay #Stewardship #Community #ABetterWayToLearn #theleelanauschool ... See MoreSee Less
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