P-H-M and Penn High School in the National Spotlight

Our first Kindergarten Kickoff, held on Friday, August 21, 2026, had a terrific turnout and tremendous community response.

The event was so touching it even garnered the attention of national network news!

A brief feature about our inaugural event was featured on NBC Nightly News on Saturday, September 5 at the end of the newscast as part of “There’s Good News Tonight” segment. Our portion was one of three stories highlighted as good news from across the country.

Click the link below watch our story …

 

Northpoint Students Continue Strong Performance with 96.9% Pass Rate on 2026 IREAD

Northpoint Elementary students continued their outstanding literacy performance on the 2026 IREAD assessment, achieving a 96.9% passing rate.

Northpoint’s results are 8.2 percentage points above Indiana’s statewide passing rate of 88.7% and place the school among P-H-M’s five elementary schools achieving pass rates of 95% or higher.

The 2026 results also demonstrate Northpoint’s consistency in literacy achievement. In 2025, 97.1% of Northpoint students passed IREAD, followed by 96.9% this year.

Across Penn-Harris-Madison, 94.7% of students passed IREAD in 2026, 6 percentage points higher than the state average. Ten of the district’s 11 elementary schools performed above the statewide passing rate.

“These results are a reflection of the incredible dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the partnership of our families,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “These accomplishments demonstrate what is possible when we maintain high expectations and provide students with the support they need.”

P-H-M continues to prioritize research-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading, providing educators with professional learning, instructional resources, and opportunities to collaborate around student data and effective instructional practices.

All P-H-M second grade students also participate in IREAD, providing an early indicator of whether students are on track to read proficiently by the end of third grade. In 2026, 72.1% of P-H-M second graders passed IREAD a year early.

Northpoint’s continued strong performance reflects P-H-M’s commitment to building on a culture of academic excellence and ensuring students have the foundational literacy skills needed for continued academic success.

By the Numbers

  • 96.9% — Northpoint 2026 IREAD pass rate
  • 8.2 percentage points — Northpoint performance above the state average
  • 95%+ — Northpoint has exceeded this mark for two consecutive years
  • 94.7% — P-H-M corporation-wide pass rate
  • 88.7% — Indiana statewide pass rate
  • 72.1% — P-H-M second graders passing IREAD

P-H-M Students Continue Strong Literacy Performance with 94.7% IREAD-3 Pass Rate

MISHAWAKA, IN —With the Indiana Department of Education’s release Tuesday, August 11 of 2026 IREAD-3 results, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Heather Short is proud to share that 94.7% of P-H-M students passed IREAD.

P-H-M’s corporation-wide pass rate increased over last school year (2025-2026) and is 6 percentage points higher than this year’s statewide overall passing rate of 88.7%.

Five P-H-M elementary schools achieved an outstanding 95% or higher passing rate, including one Title I school.

  • Prairie Vista Elementary: 98.8% pass rate
  • Horizon Elementary: 97.7% pass rate
  • Northpoint Elementary: 96.9% pass rate
  • Elsie Rogers Elementary: 96.4% pass rate (Title I school)
  • Bittersweet Elementary: 95.9% pass rate

Statewide, results show that 88.7% of Indiana’s third grade students demonstrated proficient reading skills on the IREAD assessment. This is an improvement of nearly 1.5 percentage points over results for the 2024-2025 school year, the second-largest single-year increase since the assessment began (click here for more information on state results in today’s IDOE news release).

Five other P-H-M elementary schools had pass rates above the State average, with four of those scoring 90% or higher, including three of P-H-M’s Title I schools: 

  • Moran Elementary: 94.8% pass rate (Title I school)
  • Walt Disney: 94.4% pass rate (Title I school)
  • Elm Road Elementary: 93.1% pass rate (Title I school)
  • Madison Elementary: 90.5% pass rate
  • Mary Frank: 88.9% pass rate

“These results are a reflection of the incredible dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the partnership of our families,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “I am especially proud of the growth we are seeing across our schools, including our Title I schools that have achieved a 90% or higher passing rate. These accomplishments demonstrate what is possible when we maintain high expectations and provide students with the support they need.”

