When “Good Schools” Aren’t Enough: Why Some Students Need a Smaller Community to Thrive ABOUT A  4  MINUTE READ –  Many families who contact us begin with a similar realization: “Our child is at a good school. The teachers care. The curriculum is strong. And yet… something isn’t working.” This can be hard to name. Parents have chosen thoughtfully and stayed involved. Still, their child feels disconnected, anxious, under-motivated, or quietly unhappy. The issue is often not the quality of the school—but the fit. When the Environment No Longer Fits the Student In larger or more traditional schools, students are expected to adapt to the system. For many, that works. For others—especially thoughtful, creative, or differently wired learners—the experience can feel impersonal or overwhelming. These students may: Participate less, despite being capable Lose confidence or motivation Go unnoticed—not in trouble, but not thriving Feel increasing stress or disengagement Over time, parents begin asking a different question: not “Is this a good school?”...

Rethinking Readiness: Growth Beyond College Admission Building Capacity, Confidence, and Resilience Before College ABOUT A  3  MINUTE READ –  At The Leelanau School, we understand that getting into college is not the same as being ready for college—or for life. True readiness is built through daily experiences that challenge students, test their limits, and teach them how to navigate the unexpected. What does readiness really mean? It encompasses more than academic knowledge: Executive functioning – managing time, priorities, and responsibilities independently. Community engagement – contributing meaningfully while building relationships. Personal wellness – caring for one’s mind, body, and emotions. Resilience – facing setbacks with courage and adaptability. Self-awareness – understanding strengths, limits, and values, and making intentional choices. High school is the critical time to do this work—developing the habits, judgment, and skills that will carry students successfully into college and adulthood. At Leelanau, academics are a...

Attention, Wellness, and the Kind of Schools Kids Deserve Designing Schools That Work for ADHD—and Everyone ABOUT A  4  MINUTE READ –  Over the years, I’ve come to believe something pretty strongly: when you design a school that truly works for students with ADHD, you’re usually designing a school that works better for everyone. At first glance, it might seem like students with ADHD need something “special” — a particular kind of structure, a certain flexibility, more patience, more movement. And they do. But the longer I’ve been in education, the more I’ve realized that these supports aren’t just about ADHD. They’re about how humans learn, how attention works, and how schools can either help or hinder a student’s growth. Why Instruction Alone Isn’t Enough We know that students with ADHD need predictable routines, clear expectations, and lessons broken into manageable steps. They thrive when teachers explicitly teach skills like organization, time management, and self-advocacy. But none of this matters if a student’s nervous system is...

Finding Magic in the Mess ABOUT A  3  MINUTE READ –  Transitions can be hard but they can also be magical.  During the school year, the magic of The Leelanau School can be clouded in conflict, struggle, and growing pains, but between graduation and alumni weekend, it is undeniable.  We’ve had so many past students return or reconnect with us these past few weeks to share what Leelanau meant to them. Some of them graduated here, some of them didn’t. Some were here 4 years, some less than a semester. Because, from day one, we’re not like other schools. It takes resilience and faith to learn and teach here; just like it takes resilience and faith to succeed in today’s rapidly changing reality Instead of “teaching to the test” we create the conditions for learners to learn how to learn. Life isn’t about what you know or can memorize and regurgitate on a test, especially now when most facts are a few taps away on a device in our pocket- but so are a lot of AI fails, fiction, and deliberate misdirections.  I was reminded just today as I was...

Back-to-School Pictures ABOUT A 3 MINUTE READ –  August’s end and September’s beginning are the times when our social media feeds are filled with photos of our friends’ fresh-faced kids standing in smart new outfits, perched on their porch, in the driveway, or in front of a big yellow bus. Some hold up signs or fingers matching their upcoming grade, while others clutch colorful new lunch boxes announcing their interest du jour. Most are grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of old friends, new teachers, and the promise of learning adventures.  As a teacher myself, raised in a family of educators, I’ve continued this tradition well into adulthood. My mom still awaits that back-to-school photo text from me, though the lunchbox has been replaced with a mug of strong coffee in one hand and often a class pet in the other. My cheesy smile is a giveaway of my excitement for the morning bell and a classroom of eager learners. And, boy, was I in trouble with Mom my first September at Leelanau when I didn’t send a picture! By no...