Peabody School

We have 2 kids at Peabody and they have been there for 5 years. The result has been well-adjusted kids with a robust, positive and worldly outlook. This school seems to focus on one goal educating. They don`t veer off-course into religious dogma and are not dominated by the sports program. Our kids and their friends have healthy relationships with each other and life in general. They are open to people from all walks of life and have developed great social skills even in a small school environment. Make no mistake, Peabody is a high-performance, high-character school and there is student body turnover every year for both behavioral and academic reasons. There is also pretty high educator turnover. I think that teaching at Peabody may burnish a resume` and that is what some teachers use it for. However, in our 5 years, the consistency of the core products; high quality education and ethical character building, have not diminished. This year the Head of School is new and has been impressive. Parents need to clearly establish their expectations/limitations on the homework load. We have found the administrators and teachers responsive to our needs. At Peabody, you will find your great kid surrounded by other great kids. In a region with lots of quality choices, Peabody remains a no-brainer for our family.

Our daughter, a third grader, has attended Peabody School since Kindergarten. We could not be happier with her experience, and ours, at Peabody. We have watched the Peabody motto, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire", come true before our eyes. We have been particularly happy with the individuated learning that takes place - grouping and regrouping of kids not just by subject but by topic - so that everyone has an opportunity to learn exactly what they are ready to learn next. The pace of the curriculum is a good fit for our daughter, keeping her interested and engaged. The "specials" are top-notch - Art, Music, Drama, PE, Technology, Spanish AND French. But the teachers, as always, are really what seal the deal. They are, as a group, superb at what they do, engaged, energetic, creative, and focused. With a supportive administration they are able to create amazing educational experiences - 2nd graders performing Shakespeare, 3rd graders participating in "book clubs, 1st graders leading school meetings - and the list goes on.

Our older one just graduated from Peabody Middle School and our younger one just entered the Middle School there after three years in the Peabody Elementary School. We could not rave more about their Peabody experience. Both have had exceptional teachers: challenging but supportive, creative and committed. The academic program is challenging but the school makes room for lots of fun, outings, participation in off-campus programs. The specials are diverse and appropriate for all skill levels. Outstanding administrators complements great teachers. Both come up with new ideas every year that add to the school spirit and present further opportunities for the children. We could not wish for a better educational experience for our children! And our older one was superbly prepared for HS.

Peabody has been an excellent fit for our two children who were not being challenged at public schools. Teachers are engaging and engaged- willing to redirect classes and spend more time on subjects that students want to explore further, and encouraging children to pursue their individual interests. Although Peabody has a demanding curriculum, teachers are given the latitude to make lessons fun. Example- 2nd Grade Science Class studying physical reactions went outside and dropped Mentos into Diet Coke (and other sodas) to conduct their own, hands-on experiments. Humanities are also weighed heavily and Peabody has top-notch Art, Music and Drama courses.