Welcome

three middle school aged female students standing in school hallway with backpacks and insulated cups

About Discovery

Discovery Middle School is part of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, which is recognized as the premier school district in northern Indiana with a reputation for excellence.

P-H-M ranks in the Top 5% of ILEARN Spring 2026 ILEARN performance. 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. Click here to get more details and performance by grade level.

Discovery is #2 in public schools that passed both ELA and Math!

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. 

Discovery has also earned the distinction of being ranked Indiana’s #3 for Public Middle Schools by U.S. News & World Report (Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.). Click here to learn more.

Penn High School’s 2025-2026 SAT pass percentage ranks #8 in the state for SAT scores–20% above the state average. Penn High School’s graduation rate is 98%.

THE IDOE’S GRADUATES PREPARED TO SUCCEED DASHBOARD provides student-focused data to empower Indiana’s educators & families with information on how we are preparing our students for college and career success. Click here to view our GPS Report Card.

For State Accountability purposes, the State Board has placed all schools into the “No Grade” category for the 2022-2023 school year. Therefore, a state report card for 2022-2023 is not available.

History

Discovery Middle School was completed in the summer of 1996 and welcomed the first student body for the 1996-97 school year.  Discovery Middle School serves families from Mary Frank, Horizon, and Northpoint.  Each area of the school contains the latest technical equipment to assist students as they prepare for their place in the 21st century.  The school community is committed to providing a safe, interactive learning environment where all can achieve their personal best.

Special Facilities/Resources

  • 1:1 Technology, every student has a Chromebook to take home
  • Television studio/production rooms
  • Family and Consumer Science technology lab
  • Soundproof music practice rooms
  • Instructional Materials Center (IMC)
  • Flexible instruction areas
  • Grade level team resource/office space
  • Fitness and main gymnasiums
  • Fitness lab
  • Basketball and Tennis courts
  • Soccer and football fields
  • Indoor track

Academic Programs

Student test results and academic performances give us information needed to better meet our student’s individual needs and strengths. Discovery Middle School provides students with a positive learner-centered environment. Discovery Middle School sets high expectations for student performance across all curriculums. Student exemplars are used to set targets and continuously raise the bar. Discovery Middle School offers all students a wide variety of learning experiences and recognizes that each child is talented in different ways. The staff is committed to lifelong learning and creating an environment where all children succeed. The school has a proactive anti-bullying and positive behavior plan in place.

Parent Involvement

Discovery Middle School has a caring, education-centered Parent Teacher Organization committed to encouraging each student to excel.  The parent volunteer program attests to the fact that the community believes education is the product of a partnership involving student, parent and educator.

Honors and Achievements

Discovery has been named a National Blue Ribbon School twice, in 2006 and 2013, and has been identified as an Indiana Blue Ribbon School in 2001-02 and 2005-06. The IDOE has named Discovery a Four Star School consistently every year. Students show a commitment to excellence and personal best.  Academic and athletic competitions afford each student the opportunity to excel in a number of areas.  Participation in competitions provides students with a sense of accomplishment and collaboration.

Activities

  • Academic competitions program
  • After school club program
  • Athletic teams
  • Fine arts/life management programs
  • Intramural/recreation program
  • National Junior Honors Society program
  • Performing fine arts (band, orchestra, chorus, piano)
  • Student Intervention programs
  • Student Ambassadors

Colors:   

Dark green/old gold with burgundy trim

Mascot: 

Archers

Archers have to be ‘on target’ the same as we do at school.  An Archer has to be as “sharp” as an arrow.  This mascot goes perfectly with our logo, for there is an arrow going straight through it.  An Archer not only “points” us the right way, but as students of Discovery Middle School, we should Aim High with our goals to get a better start on life. 

We practice our AIM. High goals throughout the school:  A – positive attitude, I – integrity, and M – Make a Difference.