P-H-M continues to prioritize research-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading, providing educators with professional learning, instructional resources, and opportunities to collaborate around student data and effective instructional practices.

The 2026 IREAD-3 results reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to building on a culture of academic excellence and ensuring every student develops the foundational literacy skills necessary for continued academic growth.

“We are proud of these results, but our work does not stop here,” Dr. Short added. “We will continue to use student data to identify opportunities for growth, strengthen instruction, and make sure every child has the opportunity to become a confident and capable reader.”

By the Numbers

  • 94.7% — P-H-M corporation-wide IREAD-3 passing rate
  • 6 percentage points — P-H-M performance above the state passing rate
  • 5 schools — Achieved a 95% or higher passing rate
  • 1 Title I school — Achieved a 95% or higher passing rate
  • 3 schools — Increased their passing rates by 6–8 percentage points compared to 2025
  • Year-over-year growth — P-H-M’s overall passing percentage has continued to increase since 2024
Name of Elementary School 2025 IREAD Pass Rate 2026 IREAD Pass Rate
Bittersweet 95.9% 95.9%

Elm Road

(Title I school)

 84.4% 93.1%

Elsie Rogers

(Title I school)

 94.6% 96.4% 
Horizon 100% 97.7%
Madison 84.2% 90.5%
Mary Frank 98.2% 88.9%

Meadow’s Edge

(Title I school)

 89.0%  86.0%

Moran

(Title I school)

 93.9% 94.8%
Northpoint 97.1% 96.9%
Prairie Vista 98.9% 98.8%

Walt Disney

(Title I school)

 86.2% 94.4%


All second grade students participate in the IREAD assessment – a tactic that has already proven successful at providing educators and families an early indicator of whether a student is on-track to read by the end of third grade. 

P-H-M’s second grade results were an impressive 72.1% of students passing in 2026.

Community Tailgate, Friday August 21, 2026

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 against Valparaiso. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:30 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 to buy your $6.00 Meal Ticket.

An advertisement for a tailgate event at a high school football game on Friday, August 21st from 6:00 to 9:30pm

Do you have an incoming kindergartner or a Penn senior? 

P-H-M Education Foundation is hosting a special “Kindergarten Kickoff” before this year’s football game!

The Class of 2027 will welcome the future Class of 2039 into the P-H-M family by meeting kindergartners on the 50-yard line of the Kingsmen football field and presenting them with black and gold pom-poms.

Click here for more details and to sign your student up to participate.

Kicking off the Inaugural “Kindergarten Kickoff”

This school year Penn High School will launch a new tradition celebrating the connection between Penn’s incoming Senior Class of 2027 and the Kindergarten Class of 2039.

At Penn’s first home football game on Friday, August 21 after the Community Tailgate (click here for more details on this event) and before the Penn-Valpo game, incoming kindergartners will be welcomed to the P-H-M family during our inaugural Kindergarten Kickoff celebration.

As part of this special event, Penn seniors will meet the kindergartners at the 50-yard line and pass them black and gold pom-poms, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as future Kingsmen and Lady Kingsmen.

This simple but meaningful moment represents the tradition, pride, and community that make Penn High School and P-H-M special. 

Info for Kindergarten Families

Click here to register your kindergartner to participate.

 

Show your Penn Pride by ordering your student an official Future Kingsmen t-shirt by clicking this link.

 

Three young girls holding pom poms, standing on a street next to a car and a truck.Event Details:

  • Gates open at 5:30 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. 
  • Kindergarten and younger siblings are FREE and do NOT need a ticket!
    Purchase older student and adult tickets online for $7.00 ($8.00 at the gate) by clicking here.
  • Community Tailgate is 5:30-7:00 p.m. You can feed each member of your family for just $6.00! 
  • Check in for Kindergarten Kickoff at the PHM Education Foundation Table by 6:00 p.m.
  • Pick up your child’s t-shirt (if purchased)
  • Enjoy the festivities and connect with other P-H-M families
  • One adult should stay with their child until they walk onto the field and will remain in the end zone to meet them afterwards
  • Get your cell phones ready to take pictures of your student participating in the Kindergarten Kickoff!

