P-H-M Students Excel on Spring 2025 ILEARN
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 once again 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,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “We remain deeply committed to ensuring every child reaches their full potential, and this data shows that our efforts are paying off.”
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. 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 #3 in the state.
A closer analysis of the data shows strong gains across grade levels and student groups. Middle school students, in particular, demonstrated significant improvement in math, based on the state’s 2021 benchmark. P-H-M 8th grade Math performance is up 24% since the benchmark year and now the variance over the state average is 28%.
The district’s Free and Reduced Lunch (F/R) student population, which now exceeds 30%, continues to demonstrate notable progress. 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 F/R students passing both ELA and Math.
“These achievements are not by accident,” added Dr. Short. “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. Among public high schools in pass percentage, Penn High School moved up from #27 last year, to #15 this year.
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.
ILEARN Math
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
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
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
Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented him with a Key to the City and a proclamation declaring May 21st “Dr. Jerry Thacker Day”
- May 30
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 Middle School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways - May 16
Penn High School Building Trades program presented him with a Golden Hammer for recognition of his Outstanding Support and Service - May 22
Bittersweet Elementary School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways - May 27
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 principal presented him with an Elevation Award for 53 years of service in education to students, teachers, and parents - June 2
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
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.
Recommendations for Asst. Superintendent and Dir. of Professional Development


Dr. Dean-Null began her educational career as a teacher at Discovery after graduating from Bethel University. Dr. Dean-Null taught at Discovery for 10 years. During that time she took a sabbatical and taught in Ansan, South Korea for a year. While at Discovery, Dr. Dean-Null became a top finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year award. With a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, she served as assistant principal of Grissom, principal of Walt Disney, followed by principal of Schmucker before becoming Director of Professional Development and Student Learning. Dr. Dean-Null has a passion for leadership development and has coordinated educational programs abroad for over a decade and presented at educational forums worldwide. She is currently enrolled in Learning Forward’s national Academy and will graduate in June of 2026. Lavon’s commitment to education extends beyond her district role; she shares her expertise at state and national conferences. She is always striving to foster communities of high-achieving learners through continuous growth initiatives, and will be the perfect fit for the next Assistant Superintendent of P-H-M.

Dr. Higginson has spent the last two years as principal of Walt Disney Elementary School and has strengthened student and staff learning through multiple avenues, including being selected to participate in the Indiana Department of Education’s noteworthy “Get Your Teach On” program. She was most recently honored as Indiana’s District II Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals and holds her Ph.D. from Purdue University in educational leadership. Before coming to Penn-Harris-Madison, she served as the District Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and as an elementary principal at Elkhart Community Schools. She also served at both the elementary and middle school levels in the South Bend Community School Corporation. She will bring a wealth of assets to her new role at Central Office.
RaiseRight
School Trips for FREE!
2025-2026
Before you know it, your child may have the awesome opportunity to travel in middle school to Washington, DC in 8th grade, or Europe and/or Asia in 7th/8th grade. The cost of the DC trip is approximately $1,146, but the PTO runs a fundraiser that can help get your child there or on another school-sponsored trip! Using RaiseRight, the average Discovery family earns $25/month, which can almost completely cover the cost of the 8th Grade Trip to Washington, DC during the time that you have at DMS to participate in RaiseRight. In the last 12 years, DMS families have purchased over $2,815,000 worth of gift cards and earned $193,000 in FREE money!
What is RaiseRight?
A way to fundraise by using gift cards where you’re already shopping. It’s easy and rewarding! How Does it Work?
Buy physical gift cards, eGift cards, and/or reloadable gift cards at full face value on the RaiseRight app or online at www.RaiseRight.com. Easily pay online through a secure ACH transaction or with a credit or debit card and earn a rebate between 2% and 20% that immediately goes toward funding your child’s DMS Trip Account (90%) and funding the PTO (10%). Use your full-price gift cards for your everyday shopping.
Here’s a short video https://youtu.be/lPD4jn7FYvY that shows how the RaiseRight app works right on your phone! You can buy and scan e-cards at a restaurant or while in line to check out.
Where do I sign up?
- Fill out this form https://forms.gle/3iZJYcyJPj3GHn3z7 so we know who gets your rebates.
- Join our program by creating an account* on the RaiseRight app or online at RaiseRight.com. Our enrollment code is 7A84L4BB37615. The platforms work interchangeably.
- Link your bank account to enroll in online payments. Once you do this, you can elect to pay via secure ACH transaction (29 cents per order), via debit card (1% fee per order), or via credit card (2.6% fee per order). The PTO does not accept checks for RaiseRight payments.
*Note: Only Parents can have RaiseRight accounts for their students. You are welcome to take orders from grandparents, family, and friends, but all orders and payments must be made through the parent’s account. All funds raised in your child’s trip account need to be used for Discovery trips. The account savings can be passed on to a sibling at DMS or gifted to a friend if not used by the end of 8th grade.
Have a question? Contact the RaiseRight Coordinator, Elizabeth Cichowicz at ema817@aol.com
Buy | Get | Earn |
$100 Martins Gift Card | $100 Martins Gift Card | $3.60 for Trip Account & $0.40 for PTO |
DMS PTO Scholarship
Every year, the DMS PTO awards two scholarships to graduating seniors, who were previous DMS graduates, and are pursuing a post-secondary education. Both scholarships this year will be for $1,000. Application deadline is February 28th!
We encourage all applicants to complete the entire process using the Google forms. However, you do have the option to print the packet, and submit it per the instructions, if needed.
Either way, please review the packet for full instructions to clearly understand the process and expectations. Contact info is provided if you have any questions.
DMS PTO Scholarship Application
https://forms.gle/EBSpQHTBUr77DGWn6
DMS PTO Scholarship Reference Form
https://forms.gle/e8akpomgeqxAYLJH7
DMS PTO Scholarship packet – printable document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I2NqNapKxpPSKs8ucVcbs3qipERLp80D2XkV3UNTpwc/edit?usp=sharing
PTO Information
Complete this form to connect with the PTO. Please note that completing this form is required to join our FB page and to participate in Scrip.
You will also have the option to sign up for the weekly PTO email and register for the student directory.
PTO Board 2025 – 2026
President Erika Haahr: erika_haahr@yahoo.com
VP – Concession Manager – Co-chair Laura Imdieke: laura.imdieke@gmail.com
VP – Concession Manager – Co-chair Lora Reihl: lorahottell@hotmail.com
VP – Concession Manager – Co-chair Miranda Ma
VP – Scrip Coordinator – Elizabeth Cichowicz: ema817@aol.com
Treasurer – Maggie Thompson: mmthompson12@hotmail.com
- AIM Rewards (Purchasing items to be used at school for Archer Card rewards)
- Box Tops for Education (now digital!)
- Concession Stand (Help run the stand during various events, keep the fridge stocked, and manage money)
- 3BOS (Three Books One School, assist with decorating the commons area )
- PHM Forum Representative (attend monthly meetings on a Wednesday at noon to hear Dr. Thacker and others speak about happenings in PHM and write a brief report to be included in the DMS PTO Newsletter)
- Poinsettia Sales (Organize the ordering and distributing of poinsettias one time per year)
- Teacher/Staff Appreciation (Coordinating staff meals during fall conferences & an appreciation week in May)
- 8th Grade Reality Store (Present your career to students or work a table to help students role-play in the ‘real world’ in March)
- 8th Grade Party (Help plan this fun event in May for the 8th graders)
- 8th Grade T-Shirts (Help with the designing, ordering, and distribution of t-shirts for 8th graders)
- Give Back Night (Coordinate give back nights in the winter and spring)
- Spirit Wear