When you’re a parent, one of the most painful things you can experience is watching your child struggle. It can be agonizing, because even though every ounce of your being wants to make things better, sometimes it seems like nothing works.

My younger son, Josh, started having difficulties in school in seventh grade. An extremely bright kid, he had been a model student up until then. Learning was easy for him and keeping up with his schoolwork was never a problem. So when things took a turn for the worse, my wife and I were perplexed.

Thanks to dedicated Staff, Donors, and Board Members

The Leelanau School is pleased to announce that it has completed their $4 million LeelaNow Campaign. This campaign was a key element in a successful debt reduction and financial restructuring program. Through guidance from the Board of Trustees, smart business management, sophisticated fundraising, and generous outside financial support, the school has successfully placed itself on a sound and sustainable financial base.

Read more about the newly resurfaced tennis courts at The Leelanau School and how they came to be!

These days, some schools frown upon trips that take kids out of school, even if the travel is educational. For example, the principal of a school in Pennsylvania made the news recently when she told a father that his children would receive unexcused absences for accompanying him on his trip to Boston to run the Boston Marathon. For that principal, time away from school apparently means that children aren’t learning.

At the Leelanau School, we think differently.

Leelanau School Awareness Night at the State Theatre Is May 18th

Students at the Leelanau School know that they are in a special place. They know that they are surrounded by people who accept and support them, and that the experiential learning they encounter on an everyday basis will help them make their educational and career dreams come true.

On Monday, May 18, we will be sharing those and other unique benefits of our school during Leelanau School Awareness Night at the historic State Theatre in downtown Traverse City.