It’s almost time to go back to school. The Ticker checked in with the county’s school district leaders to see what’s on tap for the 2026-27 school year.

Glen Lake Community Schools: Jason Misner, Superintendent

The Glen Lake Community School building has been extremely busy all summer with the second summer of work to replace our HVAC system and remodel of the building. This summer’s scope of work was aimed at replacing the last sections of the building which were supplied with an antiquated steam heating system. The entire building will now be heated by new and efficient hot water boilers.  All rooms in the building will also be upgraded to include air conditioning by next year. The high school, middle school, 300 wing and main corridor spaces were all upgraded over the past two summers. The elementary section of the building is scheduled to be completed next summer.

All secondary students will return to an updated and climate-controlled building that is aimed at enhancing student learning. We welcome our community and families to an informal ribbon cutting ceremony before our open house on August 26 at 5:45.

Leland Public School: Ryan Huppert, Superintendent

Staff and administration at Leland Public School have been busy this summer preparing for the 2026-27 school year. We are excited to welcome several new staff members, including elementary teachers Delaney Klein and Arden Wilson, high school English teacher Samantha Shallcross and K–12 Social-Emotional Learning and Behavioral Health Specialist Dawn Heartwell.

We are entering our first full year using ParentSquare as our central communication platform and continuing work to strengthen offerings and support for students. We are conducting an inclusive process to create a new multi-year strategic plan to direct our long-term district efforts. This summer our facility benefitted from some new carpet, a new water treatment system and much deep cleaning. 

We look forward to welcoming families back at our K-12 Open House/Farm-to-School Dinner on Wednesday, August 26, from 5–7 p.m. We welcome students back for the first day of school on Tuesday, September 1.

Suttons Bay Public Schools: Casey Petz, Superintendent

This Fall, Suttons Bay Public Schools will welcome students and families back to a campus filled with exciting changes and updates inside our classrooms and almost everywhere you look around our school grounds. Operations, maintenance and construction crews have worked tirelessly to complete upgrades to parking lots, classroom spaces, athletic fields and entrance areas.  We still have plenty of work ahead, but there's also a lot that we've already completed. 

Inside our classrooms, we are rolling out new social studies curriculums in Kindergarten through 12th grade, adding new classes for our advanced learners at the High School Level that allow students to earn direct college credit with NMC and upgrading instructional technology with new smart display boards and document cameras for all our teaching staff.  We are ready for students, staff and families to return to school on September 8.

Northport Public School: Neil Wetherbee, Superintendent

Here at Northport Public School, as we prepare to welcome students back, there is a great deal of excitement about the year ahead. Our custodial staff spent the summer getting the school ready, with classrooms and common spaces cleaned, fresh paint around the building and floors resurfaced and renewed.

We are fortunate to begin the year with very little staff turnover. With a veteran team returning, we are ready to hit the ground running and build on the strong work and successes of previous years. That consistency allows us to stay focused on what matters most: our students.

As always, we will continue to put children first in the decisions we make and the work we do. We look forward to another year of learning, growth and opportunity for every student in our school community.

The Leelanau School: Rob Hansen, Head of School

The Leelanau School begins the 2026–27 year with new faculty members strengthening several areas central to our program, including learning skills, counseling, mathematics and science. These additions deepen our ability to provide individualized executive-function support while expanding the engaging, experiential learning that connects classroom work with creativity, movement, collaboration and the world around us.

We also continue to invest in professional development that helps our faculty respond thoughtfully to the social, emotional and intellectual capacities of today’s students. This work strengthens our intentionally personal approach to ensuring that every student feels known, supported and connected.

We are also eager to make greater use of our newly renovated auditorium. Improvements to its sound, lighting and technical capabilities will expand opportunities for student performances, presentations, community gatherings, and partnerships with local arts organizations. We look forward to a year shaped by curiosity, belonging, and meaningful participation in both academic and residential life.

St. Mary Catholic School: Kelly Coffman, Principal

Founded in 1887, St. Mary School is the only Catholic school on the Leelanau Peninsula, providing a faith-filled education for students from Pre-K through 12th grade.

As students return to campus, they will be welcomed by their beloved pastor, teachers, faculty, staff, and classmates, along with several new faces, including Mr. Kelly Coffman, Principal; Mrs. Leslie Summers, Vice Principal; additional faculty and staff and many new families joining the St. Mary community this year.

St. Mary is committed to building a strong partnership among school, home, and parish while forming students in faith, virtue, character, and academic excellence. New this year is the Education in Virtue program, which teaches students that true happiness comes from recognizing, choosing, and consistently practicing the good.