College Prep Boarding School in Northern Michigan

The Leelanau School:
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the banks of the Crystal River in Northwest Michigan, Leelanau is a strength-based small boarding school offering Grades 9 - 12 to intelligent boys and girls who learn differently, especially those with ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, and similar learning difficulties.

Co-Educational Boarding and Day Programs for Students in Grades 9-12:

Humanities:
Our intention at Leelanau is to take students beyond knowing how to read and write to knowing how to think. We combine the personal and the global. Studying the Humanities means more than grammar, vocabulary, geography, historical facts, and study of the classics.

Our goal is to personalize reading, writing and thinking so that students can apply the wisdom of literature, history and religion to their own experiences. Our classes are small so that everyone’s voice can be heard. The emphasis is placed on personal growth and the individual’s role in the global community.

Math and Sciences:
As a department, we value and emphasize the scientific method through data collection and analysis, firsthand observation, and the application of analytical skills as frequently as possible.

Students are regularly in the field collecting information on topics such as the health of freshwater ecosystems and bird populations through the use of tracking, listening, reading and writing skills. 

In contrast, participation in the lab for chemistry, physics, biotechnology and anatomy is a daily experience. Exploration and constructive style delivery methods are of major importance in this department.

Spanish:
Students can choose between beginner, imtermediate or advanced Süpanish. Five goals encompass all world language curricular objectives: mastery of Communication Skills, Knowledge of Cultures, Understanding Connections, Comparisons, and Communities---the five C’s of world languages.

Studio Art:
The emphasis of this course is to provide a foundation of visual arts concepts and to experientially explore those concepts through the process of making art. Throughout this course the students will be introduced to a myriad of techniques and experience a wide variety of media. They will then explore the expressive potential of those media including: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and various crafts.

Music:
This course explores the history of jazz and how it fits into our society today. We will build upon the prior skills that each student has on his/her instrument, adding an understanding of basic music theory and improvisational techniques. The students will form an ensemble that will perform several concerts throughout the school year.

College Prep Testing:
Throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years, students sit for the PSAT, the SAT I and II, the ACT, and some for the MEAP, all of which are administered on our campus or in the immediate area.

Regular testing has been found to be good preparation for college, and also qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship competition (PSAT/NMSQT).

ESL and TOEFL Programs:
Test preparation is incorporated into the Humanities and Math curricula and computerized self-preparation programs are available. ESL students take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Advanced Placement Courses:
AP students participate in AP spring testing in a wide area of subjects from calculus to American hostory, advanced Spanish to Photography.

Learning Resource Center:
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is a curricular program designed to guide students toward becoming independent self-directed learners. Students entering the program begin by determining their learning styles – strengths and challenges - and their present level of academic functioning across all subject areas.

Exploratory Week Program:
We offer an exploratory week program with five-day educational adventures.

Weekend Activities:
Weekend activities vary each week and are planned by faculty, staff, and most importantly, our students. A weekend suggestion box located in the main office welcomes comments from everyone. Examples of our off campus events are listed below:

- Performance at Interlochen Arts Academy / Traverse City Orchestra
- Ice Skating
- Girls’ nights out
- Town trips - downtown Traverse City / Grand Traverse Mall / Front Street
- Movies
- Full Moon Hike
- Swimming trip to the Park Place
- Weekend trips to South Manitou
- Rock climbing in Marquette
- Sunset Dune Hike
- Halloween Barn Dance and Bonfire
- Mountain Biking VASA Trail trip
- Horseback riding at local stable

Life Skills:
Life Skills offerings at Leelanau give students opportunities to learn more than just academics. Students sign up at the beginning of each semester for a minimum of two life skills topics.

The faculty and staff provide topics that they are familiar with and can teach in a “hands-on” manner. Each year, students come out of this program with a new set of skills that build their knowledge base and boost their self confidence.

The Mentor Program:
The Leelanau School provides a mentor program for all incoming and some returning students. Returning seniors, juniors and occasionally sophomore serve as mentors. 

The purpose of our mentor program is to help new students adjust to life at a boarding school. The mentors primarily address non-academic issues. The mentors receive training and support from mentor advisors.