Watch the National Blue Ribbon Ceremony, live from Washington, D.C.!

Northpoint principal Diane Wirth and teacher Michelle Bogart are in Washington, D.C. to accept the National Blue Ribbon School award on behalf of the Northpoint School Community.  

While the recognition and related events are spread out over two days, the official awards ceremony takes place today (Tuesday, Nov. 8).  

Use this link to watch live streaming of the 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony, scheduled to run from 12:30 p.m. – to 4:00 p.m. (ET).  

If you are able, keep an eye on your screen and be ready to send up a cheer when you see Mrs. Wirth in the spotlight! 

We hope to post photos and video later, so check back for that as well as a Special Congressional Proclamation to be made by Senator Joe Donnelly. 

Northpoint Named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School

U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. announced today at 1:00 p.m. EST that Northpoint Elementary School is among the 329 schools (eight in Indiana) named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.

Principal Diane Wirth called an all-school assembly shortly after the announcement was made nationally to surprise all the students, teachers and staff with the good news. Students celebrated by singing and dancing the Northpoint School Song.

This makes the second time in six years that the Penn-Harris-Madison Four Star School has been recognized with this national honor; the first award was given in 2010. Northpoint has a strong track record of maintaining high standards and helping their students achieve academic success. Nationally, Northpoint is ranked #27 (among 70,000 schools) in the 2016 list of “50 Best American Public Elementary Schools” by TheBestSchools.org.

“The belief that ‘It takes a village,’ is truly understood and applied at Northpoint,” said Wirth.  “Our student population is a snapshot of the world’s diversity and culture. We celebrate these unique differences and teach our students to value and respect all. Our success is tied to the strong partnership formed between students, teachers, and parents. Northpoint embodies this ‘Triangle of Success,’ Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s formula for student achievement.”

“Today’s award is an affirmation for Northpoint and P-H-M School Corporation that our formula for success works,” said Penn Harris Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “The students are the focus of our Triangle. Their success is possible because they are encouraged and taught by excellent teachers and supported by their parents and families.”

Recognized as an Exemplary High Performing Blue Ribbon School, Northpoint teachers consistently instill a can-do attitude in students. Using formative assessments, teachers are able to pinpoint the needs of each child. Teaching is data-driven and infused with high expectations. Northpoint boasts a well-rounded education where the arts and music programs enrich the students’ experiences.

Nine National Blue Ribbons have been awarded to P-H-M Schools. The tally includes Penn High School in 1994, 1995 and 2001; Discovery Middle School in 2006 and 2013; Prairie Vista in 1996 and 2015; and Northpoint Elementary School in 2010 and 2016.

The Department of Education will honor 279 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony at in Washington, DC to be held on Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8, 2016. In its 34-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on more than 7,500 of America’s schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

All schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

  • Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.
     

The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated each year.

First Day of Kindergarten

Thursday, Aug. 25 was the first day of school for P-H-M’s littlest students … kindergartners!

District wide, there are nearly 800 kindergartners in all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

This year Northpoint has 93 new little shining “STARS!”

All of our teachers were so pleased by this year’s kindergarten class. All the students are quick learners, well behaved, polite, funny and of course … cute!

Scroll through the pictures below to see how they spent their first day! You can also check out our district photo gallery of the first day of kindergarten.

Back to School Information

 

Elementary student on first day of school

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.

The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 for grades 1 – 12.

  • All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  
  • Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 21st.

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. MARK CALENDAR & ATTEND! 

  • Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 11. Check your school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. 
  • All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 14th. Check the school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
  • Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
    • Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2025-26 School Year! 

CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER

REGISTERING STUDENTS

  • Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 4, 2025. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
  • Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.  

BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS

  • Back to School packet & information sheets
  • Parent/guardians will sign these three forms in ParentSquare:
    • Photo Consent
    • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
    • Handbook Certification   
  • These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
    • CHIRP Release
    • Chromebook packet
    • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school
  • Back to School Info Sheets

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

SCHOOL CALENDARS

  • Here is the SY 2025-26 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
  • All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to view a PDF version.
  • Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
  • Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

  • All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.  

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES

  • Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations. 
  • Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
  • Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school. 
  • Click here for the forms administering medications at school
  • Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services 

TRANSPORTATION

  • School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
  • Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
  • Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
  • Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.

FOOD SERVICE

PARENTSQUARE

  • Penn-Harris-Madison uses ParentSquare to send urgent alerts, such as school closings and delays.
  • Principals and teachers also use it for noncurricular school and classroom communications.
  • Click here for instructions on setting up your account.
  • Once your account is set up, families can chose their preferred mode of communication for non-urgent notifications–app, text, email, phone. You can also chose to have all communications automatically translated to your preferred first language. Click here for details on how to personalize your account and check your notification settings.

CLOSINGS/DELAYS PROCEDURES

 

PHM's Triangle of SuccessPenn-Harris-Madison’s culture of excellence, what we call #PHMExcellence, is built upon the “Triangle of Success”– linking students, teachers, and parents for the the best outcome for students. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!

PARENTS Click here for ways to stay informed, as well getting connected and volunteering.