Record-Breaking Penn Homecoming Raises $152,000 for P-H-M Education Foundation

Penn High School’s Homecoming weekend (October 2–3) was one for the record books! With approximately 12,000 families and community members joining Friday’s festivities and more than 2,000 students attending Saturday’s Homecoming Dance, the celebration raised a record-breaking $152,000 for the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF).

What began as a traditional high school celebration has grown into a community-wide event bringing together students, families, alumni and supporters from across all 15 Penn-Harris-Madison schools.

Friday’s festivities kicked off with a parade featuring Penn’s Homecoming Court, student clubs, the Kingsmen Marching Band and representatives from all 11 elementary and three middle schools. Sponsored by Culver’s, the parade followed a new route this year.

Click here to see the full photo gallery.

The popular Fun Zone, sponsored by P-H-M Board of School Trustees Member Gary Fox and his wife Tammy, offered more family-friendly activities than ever before, while the Community Expo featured three times as many vendors as previous years.

Boy riding mechanical bull ride at PHM Homecoming Fun Zone  Crowds at PHM/Penn/PHMEF Homecoming Expo

The excitement continued with Penn’s 44–0 football victory over Elkhart, followed by a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Laidig Systems.

Saturday’s Homecoming Dance also set an attendance record, welcoming 400 more students than ever before.

Fundraising records were shattered as well. The Foundation’s Silent Auction generated more than $25,000 alone, contributing to the weekend’s historic fundraising total, which surpassed previous Homecoming totals of $110,000–$120,000.

The record-breaking success reflects the generosity of sponsors, volunteers, families and community partners whose support helps PHMEF expand educational opportunities for P-H-M students.

All of the proceeds Benet the PHM Education Foundation whose mission is to support excellence in education in all 15 P-H-M schools.

 

P-H-M in the State’s Top 5% with Spring 2026 ILEARN results

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) proudly shares the outstanding performance of its students on the Spring 2026 ILEARN assessment, as released by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). P-H-M students outperformed the state average again by 21.5 percentage points in English Language Arts (ELA) and 18.2 points in Mathematics. This achievement places P-H-M in the top 5% of public school corporations passing both ELA and math across Indiana (click here to see the charts below of scores broken down by grade).

PHM Superintendent Dr. Heather Short sitting with an elementary female student coloring“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.”

Performing at these high levels is a testament to the district’s commitment to academic excellence and the strategies that drive student success. Out of Indiana public schools that passed both ELA and Math, Northpoint and Prairie Vista Elementary Schools are in the Top 10; and Discovery Middle School is #2.

P-H-M students are consistently outperforming statewide peers across grade levels and subject areas. District Grade 8 ELA pass rate is 71% in 2026, while the state is 44%. That puts P-H-M 27 points above the state. Grade 8 math remains exceptionally strong as well: 58% passed versus 34% statewide, a 24-point advantage. 

P-H-M has double-digit advantages over the state across all tested subjects, ELA, Math and Science. In 2026, P-H-M’s variance over the state are the following:

  • +27 Grade 8 ELA
  • +24 Grade 8 math
  • +24 Biology
  • +23 Grade 5 ELA
  • +22 Grade 6 ELA 
  • +21 Grade 7 ELA
  • +20 Grade 6 Science 

The district’s Free and Reduced Lunch (F/R) student population, which now exceeds 34%, continues to demonstrate notable progress. Among Indiana’s largest public school districts testing over 5,000 students, P-H-M ranks #1 in the state for the percentage of F/R students passing both ELA and Math.

Asst. Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null with Mary Frank Elementary School female student on the first day of school“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.” 

Beginning in spring 2022, Indiana junior high school students are required to take the SAT for graduation. Among high schools testing over 500 students, Penn High School’s pass percentage ranks #8 in the state. For the first time since the IDOE began tracking SAT scores, Penn High School’s pass percentage was 20% above the state average.

Penn High School students discussing a class assignment

Penn High School SAT Performance

Beginning in spring 2022, Indiana junior high school students are required to take the SAT for graduation. Among high schools testing over 500 students, Penn High School’s pass percentage ranks #8 in the state. For the first time since the IDOE began tracking SAT scores, Penn High School’s pass percentage was 20% above the state average.

 

 

2026 ILEARN Math Scores

  Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
PHM 68% 68% 63% 55% 54% 58%
State 52% 52% 42% 40% 36% 34%
Variance +16% +16% +21% +15% +18% +24%

 

2026 ILEARN ELA Scores

  Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
PHM 57% 61% 65% 63% 63% 71%
State 41% 42% 42% 41% 42% 44%
Variance +16% +19% +23% +22% +21% +27%

 

2026 ILEARN Science Scores

  Grade 4 Grade 6
PHM 63% 61%
State 44% 41%
Variance +19% +20%

 

2026 ILEARN Social Studies Scores

  Grade 5
PHM 63%
State  47%
Variance +16%

 

2026 ILEARN High School Biology

PHM 71%
State 47%
Variance +24%

 

The 2026 ILEARN results represent the first year that all students in grades 3–8 participated in Indiana’s new through-year assessment model (ILEARN Checkpoints), which focuses on a streamlined set of prioritized standards. As a result, these scores establish a new baseline for Indiana and the IDOE is not comparing the results to previous years. 

