Fox Talks: Learn. Connect. Engage.
September 22, 2026
Understanding October Count & FHM Funding
At our September CSN meeting, Mallory Hamilton, FHM Financial Manager, shared an important overview of how October Count directly impacts funding for Free Horizon Montessori. October Count is the annual official student headcount used to determine public-school funding, and approximately 83% of FHM’s annual funding—an estimated $3.6 million this year—is dependent on the October 1 student count. Each Jeffco student represents roughly $11,700 in per-pupil funding, making student attendance and accurate enrollment especially important for FHM as a charter school. Mallory also discussed Student Benefits funding and how qualifying families can help bring additional funding directly to FHM.
She also highlighted the impact of CSN’s recent $25,000 donation to FHM, which is supporting student meals and field trips, staff supplies, school-wide events, updated charter marketing materials, and Grand Re-Opening events.
Please view Mallory’s full presentation below to learn more about October Count, Student Benefits, and how these funding sources support our students, staff, and school community.
Another important piece of the funding puzzle student benefits funding, formerly known as FRL (Free and Reduced Lunch).
Students who qualify for student benefits have all mandatory fees waived.
This year, the Colorado State Legislature voted to allocate funding directly to schools whose students qualify for student benefits and who have confirmed enrollment for those students.
This differs from previous years when school districts, not schools, received this funding and dispersed it based on district averages.