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Excellent

#35 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 7% of private schools

The Leelanau School

High School

1 OLD HOMESTEAD RD, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

2.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Michigan high schools

#8 of 52

About The Leelanau School

The Leelanau School serves 35 students in grades 9-12 in the picturesque community of Glen Arbor, Michigan. This small public high school offers an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a remarkable student-teacher ratio of 2.9:1, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide highly personalized attention to each student. The school has earned strong recognition for its educational quality, receiving an 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #79 out of 460 high schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Michigan schools.

This impressive standing reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its small size. The intimate scale of The Leelanau School creates unique opportunities for students to develop close relationships with teachers and peers while receiving individualized support throughout their high school experience. The small enrollment ensures that every student can participate meaningfully in school activities and receive the attention needed to reach their potential.

Located on Old Homestead Road in Glen Arbor, The Leelanau School sits in the heart of Leelanau County's remote rural landscape, offering students an educational experience surrounded by the natural beauty of northern Michigan's forests and shorelines.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 35 students, The Leelanau School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.9:1, The Leelanau School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The Leelanau School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 2.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 34%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 80.0%
Black 11.4%
Hispanic 5.7%
Asian 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1 OLD HOMESTEAD RD, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Leelanau School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Senior High (rated 7.3/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Benzie Central Sr High School (rated 5.0/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Benzonia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Glen Arbor, see our Glen Arbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Glen Lake Community School Maple City 4.9 mi 5.7
Leland Public School Leland 13.1 mi 6.7
Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen 17.1 mi 6.8
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy Lake Leelanau 14.1 mi 7.2
Westwoods Elementary School Traverse City 16.9 mi 5.1
Long Lake Elementary School Traverse City 16.5 mi 5.7
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 20.7 mi 6.7
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 20.7 mi 5.0
Benzie Academy Benzonia 20.7 mi 4.7
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 21.0 mi 6.0
Suttons Bay Senior High School Suttons Bay 15.9 mi 3.4
Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School Suttons Bay 16.0 mi 6.9
Suttons Bay Virtual School Suttons Bay 16.0 mi 6.4
West Senior High Traverse City 18.1 mi 7.3
THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE Traverse City 18.3 mi 7.0
INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY Interlochen 21.9 mi 8.7
THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL Traverse City 17.9 mi 7.3
Silver Lake Elementary School Traverse City 20.2 mi 5.3
Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City 18.8 mi 5.1
West Middle School Traverse City 19.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49636 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,333

Median Home Value

$744,100

Population

634

College Educated

65.3%

Homeownership

94.2%

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

67.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Leelanau School has a median household income of $108,333. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $744,100. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Kent Education CenterBeltline Grand Rapids, MI 7.8
St Clair County Intervention Academy Port Huron, MI 7.8
Mixter School Lincoln Park, MI 7.7
Southfield Regional Academic Campus Southfield, MI 7.7
Visions Unlimited Farmington, MI 7.7
DeTour High School Detour Village, MI 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Leelanau School

What grades does The Leelanau School serve?

The Leelanau School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend The Leelanau School?

The Leelanau School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Leelanau School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Leelanau School is 2.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Leelanau School rank in MI?

The Leelanau School is ranked #35 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is The Leelanau School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Leelanau School has a composite rating of 8.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is The Leelanau School a private school?

Yes, The Leelanau School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Leelanau School a religious school?

No, The Leelanau School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
35
Gender Split
51% M / 49% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
9 hours
Days Per Year
160 days
Setting
Remote Rural
County
LEELANAU
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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