Newsletter

Celebrating Independence since 1929!

July marks the celebration of independence and self-governance. The 4th of July holiday, of course, marks a historical event leading to the creation of a new nation, America. In the broader sense, independence means freedom from external control or unwanted influence. It does not mean isolation, obstinance, frivolity, or lack of constraint. It means that decisions must be made with respect to current constituents, and the benefits and consequences of our actions are entirely our own to bear.

Leelanau has been an independent school since its founding in 1929. That means we have self-governance over curriculum, assessment, instruction, finances, and administration. Since we receive no public funding, we are free from unpopular public mandates and political interference. We are untethered to a central authority that drives schools toward standardization. We get to do our own research on best practices, learn from other institutions, honor current research, and seek the influence of the families vested in our mission. We can inspire critical thinking with methods and materials of our choosing. We can navigate challenging topics in a safe, honest, and respectful manner. When we make mistakes, we are held accountable by the people we know and serve. When we have success, we celebrate with those same people. We are an authentic community free of unvested spectators.

With our independence, there remains a duty to be disciplined, intentional, and transparent in our service to our customers. We have a sacred obligation to educate young people so they are prepared for the world in which they will live, discovering ways for each to make a contribution and secure their own joyful—and independent—future.

As an independent school, we must also be learning leaders for other schools to follow. Our freedom allows us to be more agile than other environments. We can innovate more freely and attempt to meet emerging student needs without bureaucratic hurdles. Independent schools need to be the incubators of inspiration for the greater educational community.

Our chosen independence does come with the burden of being self-financed. We cannot levy taxes or sell bonds. Instead, we must charge tuition and seek donations to fund our programs. We are dependent on those who understand and support the value of our mission and community.

Leelanau continues to celebrate all that our founders sought for this community of teachers and learners. Fireworks continue to ignite our classrooms and light our skies as we pursue knowledge, personal growth, and a spirited experience for our Leelanau students.

Sincerely,

Rob Hansen

Head of School

P.S. If you would like to help fund this independence, consider making a gift today at leelanau.org/opendoor or by calling 231.334.5841.

Celebrating Independence since 1929!

Sincerely,

Rob Hansen

Head of School

P.S. If you would like to help fund this independence, consider making a gift today at leelanau.org/opendoor or by calling 231.334.5841.

Auditorium Updates

The Leelanau School is eager to share our light with others and provide a stage for our neighbors to shine!

"Leelanau is here to make learning visible. To learn something new is great. To develop a talent is wonderful. It proves we can overcome trepidation with resilience. But things only have value if they can be shared. Pots of gold never spent are not worth the jars that hold them.

So making visible TO OTHERS the wisdom you have collected is an act of courage and generosity. And that is what keeps the experiment of humanity rolling on this planet.” - Rob Hansen

The Leelanau School has celebrated an independent, student-focused, community-centered education for over nine decades. Our mission is to uplift and enrich the high school experience by being agile, hands-on, and guided by student and faculty interests, passions, and strengths. We welcome variety, creativity, and the opportunity to build an inclusive community of diverse thinkers and well-rounded global citizens.

Unfortunately, many of our neighbors have never visited our campus, met our creative students, or seen our educational programs in action.

As we embark on our updated 7-year strategic plan and approach our 100th school anniversary, Leelanau is committed to opening our doors to a wider community. Our approach to joyful learning is intentional, even contagious. It generates a sense of community and belonging that deserves to be shared. We are eager to engage with Glen Arbor and Leelanau County in new and exciting ways, and sharing access to our school’s historic Auditorium seems a welcoming start.

Renovating and sharing our historic Auditorium with our Leelanau County neighbors will bring more art, culture, and business to our neighbors. Likewise, engaging our neighbors widens our circle of friends and enriches our student experience. We all benefit from expanded opportunities, audiences, relationships, community, and school pride.

It doesn’t take too much homework to see that this is a winning equation. The only remaining problem to solve— growing awareness and funding for this worthwhile project.

If you have the capacity or interest to help us reimagine and renovate this community space, please contact Kate Olson or Rob Hansen at 231.334.5841 or development@leelanau.org. We are eager to share more information about our plans and needs.