Peabody Elementary School

My children have been at Peabody for 5 years. I have always been active as a parent volunteer in the classroom. In the past 2 years I have become more involved with PTO efforts and in going to PTO meetings giving me an in-depth perspective on the challenges facing the Principal and the teachers with budget cuts and transient families. There is great diversity in the children ability-wise (from special ed to gifted/talented programs) socioeconomically and culturally. I have great respect for the Principal's and teachers' professionalism and care in providing the best learning environment for children of all abilities. Parents don't always realize how many needs and issues the administration faces in making decisions and that it always has to follow the LPS guidelines (re the security concerns of previous raters - Peabody follows LPS standards for security). Any issues that have needed adressing in my children's classes have been solved with care. The Principal is not always warm and fuzzy but she most certainly cares deeply about the students and their best learning environment. Finally the parents are very involved. Peabody has a wonderful caring community.

I chose to enroll my two children at Peabody last year after extensive research of the other schools available to us. Our home school Franklin as well as Sandburg and Lenski seemed comparable academically but the class ratios were much higher. My son's kindergarten teacher was the best teacher we have ever had and I think likely the best we will ever have. Our principal Mrs. Ryan is thoughtful and truly cares about the students and knows them by name. The parental involvement is outstanding and overall feeling of the school one of a family atmosphere. There is no higher or lower "class" socially and the kids are inclusive. The resources are more than most schools have anymore and the campus is huge. We had the opportunity to switch to Littleton Academy but I felt my children were getting a better education at Peabody ane more attention from the teachers than they would were the class sizes larger. 19 children in a kindergarten or first grade class allows for more one on one time and flexibility within the classroom to address the children who are on the high or the low end of the class. 5280 knew what they were doing when they rated Peabody a Great school in their magazine.

We absolutely love Peabody. We have one student in 1st grade and another starting next year. I don't quite understand the rating of 7 as the school rates 8 in most categories with a few scattered 7's and a 6 but I give it a 10 ) Our teachers have been excellent and Principal Ryan is an excellent administrator. I don't think the absorption of Ames students has hurt the quality of education one bit. The class sizes are still some of the lowest. Parent involvement at this school is very high. All the teachers and administrators are very accessible via phone email and individually. I'm sure there is the occasional upset parent but I think the norm would be a high level of parental satisfaction. PANTHER PRIDE!!!

Our family researched our options and chose to go to Peabody Elementary over both our neighborhood school (which has higher test scores and ratings) and the high-achieving charter school. Peabody is exceptionally accommodating and welcoming. Additionally this school is more innovative and less status quo with smaller class sizes and a laser-sharp focus on education. The "personal service" we have received there is excellent - from the front office and paraprofessionals to the teachers and administration. We could not be happier with our decision.

Peabody is a great school. We optionally enrolled and have had the very best experience all around. The teachers are dedicated and competent. The principal is very involved and accessible. She makes time for the kids and the parents. She is alwys very visible. The school stll has low class sizes and the education is top quality! The also have an excellent child care program.

My kids have attended Peabody for 3 years now and I find the teachers to be excellent. Unfortunately this school year because of funding in Littleton another elementary school was integrated into it. This has caused over crowding and stretched the resources they had to the maximum and I'm afraid it's time to move to another school district. The school has always been "middle class blue collar" but this past year it is going down hill with more minorities moving into this area. I am a professional and have tried to speak to the principal on several occasions about concerns and have been dismissed even before expressing my views. It's pretty evident she won't listen to parents on issues concerning their own kids. She has never given my wife and I a smile or said a word of encouragement even though our son has won a certain award every year he has been there. We like the area but she has always put a bad taste in our mouth even though most teachers teaching our kids have always been good. When we encountered one bad teacher and wanted to talk to her about it that was when we were dismissed and not heard. Pretty evident the teachers union runs this school.

The teachers are wonderful the principal however is less than desirable. When a parent asked her about a school security topic she essentially dismissed the concern. Budget/funding has also forced the school to take measures that it doesn't seem well equipped and prepared to handle. I feel it's highly compromising the safety and education of the children at the school. I'm disappointed as I've heard great things from parents about this school but the direction it is heading doesn't seem favorable for us and I question the principal's leadership. It's a disservice to the great teachers and students at the school.

Our son has attended Peabody for 3 yrs - fantastic teachers a skillful and competent principal a strong Gifted & Talented teacher and a wide range of students make Peabody a great school!

This is why we moved to this neighborhood! Great teachers that are quick to respond to concerns and help the kids acquire the skills necessary to solve their own problems. All of the teachers encourage personal responsibility. Wonderful music program that includes one program per grade per year! Weekly computer classes integrate technology with what the homeroom teacher is covering. Wide variety of after school activities are offered (they can be expensive though).Very high parent involvement.

Great school small class size very low teacher turnover and a wonderful environment. Very high parent involvement.

I find not enough time on Math and reading compared to computer and recess