Welcome
The academic philosophy here at The Leelanau School is rooted in a strengths-based, multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning. A highly structured and individualized academic program allows each student to understand, develop, and apply their unique intelligence and skills to our rigorous college preparatory curriculum.
The Leelanau School's academic program is led by a dedicated, caring and expert faculty. Our teachers offer rich and varied curricula drawing in part from their training in differentiated instruction, simultaneous multi-sensory instruction, project based learning and experiential learning. A 'classroom' at Leelanau is hardly defined by four walls and a row of desks. Class happens while wearing waders in the Crystal River on campus, conducting water quality research on Glen Lake, touring Washington DC, sailing through the British Virgin Islands and immersing in the language, culture and history of Guatemala.
We believe that learning is a life-long endeavor. Students must develop self-awareness, creativity, discipline, curiosity and empathy to use their intelligence well. Our academic program values the whole person and seeks to know each student individually in order to help them become self-directed independent thinkers in the classroom and beyond. When students are allowed to learn and show their knowledge using their strengths, they become engaged in the process of learning, leading to improved motivation, resilience and productivity. Students are then more willing to consider the aspects of learning that are most challenging and set goals to develop the skills and strategies to improve. In other words, our students gain the independence and freedom they desire by demonstrating competence and mastery of their learning.
If you have questions about the academic program at The Leelanau School, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rob Himburg
Director of Academics