Discovery Middle School Students Learn About U.S. Constitution from St. Joseph County Magistrate Judge

A classroom setting with students seated at desks and a teacher presenting at the front.Seventh grade students at Discovery Middle School celebrated Constitution Day with a special visit from St. Joseph County Superior Court Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Hardtke, bringing their lessons about the U.S. Constitution and judicial branch to life.

During the visit, Magistrate Judge Hardtke spoke with students about the U.S. Constitution, the judicial system and the role of local courts in the community. She also shared insight into her work as a magistrate judge and the responsibility of applying the law fairly, impartially and consistently.

Students learned how the Constitution guides the work of the courts and protects the rights of citizens. They also had the opportunity to ask Judge Hardtke questions and connect what they have been studying in their seventh grade history classes to the work happening every day in the St. Joseph County court system. A classroom scene with a young man in camouflage clothing waving from the front row, sitting at a desk with other students,

The Constitution Day visit is one example of how Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation teachers connect classroom instruction with real-world learning experiences and community resources.

P-H-M thanks Magistrate Judge Hardtke for sharing her time and experience with Discovery Middle School students! #PHMExcellence

P-H-M Students Learn, Reflect and Remember 25 Years After 9/11

Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, P-H-M students learned about the events of that day, honoring the lives lost and reflecting on the heroes who stepped forward to help.

Across the district, elementary, middle and high school teachers led age-appropriate lessons to help students understand the significance of 9/11 and why it remains important to remember.

At the elementary level, students are learning about September 11 through the stories of the heroes and helpers who emerged that day. One class used a student-friendly presentation to learn about the events before creating books highlighting several of the heroes of 9/11. Students discussed the people they helped and connected those stories to the heroes and helpers in their own lives.

P-H-M middle school students learned not only what happened on September 11, but also how the events continue to have an impact on our country and world 25 years later.

At Penn High School, students in an AP English and U.S. History Seminar course took a deeper look at the historical significance of the attacks. Lessons included watching historical video footage, hearing eye witness and first responders first hand accounts of that tragic day. Teachers shared their own memories of that day. Students had the opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts with the class. 

Penn students also had a role in helping our community commemorate the anniversary. Penn High School’s student media program, Penn News Network (PNN), produced a special livestream of St. Joseph County Police Department’s annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Everwise Freed Field to honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. 

Watch an archived video of the PNN livestream:
https://youtube.com/live/ek83TMa3ndA?feature=share

Through classroom lessons, conversations, reflection and remembrance, P-H-M educators and students helped ensure that the lessons and stories of September 11 are never forgotten.

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 …

 

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.

Discovery Students Top Finishers in MathCON

Congratulations to all Discovery Middle School MathCON finalists!

On May 23rd, 10 Discovery students traveled to Chicago to compete in the MathCON Nationals. Roger Zhou was named the National Champion for all 6th graders! Ayaansh Yadav and Ted Wang both earned Honorable Mention.

All together, Discovery placed 2nd overall nationally in the 6th grade division!

Two people standing on stage at an event. A man in a suit holding a plaque and a boy in a white shirt wearing a medal around

Congratulations to all of these students and to their teachers:

  • Leo Guo (6th)
  • Tanqi Li (6th)
  • Liam McNulty (8th)
  • Vishank Ramidid (6th)
  • Ted Wang (6th)
  • Daniel Wei (6th)
  • Ayaansh Yadav (6th)
  • Alan Zhang (6th)
  • Jeffery Zhang (8th)
  • Roger Zhou (6th)

Other P-H-M students from Northpoint Elementary School and Penn High School also performed very well. Two Northpoint students earned the highest scores in the state for 4th and 5th grades and also placed at the National Competition and received Honorable Mentions; and two Penn students earned the top scores in 9th and 10th grades.

Erin Randolph Wins Spring 2026 Impact Award

A group of people posing together in a classroom setting, likely educators or staff members, standing in front of a bulletinPenn-Harris-Madison Schools is proud to recognize outstanding educators whose instruction leads to meaningful academic growth for students.

This semester, Discovery Middle School 7th Grade Language Arts teacher Erin Randolph was surprised with a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award after her students achieved the highest overall growth in the district for Grade 7 ELA from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 3. Her students demonstrated an impressive growth of 84 points, outperforming all other Grade 7 ELA classes district-wide.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Discovery Middle School Principal Elizabeth Cunha surprised Erin and her students with the recognition, celebrating the connection between high-quality instruction and student achievement. The P-H-M Teacher Impact Award is presented each semester to teachers whose students show the greatest academic growth, highlighting excellence in teaching and learning across the district. Group of students posing together in a school building.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for providing the beautiful engraved awards that the teachers keep in their classrooms as a reminder of what they and their students accomplished.

Click to see the full photo gallery in Canto.

Discovery Middle School Bands Receives ISSMA All-Music Award

The Discovery Middle School Band is a recipient of the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) All-Music Award for the 2025-2026 school year.

The All-Music Award is awarded each year to schools that have demonstrated excellence across the entire spectrum of the events offered by ISSMA.

Congratulations to the talented young musicians and music staff for their outstanding musical accomplishments this year!

ISSMA will be presenting the Discovery Band with a special banner to display in recognition of these achievements.

 

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.