*Update* – This event has been moved from September 18th to Friday, September 19th

ESS hires substitute teachers and aides, along with Exceptional Education Assistant positions.

Can’t make it to one of the Hiring Events listed above. Click here to apply today. Be sure to enter Penn-Harris-Madison in the search box.

Pre-sale tickets for the Mishawaka at Penn Football game are on sale now!

🗓️Friday, Aug. 29

🏈Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

📍Penn’s Everwise/Freed Field

🍔🌭Come early (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.) and enjoy a budget, family friendly meal at the Community Tailgate. Click for more details.

Tickets can be purchased at Penn High School and Mishawaka High School.

If purchasing in person at Penn, enter Door A, which is located on the west side of the building. Upon entering, ask for the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased daily from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. until Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets can be purchased on game day from 9 a.m.- Noon in the Athletic Office.

Tickets are $6 until game day. Game day tickets are $7. These are CASH ONLY transactions!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Students and Patrons please the graphic below to be aware of the items prohibited from bringing into the Stadium.

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. 

With the Indiana Department of Education’s release today (Wednesday, August 13) of 2025 IREAD-3 results, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Heather Short proudly announces that 93.7% of P-H-M third graders passed IREAD.

P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate increased 6.9 percentage points, up from 86.8% in 2024 to 93.7% in 2025–the largest gain in P-H-M’s history of IREAD testing! 

Horizon Elementary’s third graders achieved a 100% IREAD pass rate. With 115 students tested, Horizon ranks as Indiana’s highest-performing school for both the number of students assessed and the percentage passing.

A total of seven P-H-M elementary schools had pass rates of 90% or higher, including two of P-H-M’s Title I schools: 

• Horizon – 100% 
• Prairie Vista – 98.9% 
• Mary Frank – 98.2%
• Northpoint – 97.1%
• Bittersweet – 95.9%
• Elsie Rogers – 94.6% (Title I school)
• Moran at 93.9% (Title I school)

P-H-M students’ success contributed to Indiana’s overall historic jump of nearly five percentage points to 87.3%–the state’s largest single-year increase since the IDOE launched IREAD in 2013. The previous record for the largest year-over-year increase was set in 2024, and was less than 1%.

The P-H-M Board of School Trustees is celebrating, alongside P-H-M administration, the district’s record-breaking achievement; P-H-M outperformed the state’s pass rate by 6.4 percentage points.

“These scores are a tremendous success story, showcasing the hard work of our third graders and the commitment of their families,” said Dr. Short. “Our students put into practice the literacy foundations taught by P-H-M’s dedicated teachers, and their families reinforced that learning at home. I also thank our principals, administrators, and support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best and safest learning environments so our students could excel.”

Over 99% of P-H-M third graders will be advancing to fourth grade for the 2025-26 school year. 

“Helping every child pass IREAD is our priority,” said Dr. Short. “P-H-M provides a wide range of supports to help students excel in IREAD and in academics overall. We are grateful for our talented teachers and support staff whose dedication and persistence make a difference every day. Our students also benefit from after-school tutoring and the extra learning opportunities offered through summer school.”

Last year, the Indiana Legislature passed a law requiring a student who does not pass IREAD in second or third grade to receive remediation and attend summer school with two more opportunities to pass. If a student passes IREAD in second grade, they do not have to take it again in third grade. This year marked the first time all Indiana second graders took IREAD. P-H-M participated as a pilot district in Spring 2023 giving all our second graders the opportunity to take IREAD early.

Some students can receive a “good cause exemption” that allows them to continue to fourth grade. There is an automatic retention for third-grade students who do not pass IREAD that do not qualify for the exemption. 

The legislation also requires districts to implement science-of-reading-based curricula and for all K-5 and special education teachers to receive an Early Literacy Endorsement upon license renewal on or after July 1, 2027.

Over 270 P-H-M teachers were trained in LETRS (science of reading training program) last year, meeting the state-required professional development for the  Early Literacy Endorsement. Every summer, P-H-M has nearly a hundred teachers participating in the district’s annual Literacy Summit–a completely voluntary summer professional development opportunity. 

“P-H-M has always recognized the importance and power of professional development,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Lavon Dean-Null. “The connection between well-trained teachers and academic excellence is clear. Our students and families are blessed to have committed teachers, who are lifelong learners, willing to work over the summer, continuing to grow and learn the best and evolving teaching methods.”

All of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools saw pass rate gains, including double-digit increases at three schools: Bittersweet (+10.9); Meadow’s Edge (+13.7 points); and Walt Disney (+12.6 points). Meadow’s Edge and Walt Disney are Title I schools.

*Title I schools

Other 2025 P-H-M  academic achievements:
In July, the Indiana Department of Education released Spring ILEARN results, and P-H-M students outscored the state average by 20 percentage points in the percentage of students passing both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This places P-H-M in the top 4% of public school corporations statewide for the second consecutive year.

Northpoint and Prairie Vista rank in the Top 10 across Indiana, while Discovery Middle School earned the #3 spot. Eighth-grade math achievement continues to climb, up 24 percentage points since the benchmark year, now outpacing the state average by a remarkable 28 points.

