For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 5,832 students in Peabody, MA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,688 private students). 78% of all K-12 students in Peabody, MA are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Peabody, MA are John E Burke, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and John E. Mccarthy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Peabody, MA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Peabody have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Massachusetts public schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Massachusetts public school average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Peabody, MA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
John E Burke
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
127 Birch Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5400
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5400
Grades: K-5
| 295 students
Rank: #22.
Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
485 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4500
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,420 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
John E. Mccarthy
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
76 Lake Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5625
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5625
Grades: PK-5
| 384 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
West Memorial
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
15 Bow Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5850
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5850
Grades: PK-5
| 277 students
Rank: #55.
South Memorial
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
16 Maple St Ext
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5700
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5700
Grades: PK-5
| 474 students
Rank: #66.
J Henry Higgins Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
85 Perkins Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4800
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4800
Grades: 6-8
| 1,283 students
Rank: #77.
Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
18 Irving Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5475
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5475
Grades: K-5
| 349 students
Rank: #88.
Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
27 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-6522
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-6522
Grades: 2-12
| 98 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Captain Samuel Brown
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
150 Lynn Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4100
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4100
Grades: K-5
| 376 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
William A Welch Senior
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
50 Swampscott Avenue
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5775
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5775
Grades: K-4
| 297 students
Rank: #1111.
Thomas Carroll
(Math: 24% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
60 Northend Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4200
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-4200
Grades: PK-5
| 579 students
Peabody, Massachusetts Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
22 Richard Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(781) 231-5021
Peabody, MA 01960
(781) 231-5021
Grades: PK
| 110 students
21 Johnson Street
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5550
Peabody, MA 01960
(978) 536-5550
Grades: K-5
| 338 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Peabody, MA?
The top ranked public schools in Peabody, MA include John E Burke, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and John E. Mccarthy.
How many public schools are located in Peabody?
11 public schools are located in Peabody.
What percentage of students in Peabody go to public school?
78% of all K-12 students in Peabody are educated in public schools (compared to the MA state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Peabody?
Peabody public schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Massachusetts public schools average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Peabody are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Peabody include: West Memorial vs. John E. Mccarthy, John E Burke vs. John E. Mccarthy, John E. Mccarthy vs. West Memorial
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.