Stay for the game:

After the Community Tailgate and the Kindergarten Kickoff event, families are encouraged to stay and cheer on the Kingsmen as they take on Valparaiso in their home opener.

Info for Penn Seniors Class of 2027

High school students in cap and gown walking near and waving to younger students

Seniors, click here to sign up.

Space may be limited, so we encourage you to register early.

2026 Running is Elementary Video and Photo Gallery

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%

Running is Elementary Parent Information

2026 Running is Elementary will be held Monday, May 4 (Rain Date Wednesday, May 6) at Elm Road Elementary School, 59400 Elm Rd, Mishawaka.

Timeline of Events:

  • 2:50 p.m. – Introductions
  • 3:00 p.m. – 5th gr. Girls Race
  • 3:20 p.m. – 5th gr. Boys Race
  • 3:40 p.m. – 4th gr. Girls Race
  • 4:00 p.m. – 4th gr. Boys Race

Parking Information:

  • Elm Road will be filled first before using Grissom Middle School, 13881 Kern Rd., Mishawaka
  • Family/Spectator parking at the bottom of Elm Road School as space allows. This area will be primarily be for principals, coaches, and volunteers

ALL Runners need to be picked up no later than 4:30 at Elm Road. Runners may leave following completion of their grade’s run by checking out with the coach. 

RAIN DATE: Principals will be notified by Noon on Monday and information will be posted on elementary schools’ website along with P-H-M & Education Foundation website PHMEF.org 

Teacher Job Fair on March 26

We’re Accepting Applications for the
2026-27 School Year

Teacher Job Fair

Thursday, March 26, 2026

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Penn High School Fieldhouse
12641 McKinley Highway, Mishawaka

Teachers Click Here

Click to learn more about P-H-M and why you should join our family.

 

2026 Instrument Selection Night

All incoming sixth grade students and families are encouraged to consider participating band or orchestra in middle school by learning an instrument. Don’t know how to play? No problem!

Our band and orchestra teachers, with the assistance of Penn High School Fine Arts Department, facilitates Instrument Selection Nights to help students choose.

Discovery’s will be Monday, February 23th and Tuesday, February 24th

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Educational research shows that learning to play an instrument helps students experience team building, nurture creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills–not to mention learning presentation skills by participating in live concerts and performances.

Here’s what you need to begin your student’s musical journey:

STEP 1: Schedule your Appointment for an Instrument Selection Night by going to: https://sites.google.com/phm.k12.in.us/phmisn/home

  • You must Schedule an appointment BEFORE You Attend an Instrument Selection Night. Please complete the google form using full contact information for US Postal mailing and email addresses and phone numbers for all parents/guardians.
  • At least one parent/guardian must attend the appointment with the incoming 6th grade student.
  • Please select 1-3 instruments that your student would be interested in trying while at Instrument Selection Night. Arriving with a list of instruments that are appealing will help your appointment move along more smoothly. (please limit your list to a maximum of 3 instruments)
  • Please note that some instrument sections fill quickly. Once filled, that instrument is no longer available for selection. To ensure that your student gets their preferred instrument choice, you are encouraged to attend an
    earlier selection night and time.

