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Latest News

  • P-H-M Third Graders Recognized as National Math Stars Nominees
  • Northpoint’s Jen Payne Recognized with P-H-M Teacher Impact Award
  • 2026 Running is Elementary Video and Photo Gallery
  • Northpoint Secretary/Treasurer Named 2026 Employee of the Year
  • Running is Elementary Parent Information
More News

Home » Academics » Page 2

P-H-M Board of School Trustees Appoints Jen Smoker to Fill Penn Township Seat

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

Jen Smoker awarding Grissom Scholarship to an 8th grade student (2023)
Jen Smoker awarding Grissom Scholarship to an 8th grade student (2023)

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

PHMEF Grant Award
PHMEF Grants Committee Chair Jen Smoker (2nd from right) seen here awarding Grissom Middle School with a PHMEF grant award in 2023

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

Northpoint ranked #1 Elementary School by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Northpoint is #1 out of Indiana’s 989 public elementary schools!

Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.

All of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”:

  • Northpoint #1  
  • Prairie Vista #2 
  • Horizon #37
  • Mary Frank #39
  • Bittersweet #94
  • Elm Road #172
  • Moran #175
  • Elsie Rogers #297
  • Madison #273
  • Meadow’s Edge #370
  • Walt Disney #385

Two of P-H-M’s middle schools were also recognized:

  • Discovery #3
  • Schmucker #53

Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools were also ranked, and Penn ranked #26.

The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 pre-K, elementary and middle schools nationwide for their rankings. The rankings use the same methodology for all included grade levels. For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students. Click here for more information on the methodology.

The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores on an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions. They reviewed data on 17,901 public high schools. Click here for more background information on their ranking system.

 

2025 Community Connections Fair

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, November 1st.

Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.

2025 Community Connections Fair

For any families that want to sign up to perform, please click here to fill out the Google form.

 
We can’t wait to see you there!

Drug Awareness Parent Community Meeting

P-H-M hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

woman in yellow & plaid jacketThe session was led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Northpoint Kindergartners Explore Science on the Farm at Amazing Acres

Northpoint Elementary kindergartners took learning on the road with a field trip to Amazing Acres, turning a day on the farm into hands-on lessons in science, STEM, and agriculture.

Students rotated through interactive stations that brought classroom concepts to life:

Physics in motion

From a kid-friendly zip line to balance bicycles and even playful pig races, students felt forces, speed, and motion in action while practicing observation and prediction.

Agriculture up close

Guides walked students through how a working farm operates—from crops and equipment to the people who keep things growing—building early understanding of where food comes from.

Animal husbandry

Children met and observed pigs, rabbits, chickens, and longhorns, learning how animals are cared for and why proper nutrition, shelter, and safety matter.

Water force (and duck races!)

At the always-popular duck races, students used flowing water to move rubber ducks down channels—an engaging way to experience water force and talk about cause and effect.

Teachers said the farm’s mix of movement, exploration, and real-world examples made the learning stick. Back in the classroom, students will build on the trip with reflection drawings, new vocabulary, and simple science connections.

Way to go, Northpoint! #PHMExcellence

Sign reads "a amazing acres".
Wooden train on display in a park.
Children playing in an inflatable bounce house.
Two people sitting on a red tractor in a field.
Child sitting in red tractor on farm.
Three children standing in a field of tall grass holding pumpkins.
Three children posing with pumpkins in a field.
Three children holding pumpkins in front of a trailer, posing for a picture.
Little girl sitting on a toy steering wheel in front of a wooden play structure.
Group of people posing in front of a corn maze on a farm.
Four children posing in front of a trailer filled with oranges.
Children playing on a wooden structure in an outdoor setting.
Children playing on a trampoline in an open field.
Two children on a slide in front of a red barn.
Five children in a field of pumpkins, posing for a picture.

 

This Friday, Aug. 29, 2025: P-H-M Community Tailgate Party

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

This Friday, Aug. 29, 2025: P-H-M Community Tailgate Party

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

Northpoint STARS Shine with 97.1% IREAD Pass Rate

Northpoint is starting the school year with cause for celebration—97.1% of our third graders passed IREAD in 2025, up from 95.4% in 2024. This success is a testament to our students living the STARS expectations: Safe, Trustworthy, Accountable, and Respectful.

“Our students put into practice the literacy foundations taught by P-H-M’s dedicated teachers, and their families reinforced that learning at home. I also thank our principals, administrators, and support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best and safest learning environments so our students could excel.” — Superintendent Dr. Heather Short

District-wide, 93.7% of P-H-M third graders passed IREAD, up from 86.8% in 2024—a 6.9-point increase, the largest gain in district history. P-H-M outperformed the state average of 87.3% by 6.4 points, helping Indiana achieve its largest single-year gain since IREAD began in 2013. 

Click here for more information on P-H-M’s overall 2025 IREAD district success.

Northpoint is ready to build on this momentum for another outstanding school year.

STEM Certified School

students looking at baby chicks

In May 2025, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) named Northpoint among the 16 newly named STEM Certified Schools. To receive this designation, Northpoint has certified teacher leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education!

Our school completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain certified Click here for more information on the IDOE’s STEM Certification process. Click here to view the materials we submitted for the IDOE’s review. 

The IDOE’s STEM Certification program recognizes schools committed to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom. STEM Certification exemplifies a highly innovative approach to education, employing a great deal of inquiry, project-based learning, community engagement, entrepreneurship, student-centered classrooms, integration into humanities and related arts and out-of-school STEM activities. For secondary schools in particular, earning STEM Certification requires heightened intention and coordination in terms of vision, scheduling and interdisciplinary collaboration. More than 100 schools statewide hold STEM Certification.

