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.

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.

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).

“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.

“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 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

2026 ILEARN ELA Scores

2026 ILEARN Science Scores

2026 ILEARN Social Studies Scores

2026 ILEARN High School Biology

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. 

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 …

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

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

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Discovery is #3 out of Indiana’s 483 public middle schools.

Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.

Schmucker also made the list at #53.

And all of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”:

• Northpoint #1  
• Prairie Vista #2 
• Horizon #37
• Mary Frank #39
• Bittersweet #94
• Elm Road #172
• Moran #175
• Elsie Rogers #297
• Madison #273
• Meadow’s Edge #370
• Walt Disney #385

Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools were also ranked, and Penn ranked #26.

The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 pre-K, elementary and middle schools nationwide for their rankings. The rankings use the same methodology for all included grade levels. For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students. Click here for more information on the methodology.

The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores on an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions. They reviewed data on 17,901 public high schools. Click here for more background information on their ranking system.

P-H-M hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

The session was led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

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 “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 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.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

Penn High School’s newest official sport is already making history. The Penn Girls Flag Football program hosted its first-ever Prospect Camp on July 22-23, welcoming over a dozen incoming middle school athletes. The two-day camp focused on building foundational skills in flag football, while also emphasizing teamwork and leadership development.

To see the full Flag Football Prospect Camp photo gallery click here.

The camp follows the official launch of the Girls Flag Football program at Penn, approved by the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees in March. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced earlier this year that 55 schools have committed to fielding teams for the 2025 season—more than double the 27 teams that participated in 2024.

The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football program in partnership with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. As part of this initiative, Penn High School will receive $6,500 in grant funding from the NFL and Colts to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

While the new IHSAA-sanctioned Girls Flag Football program marks a major expansion in athletic opportunity for student-athletes, Penn’s long-running “Powder Puff” Homecoming tournament will continue as a separate tradition. The event features four teams—one per class year—and remains a popular part of Penn’s Homecoming week festivities.

Penn Flag Football’s inaugural season is set to include a seven-game regular season, culminating in a postseason that features a sectional round and a state championship. The Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) is projecting six teams for the 2025 season: Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.

The NIC schedule kicks off with four conference games at School Field on Saturday, Aug. 23. Regular doubleheaders will follow at rotating locations throughout the season. Penn’s first home game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, against South Bend Riley. Game times will be announced at a later date.

The Penn team will hold practices after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, with games played on Wednesdays. Matches will be played in a 7-on-7 format, with each game lasting 60 minutes.

Leading the program is Head Coach Jerimiah Maggart, a 2007 Penn graduate and former football and wrestling standout. Maggart joined the Penn faculty for the 2024–2025 school year as a Fitness, Health, and Strength and Conditioning instructor. He previously taught and coached at Jimtown High School, where he served as head coach of the boys and girls wrestling programs. He has also coached at North Montgomery and Manchester High Schools. Maggart is a graduate of Purdue University.

Maggart aims to grow the program quickly, starting with a varsity team this fall. His long-term goals include adding a junior varsity team by the 2026 season and building out youth and middle school feeder programs.

Tryouts and official practices for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.

Click here for a Google Form to fill out if you are interested in playing Girls Flag Football.

You can also email Coach Maggart at jmaggart1@phm.k12.in.us for more information.