Penn High School’s academic results also reached new heights in 2025. Among public high schools in SAT pass percentage, Penn vaulted from #27 to #15 in just one year. AP success surged as well—83% of students scored a 3 or higher, marking a 12% jump from last year and nearly doubling the number of qualifying scores since 2021.

Penn maintains a 98% graduation rate, and the Class of 2025 earned an impressive $22 million in scholarships.

Registration for the Penn Kingsmen Basketball Leagues (Boys Grades 1-8, Girls Grades 1-2) is now open.

Visit the PDFs below for details and registration links.

Please contact the League Director Coach Smith if you have any questions about the league: jsmith5@phm.k12.in.us

Click here for the Boys and Girls Grades 1 & 2 registration link.

Boys and Girls Grades 1 & 2 (2025-2026 school year)

• Dates: September 21-October 19 (Sundays Only)
• Location: Penn H.S. Fitness Center- Enter through Door G
• Time: Sunday Sessions 10-11:05 a.m.
• Cost: $80 or $105 (if you need a new jersey)
• Schedule: 20 minutes of Drills & 40 minutes of Games

Click here for the Boys Grades 3 & 4 Boys Registration link

Boys Grades 3 & 4 (2025-2026 school year)

• Dates: September 21-October 19 (Sundays only)
• Location: Penn HS Fitness Center- Enter through Door G
• Time: Sunday Sessions 11:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
• Cost: $80 or $105 (If you need a Jersey)
• Schedule: 20 minutes of Drills and 40 minutes of Games
• Don’t wait to sign up! League Max: 60 players

Click here for the Boys Grades 5 & 6 Registration Link

Boys Grades 5 & 6 (2025-2026 school year)

• Dates: September 14-October 19 (Sundays)
• Location Penn H.S. -Arena/Aux. Gym/West Balcony (Door D)
• Time: 3:45 p.m. Start Time
• Wednesday Night: Drills/Skills – 1hour, 15 minutes, start @ 6 p.m. (Days subject to change)
• Cost: $135 (Additional $25 for annual new jersey if needed)

Click here for the Boys Grades 7 & 8 Registration link

Boys Grades 7 & 8 (2025-2026 school year)

• Dates: September 7-October 12 (Sundays)
• Location Penn H.S. – Arena/Aux. Gym/West Balcony (Door D)
• Time: 2:30 p.m. Start Time
• Wednesday Night-TBD Drills/Skills – 1 hour, 15 minutes, start @7:15 p.m. (Days subject to change)
• Cost: $135 (Additional $25 for annual new jersey if needed)

2025 Grades 1-4 Fall Basketball League

2025 Grades 5-8 Fall Basketball League

• Grades 3-4: 8-10 a.m.
• Grades 5-6: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Grades 7-8: 12-2 p.m.

Important League Dates:

• Sunday, Sept. 7: Skills evaluation
• Sunday, Sept. 14: Teams announced
• Sunday, Sept. 21: Games begin
• Sunday, Nov. 2: Tournament
• Sunday, Nov. 9: Travel Team Tryouts for Grades 3-6

Penn Youth Girls Basketball League 2025 FORM

2025_2026 calendar for PGYBL

P-H-M is hosting a districtwide drug awareness parent community meeting to help educate P-H-M families about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all parents/guardians should be aware of. Families of all grade levels, K-12, are invited and encouraged to attend.

The session will be 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.

We hope that P-H-M families are able to attend this very important education session.

Due to the nature of the discussion, children of any age are not permitted at the parent session the evening of Tuesday, October 21. Moore will present a student focused presentation to Penn sophomores, juniors and seniors during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Information on a live stream and YouTube recording will be shared soon. 

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 79 schools have committed to fielding teams for the 2025 season—only 27 teams 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 emerging 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 seven teams for the 2025 season: Penn, Elkhart, New Prairie, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington. As of now, Mishawaka Marian is the only NIC school not projected to field a team. 

The NIC schedule kicks off the season opener on Wednesday, August 27 at South Bend St. Joseph. 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.

At Monday night’s P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, presented three current P-H-M administrators for promotion. This was Dr. Short’s first school board meeting as superintendent since she started in the role on July 1. The following administrative changes were approved at the meeting:

Randy Williams was approved as the new Director of Academic and Student Support. Williams previously served in several administrative roles within PHM since 2008, including Principal of Madison and Walt Disney Elementary Schools, Dean of Students at Penn and Associate Principal of Penn. In 2018 he was honored as a member of the “Forty under 40” class. In 2023 He became the Director of Secondary Education and Student Services for the Middlebury Community School system. Williams now returns to Penn-Harris-Madison with a wealth of new professional experiences and an enhanced skill set.

Maddie Schmidt was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Grissom Middle School. Schmidt is a former Kingsmen and a graduate of Judson University. She has a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Bethel University. Schmidt began her career teaching language arts at Schmucker Middle School. During her time there, she also served as an Instructional Leader. She is an active member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative and has held multiple teacher leadership roles at SMS. Most recently, she served as a Dean at Schmucker. 

Beth Stroven was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Schmucker Middle School. This past year, Stroven served as a math teacher at Grissom Middle School and is a member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative. Prior to joining P-H-M, she was a teacher in Elkhart Community Schools, where she was recognized as the 2019 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and received the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Grant where she earned a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Indiana State University. She later served as the principal of Mary Daly Elementary School. 

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

ILEARN ELA