A Blessing to Behold

Late November in Northern Michigan is a time when the changing seasons become strikingly clear. The leaves have fallen, apples harvested, and winter squash is stored away in the cellar. As we enjoy the fruits of the harvest, we enter a season of gratitude—a time for reflection and thanksgiving.

A school is much like a garden. Soil must be carefully nurtured to meet the unique needs of each seed. The weather, offering both nourishment and tribulation, helps build strength and resilience. Changing conditions demand a response from the gardener. In time, the hard-won blossoms attract attention, and that attention leads to shared fruits.

You have likely been one of these seeds - or a kindly gardener keeping watch.

The Leelanau School was founded by educators driven to provide personalized attention to aspiring students. Even 100 years ago, there was an understanding that educational research and emerging learning theories called for a wide range of teaching approaches. One size never fits all, especially when addressing intellectual development, social awareness, and self-confidence. Thus, Leelanau bloomed.

Over the decades, Leelanau has become a leader in small boarding school education—an independent, fully accredited institution dedicated to inspiring a passion for lifelong learning. Here, in a culture of acceptance, every student is known, seen, heard, and supported in their unique journey, becoming contributing members of our community. Thanks to the legacy of independence forged by our founders, we enjoy the freedom to pursue what is right, responsive, and current in best practices. We can be agile, creative, and focused on students’ needs, preparing them to succeed in an ever-changing world.

At Leelanau, we are grateful for the cycle of learning. We are grateful for the aspirations of our founders, bestowing on us this inspirational campus and these fertile ideals. Above all, we are grateful for you, the miracle of the seed becoming flower, and the flower becoming fruit. What a blessing to behold!