The Leelanau School offers 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.

Quick Stats (2023)

  • Top Ranked MI School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 41 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $66,900
  • Acceptance rate: 96%
  • Average class size: 6 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Leelanau School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Sports offered
School History

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1929

Student Body

Total Students
41 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
23%
State avg.: 19%
Students by Grade
The Leelanau School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
3:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
6 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Students are encouraged to be comfortable; bring weather appropriate gear; special dress on occasions

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
2022-2023 Programs: 7-Day Boarding ($66,900), 5-Day boarding ($57,425) and Day Student ($33,450)
% on Financial Aid
51%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$19,328
Acceptance Rate
96%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Kate Caliri

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
9 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
National Honor Society, Numerous Clubs are offered, Options are endless!, Student Council, Student Voices, Volunteer Opportunties

Arts and Music Programs:
Guitar, Options are endless!, Performance Group: Mighty Snappy

School Notes

  • Since its founding in 1929, The Leelanau School has ignited a passion for learning. In continuing this tradition, we allow our students to immerse themselves in their educational experience, by flipping traditional learning on its point.
  • With an emphasis on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, our students are constantly pushed to think about the world around them and how they interact with that world.
  • We help guide our students toward answers rather than telling them what is correct, thus allowing each student to explore their academic passions in an immersive and nurturing environment.  
  • As a College Preparatory school, we define rigor by pushing our students to stretch their perceived limits.
  • As an experiential school, we push our faculty to create authentic experiences that foster the level of thinking our students are capable of achieving.
  • The Leelanau School has a long history of teaching students with various learning styles through experiential learning. We are passionate about teaching and learning and are ready to help fuel our students' desire to learn.
  • Located on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the banks of the Crystal River, Leelanau is a small boarding school with limited enrollment. We are able to offer students an individualized approach to academics from our expert faculty and an enriching and structured residential life program that continues beyond the school day. Whether in the classroom or the dorm, in the equestrian ring, on the slopes, or volunteering in the community, everything about Leelanau is a life-enriching experience.
  • For over 90 years, The Leelanau School has challenged high school students to reach beyond their acknowledged potential in every aspect of their lives. We offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum using multi-sensory, experiential, and strength-based methodologies. We offer an approach to education that is excellent for all learners, and critical for those with learning differences.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Leelanau School cost?

The Leelanau School's tuition is approximately $66,900 for private students.

What schools are The Leelanau School often compared to?

The Leelanau Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Interlochen Arts Academy by visitors of our site.

What is the acceptance rate of The Leelanau School?

The acceptance rate of The Leelanau School is 96%, which is higher than the national average of 94%.

What sports does The Leelanau School offer?

The Leelanau School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Archery, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Nordic Skiing, Paddle Tennis, Snowboarding, Tennis and Weightlifting. The Leelanau School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Michigan for most sports offered.

What is The Leelanau School's ranking?

The Leelanau School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Michigan for: Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for The Leelanau School?

The application deadline for The Leelanau School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (7 reviews)
5  
Leelanau has been transformational for our son, and I am confident it will greatly improve his life beyond high school.Our son is a smart and engaging boy. Despite a good level of support from the school. , he struggled badly in the public school system. We searched for a school that would be focused on college preparation - but also effective at teaching methods that address his executive function and ADHD issues. We found it at Leelanau.Leelanau is unique in addressing our sons needs academically, socially and emotionally. The teachers are very skilled and the administrators are engaged and talented. Despite its small size, it offers a good range of extracurricular activities, including arts, music, theater and outings.The school has very small class size and personal attention, and multifaceted approach to learning to help each student achieve their potential. They offer a very solid education in the core high school skills: math, literacy, science, etc. It takes advantage of its truly beautiful and unique setting in the middle of a National Lake Shore (similar to a national park) for teaching opportunities (such as for biology) and socially (for camping and outings).
- Posted by
5  
As a student with ADHD, this school changed my life. Some of the kindest, most caring people I''ve ever met work at this school. Some of them attend it. It's in a beautiful place and they do an amazing job of teaching. Excellent. 10/10 would recommend.
- Posted by
5  
The Leelanau School is unique. Academically, it has an ideal student-teacher ratio, and the experiential approach to education keeps kids focussed and enthusiastic. Given the student-teacher ratio, my son is learning a valuable skill speaking with teachers and adults (other than parents) about school and life. It is a subtle, but significant, difference to traditional schools. The teachers and staff at Leelanau care, and it shows. My son went from 1. something to a 3.2 overnight after switching from a traditional, catholic, college-prep school to Leelanau. Here's why: in biology, why reach into a formaldehyde filled jar, pull out a dead frog, and dissect it when you can go down to the Crystal River, catch a fish and dissect that instead? In English, why sit in a class and discuss a great book (think The Sword in the Stone), when you can read the book and then go see a falconer and learn about falconry? Or, why read a book about swimming in a classroom when you can go outside and swim in a river between chapters? Which approach will reinforce the concepts better? Same material, different approach, better outcome. The Leelanau campus is beautiful, too. It is situated on Lake Michigan, the Crystal River runs through it, the campus is exceptionally large and forested, and the accommodations are just right. I highly recommend this school.
- Posted by
5  
The school is amazing! They are committed to keeping class sizes small, so all students receive individuailzed attention. Students are encuraged to think for themselves and ask questions, while particiapating in a rigorous college prep. curriculum. All classes are hands on and minds on, thus honoring all learners and helping all students succeeded . An incredible school, we wish all students could attend Leelanau!
- Posted by
5  
Leelanau School has been the best decision for my child! Our child is independent and has found an environment where he is thriving! Leelenau is a structured and loving environment where students are surrounded by a staff invested in seeing each child reach their individual potential. Highly Recommend!
- Posted by
5  
Fantastic program! Teachers, advisers, and administrators work with each student individually to help students grow academically, socially and emotionally. It's one of the best programs I've seen as an educator and as a parent. So much of it is hands-on and outside that the location is beyond ideal. You can't do this kind of work in New York City or Boston.
- Posted by
5  
This school is an amazing and beautiful place. The staff and students become like family. The kids are given the support and tools to really grow emotionally and intellectually. The environment they have created gives their students an abundance of opportunities to experience success. The Leelanau environment fosters leadership, creativity, self discovery and confidence. Best decision I ever made for my son and he agrees.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2023)

  • Top Ranked MI School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 41 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $66,900
  • Acceptance rate: 96%
  • Average class size: 6 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Michigan is $6,558 for elementary schools and $11,439 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Michigan is 94% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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