What is the Lighthouse School?

The Lighthouse school is a residential alternative high school education program which offers students (ages 16-21) an opportunity to return to school, change environments, and hopefully, acquire a new perspective on education & life.

Eligible co-ed students are referred from a ten-county geographic area of Northwest Michigan.

A rigorous academic schedule includes
7-days/week routine.

Historic Lighthouse Site
The Beaver Island Lighthouse (sometimes referred to as Beaver Head Light Station or South End Light Station) has the distinction of being listed as a significant site in the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes.

Charlevoix Public Schools have owned this site since 1975.  Since that time, they have collaborated with theTraverse Bay Area Intermediate School District's Youth Program & the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments to provide Work Experience programs to disadvantaged youth, alternative education programs to youth at-risk of not completing high school, and have worked diligently to preserve this important piece of our nation's history.

Summer Work Experience
Eligible youth participate in 3 components daily: work experience, academics, & recreation.
More than 1,000 youth from Northwest Michigan have made a significant contribution in rescuing this site from virtual ruin.