The Leelanau School

[EduCativ]

Located on 40 acres of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline with the Crystal River flowing through our campus, The Leelanau School is a college prep boarding school for intelligent 9-12th graders.

Our school is staffed by a professional and supportive community of success facilitators, both inside and outside the classroom. We strive to identify all aspects of our students' unique learning styles to build strategies that meet each student's educational and social development needs. We offer a college preparatory curriculum using multi-sensory, project-based, experiential, and strength-based methodologies. Students gain awareness, build skills and strategies to maximize their learning potential, and grow into independent learners.

As a result, 100% of our seniors are accepted into quality colleges and universities. Academics are only part of the equation - we also weave into our daily lessons life skills which help students mature in social relationships develop independent living skills to prepare them for dorm living in college. Nothing we can put in print or photographs can come close to what you will see and experience when you visit the campus, so I hope you'll plan a visit to meet us here on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula. Visit and see for yourself what loving to learn looks like!

At Leelanau, we understand that vibrancy in teaching and learning flows smoothly when students, faculty, and parents share a philosophical belief in the significance of our time together. A collective sense of purpose is essential in any grand endeavor. Every day is important. Every interaction is an opportunity to teach and learn from one another.

We value the learning experience differently than many "traditional" settings. We offer an alternative to standardization, large classrooms, narrowing of the curriculum, and competitive assessment. We believe in the simple truth that schooling can be simultaneously joyful, challenging, personal, and communal. We embrace the paradigm that hard-work and laughter are partners in the journey to wisdom and self-reliance. We build awareness that all learners desire purpose and fulfillment through schooling, and only by experiencing such personal rewards will they establish a habit of lifelong learning.

For 90 years, Leelanau has pursued and protected a profound model of teaching and learning. The tenants of "learning by doing," the synergy of intellectual, social, and emotional development, and the importance of personal relationships supporting learning are not new ideas. Such has been the way of Leelanau since its founding. These are also the well-researched and time-tested characteristics of any thriving educational environment. When we claim Leelanau offers "a better way to learn," we do so deliberately and with great confidence. Each day, we are creating and supporting an emotional and humane schooling experience for our students.

• As your Head of School, my sacred responsibility is to ensure we each feel agency in the adventure of Leelanau. Faculty and Students will always be challenged to approach teaching and learning with enthusiasm. Teachers are expected to innovate, create, and provide meaningful experiences that unlock new understanding. They are obliged to listen, observe, and respond to student needs. Students are taught to ask for help, self-advocate, persevere and take pride in their work. They are called to voice their opinions, cooperate with their classmates, and support others' learning. By focusing on the importance of our time together, we create an inviting, challenntic. Our intention is always to be at school. We intend to feel safe, validated, and grow comfortable in their own skin.
• Students will be challenged, academic, and socially to safely discover their capacity to and contribute.
• We stand by our students' side and not in their way.
• Stewardship, Leadership, Awareness, Integrity, Resilience, Courage, and Interconnectedness are celebrated both in students and staff.
• Each individual's unique talents are woven into our fabric to benefit the community that is our school.
• Personal expression is accomplished in the arts, music, writing, exploration, and invention.
• Schooling is compassionate and humane.
• Service and kindness are the ultimate expressions of wisdom.

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