Do you know how Peabody is actually funded?

Dear Peabody Families,

Before we officially launch Peabody Proud 2026, we want to share something that continues to surprise many of us on the Foundation Board: how Peabody is funded and how important family support has been to the school we know today.

Peabody is a free public school and an independent charter. Charter status gives our school greater flexibility to make decisions about staffing, programs, and resources based on our students' needs. 

It also means our funding works differently from many public schools around us.

It costs roughly $11 million a year to educate nearly 800 Peabody students, about $13,900 per student before family fundraising. Nearly three out of every four dollars supports Peabody’s teachers, staff and their benefits.

Here’s the part we think every family should know: family fundraising is already part of Peabody’s annual budget.

For generations, Peabody families have helped sustain the smaller classes, credentialed teachers, academic support, music, dance, ceramics, PE and other programs our children benefit from today.

Our Peabody Proud goal is $200,000, less than 2% of our annual budget. These flexible dollars help Peabody continue investing directly in our students.

Families before us helped build the Peabody our children experience today. Now it’s our turn, with every family participating at whatever level works for them.

Warmly,
Peabody Charter School Foundation Board

Geoff Green — President 
Jennifer Zacharias — Vice President 
Erin Sanchez — Secretary 
Julia George — Treasurer 
Ashley Hollister 
Betsy Moyer 
Kylene Kramer 
Scott Reed 
Robin Gose 
Ian Hathaway 
Ydun Donahoe