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“These results reflect our teachers’ and students’ commitment to academic excellence. I am incredibly proud that our students outperformed the state across every grade and tested subject,” said P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “While the 2026 scores establish a new baseline, we are also seeing significant growth across P-H-M. That combination of high achievement and continued growth demonstrates how we are building on a culture of excellence.”
“At P-H-M, we’re focused on quality instruction and quality learning,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null. “Our educators are engaging students in intentional learning every day. Teachers continually review student data to refine instruction, identify where additional support is needed and ensure students are appropriately challenged. The strong gains we’re seeing, particularly in middle school ELA and Math, reflect the impact of effective instruction and the collaboration of our teachers across grade levels.” 
Event Details:
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.”
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.”
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
| 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% |
| 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% |
Affectionately known as the “heart and brains” of the building, Taylor was nominated by third grade teacher Molly O’Rear.
Her professionalism and attention to detail have earned her respect not only at Northpoint, but across the district. Through her work managing school finances and operations, Taylor collaborates closely with the Business Department and has provided valuable feedback to support the implementation of a new financial purchasing program. She is also a trusted resource for colleagues across multiple schools and frequently assists fellow secretaries and treasurers.