We also congratulate our fellow P-H-M elementary school, Elm Road, for receiving their re-certification after first being named a STEM Certified School in 2020.

P-H-M Students Excel on Spring 2025 ILEARN

Spring 2025 ILEARN Assessment Results

Outstanding Achievement

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) proudly shares the outstanding performance of its students on the Spring 2025 ILEARN assessment, as released by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). P-H-M students outperformed the state average by an impressive 20 percentage points in the percentage of students passing both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This achievement places P-H-M in the top 4% of public school corporations across Indiana (see the charts below).

“These results reflect the exceptional work of our teachers, students, and staff. We remain deeply committed to ensuring every child reaches their full potential, and this data shows that our efforts are paying off.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short

District-Wide Achievements

  • P-H-M has maintained its Top 4% ranking for a second consecutive year, a testament to the district’s commitment to academic excellence and the strategies that drive student success
  • Northpoint and Prairie Vista Elementary Schools are in the Top 10; Discovery Middle School is #3 in the state
  • P-H-M 8th grade Math performance is up 24% since the 2021 benchmark year, with a 28% variance over the state average
  • Among Indiana’s largest public school districts testing close to 5,000 students, P-H-M ranks #1 in the state for the percentage of Free and Reduced Lunch (F/R) students passing both ELA and Math
  • Penn High School moved up from #27 last year to #15 this year in SAT pass percentage among public high schools

“These achievements are not by accident. They are the result of intentional investments in teacher professional development and the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices. We are fortunate to have educators and staff who are deeply committed to supporting every learner.”

Dr. Heather Short

Indiana junior high school students are now required to take the SAT for graduation. The IDOE also released SAT results. Results from the Spring 2025 IREAD assessment are expected to be released in early fall, and P-H-M looks forward to sharing those outcomes as well.

Assessment Data by Grade Level

ILEARN Math Results
Metric Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
PHM 71% 65% 65% 52% 57% 63%
State 52% 50% 42% 40% 36% 35%
Variance +19% +15% +23% +12% +21% +28%
ILEARN ELA Results
Metric Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
PHM 60% 55% 64% 57% 56% 64%
State 41% 42% 41% 41% 38% 43%
Variance +19% +13% +23% +16% +18% +21%

Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker Receives Several Honors Upon Retirement

In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in the nation for school safety initiatives. Click here to read more about P-H-M student success achieved during Dr. Thacker’s tenure.

Dr. Thacker has had a remarkable 53-year career in education working in leadership roles across Indiana and Michigan. As the school year wrapped up and in gratitude for his many contributions to the field of education, Dr. Thacker has received several honors.

These five prestigious awards were conferred upon Dr. Thacker:

  • May 4, named IAPSS – District II Superintendent of the Year
  • May 9
    Honorary Degree from Ivy Tech
    Ivy Tech Community College presented him with an Honorary Degree in College and Community Service at their Commencement
  • May 9, Head Start Consortium gave him the “Making a Difference” award for his loyal dedication, unwavering commitment, and his indispensable support of Head Start’s mission at Head Start’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and Board Meeting
  • May 21
    Key to Mishawaka
    Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented him with a Key to the City and a proclamation declaring May 21st “Dr. Jerry Thacker Day”
  • May 30
    Circle of Corydon award
    State Senator Linda Rogers presented him with the Circle of Corydon award on behalf of herself and Governor Mike Braun. The award honors Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana, and who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by our state’s greatest citizens

Internally, P-H-M school principals, teachers, and students also wanted to thank Dr. Thacker for his years of service and dedication to the district. Several came up with meaningful ways to express their appreciation:

  • May 1, Penn High School Bands recognized him for his “caring leadership and service” at the Spring Concert
  • May 16
    Grissom send-off
    Grissom Middle School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
  • May 16
    Golden Hammer
    Penn High School Building Trades program presented him with a Golden Hammer for recognition of his Outstanding Support and Service 
  • May 22
    Bittersweet Send-off
    Bittersweet Elementary School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
  • May 27
    Walt Disney award
    Walt Disney Elementary School establishes the “Dr. Jerry Thacker Achievement Award” to recognize students who exemplify persistence, good citizenship, and positive competitiveness
  • May 30
    Schmucker Middle School Award
    Schmucker Middle School principal presented him with an Elevation Award for 53 years of service in education to students, teachers, and parents
  • June 2
    Prairie Vista Triangle of Success
    Prairie Vista retirement gift
    Prairie Vista Elementary students performed a “We are your Triangle of Success” presentation and gave him a planter with all the thumbprints of students (grades K-5) and staff to illustrate the impact he’s had on their lives
  • June 3
    Penn Band
    Retiring Penn Band Director Glenn Northern, leads the Symphonic Winds section of the Kingsmen Marching Band in the Penn High School Fight song outside Dr. Thacker’s office at the Educational Services Center. Click here to see the video on Facebook.

Before the end of the 2024-2025 school year came to a close, Dr. Thacker shared the video message below with P-H-M students, teachers, and families.

P-H-M Schools
  • Bittersweet Elementary School
  • Elm Road Elementary School
  • Elsie Rogers Elementary School
  • Horizon Elementary School
  • Madison Elementary School
  • Mary Frank Elementary School
  • Meadow's Edge Elementary School
  • Moran Elementary School
  • Northpoint Elementary School
  • Prairie Vista Elementary School
  • Walt Disney Elementary School
  • Discovery Middle School
  • Grissom Middle School
  • Schmucker Middle School
  • Penn High School
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50800 Cherry Rd, Granger, IN 46530
(574) 271-8598

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