STEP 2: Attend the Instrument Selection Night

Discovery’s will be Monday, February 23th and Tuesday, February 24th

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

STEP 3: Obtain Your Instrument

  • Each student must have an instrument in good playing condition for the first day of beginning summer classes. Quinlan & Fabish Music representatives are available to help you set up rental at Instrument Selection Night or you may obtain an instrument from another vendor. Teachers are happy to point you in the right direction when looking for another source for instrument rental or purchase.
  • PLEASE use caution if you deal with a vendor other than Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. (Ask the vendor – What is your recourse if the instrument needs repair or is not playable? What is your return policy?) We would
    advise against purchasing an instrument online. Many instruments purchased online do not work well and lead to frustrated students. Reputable music repair stores will not repair poor quality instruments, as they cannot
    guarantee repair or their workmanship.
  • If you wish to purchase an instrument, we would recommend the following brands:
    • String instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass): Eastman, Sheryl and Roth, Knilling, and Yamaha brands. Please have your child sized for the instrument. Playing on the correct size instrument will ensure their success and is crucial for injury-free playing.
    • Woodwind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone): Armstrong, Bach, Buffet, Conn, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Haynes, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha.
    • Brass Instruments (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone): Bach, Conn, Eastman, Holton, King, and Yamaha.
    • Percussion Instruments: Specific equipment requirements will be shared for percussion at selection night appointments.
    • Again, the band and orchestra directors are happy to help you find an instrument for your student. Please contact your school’s director in advance of the first beginning summer class.
    • If your family has serious financial concerns, ask us about instruments available for use from the P-H-M
      Foundation.

STEP 4: Choose and Sign-up for a Summer Beginner Class Time

  • Classes TENTATIVELY begin Monday, July 20 and end Friday, August 7th
  • Classes are Monday – Friday and are 1 hour in length.

The first crucial music lessons take place in small, like-instrument classes. Students receive individualized attention to set proper playing habits for future success. Please contact your student’s middle school band or orchestra teacher if they need to miss any part of the summer classes. The teacher will connect you with an approved private teacher so your student stays current with their class. Private lessons to make-up for lost class time should be completed by the first day of school and are at the expense of the family.

Choose from these Summer Class Times:

  • Flute: 8am, 10am
  • Oboe: 8am
  • Clarinet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Alto Saxophone: 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Trumpet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • French Horn: 8am
  • Trombone: 8am, 10am, 11am
  • Baritone: 9am, 11am
  • Percussion: 8am, 9am, 10am
  • Violin: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Viola: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
  • Cello: 9am, 10am, 11am
  • String Bass: 8am

STEP 5: Select Band or Orchestra as your 6th grade music choice

When scheduling your 6th grade classes, select Band or Orchestra for your 6th grade music choice.

Miscellaneous Information

  • You will receive a letter for your beginning band or orchestra student in May.
    In late-May, a letter will be mailed to your home verifying your instrument selection, your Beginner Summer Class time, and teacher. This letter will also include carpooling information. If you have not received this mailing by June 12th, please contact Mr. Zac Coudret at zcoudret@phm.k12.in.us
  • Band and Orchestra Classes at Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker Middle Schools
    The P-H-M middle school music choices of Band, Orchestra, and Choir meet as curricular classes within the regular school day. More than two-thirds of all P-H-M middle school students participate in one of these three courses.

    • The band and orchestra schedules do not conflict with after school or before school activities.
    • Participation in instrumental music does not limit a student’s involvement in school sports, extra-curricular activities or academics.
  • Band and Orchestra Directors at each P-H-M Middle School:

PHMEF Grant for Elementary Fidget Tools Featured on Local TV

In 2024, Penn High School Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh and students came up with an idea on how to help students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Their idea was to use 3D printers to create and produce fidget tools for students. The key to making these tools more accessible and quickly available to the elementary students who needed them was to put a 3D printer at all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

close up of student playing with fidget toolsFortunately, P-H-M teachers and staff members can apply for classroom grants  through the P-H-M Education Foundation to pay for innovative ideas like this. Marsh was awarded a $5,000 grant to bring his idea to fruition. Penn High School students also benefit on this project because Marsh’s Robotics students not only install the 3D printers at the elementary schools, but they also help Marsh manage the project.

This inspiring story was recently featured on WSBT “Operation Education” highlighting the program in action at Elsie Rogers Elementary School where Marsh’s son Cooper attends third grade. Elsie Rogers was highlighted as of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools with the 3D printers. Click to watch the story below on WSBT’s YouTube channel.