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.

The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) has named Larry Beehler, a member of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Board of School Trustees, as the recipient of the 2026 Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award.

A longtime advocate for public education, Larry Beehler has dedicated 40 years of service to the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees, helping guide one of Indiana’s highest-performing school corporations through decades of growth, innovation, and student success. 

“Larry Beehler has set an extraordinary example of what it means to be a dedicated public servant. For 40 years, he has led with integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for students,” said P-H-M School Board President Chris Riley who has served alongside Mr. Beehler for nearly 16 years. “His thoughtful approach to governance and his ability to keep student success at the center of every decision have helped shape the Board’s culture of collaboration and accountability. This statewide recognition is a fitting tribute to Larry’s remarkable legacy of leadership and service.”

During School Board Trustee Beehler’s tenure, including 22 years in board leadership positions, Mr. Beehler has championed the School Board’s governance model, strategic planning, and initiatives that have helped generations of students thrive.

The ISBA recognized Mr. Beehler at the annual ISBA/IAPSS Fall Conference held October 5th and 6th in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, Mr. Beehler was unable to attend this year’s conference. 

“What truly distinguishes Larry most is not simply the extraordinary length of service, but his integrity, humility, thoughtful judgment, and genuine care,” said fellow Penn-Harris-Madison School Board member Gary Fox accepting the award on Trustee Beehler’s behalf. 

Mr. Beehler has played a key role in shaping the district’s governance practices, helping develop Penn-Harris-Madison’s School Board compact based on the John Carver Board Governance Model. He has served on the Board’s negotiation team, the district’s Wellness Committee, and as the corporation’s representative on the local Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Beehler has also helped oversee major construction projects and capital improvements, while supporting innovative initiatives such as naming-rights partnerships that generate additional revenue for the district.

Student success is at the heart of his service. Mr. Beehler served on the Smaller Learning Communities Achievement Design Committee for Penn High School, which helped establish smaller learning communities and achievement academies at the high school. This approach has  personalized instruction and improved student outcomes. Over the years, Penn High School’s graduation rate has risen from 79 percent to 98 percent.

“Generations of P-H-M students have benefited from Larry Beehler’s vision, dedication, and steadfast belief in the power of public education,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “Larry understands that academic excellence doesn’t happen by chance. It requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and a long-term commitment to providing students with exceptional educational opportunities. His 40 years of service have helped build the foundation for P-H-M’s continued success, and we are incredibly proud to see him receive this well-deserved statewide honor.”

Beyond policy and planning, School Board Member Beehler has maintained a personal connection to the schools he serves. Each year during the first week of school, he joins the Superintendent on building visits. He loves catching up with teachers and staff members and meeting new students. He especially enjoys visiting Madison Elementary School, located in Madison Township, the community he represents on the School Board.

Trustee Beehler is a graduate and valedictorian of former Madison Township High School (the building now serves as P-H-M’s Madison Elementary School). He has remained deeply committed to the school community that helped shape his life, establishing the “Larry Beehler Scholarship” which is awarded annually to a graduating senior who attended Madison Elementary School. For his decades of service and leadership, the P-H-M board room is being renamed the Larry and Judy Beehler School Board Room in honor of Larry and his wife. In 2017, the ticket center at Penn High School’s football stadium was named after Larry Beehler. Both were done through the PHM Education Foundation naming rights campaign.

The Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award is conferred annually by the ISBA to one school board member out of the 1,686 school board members in Indiana. The award honors exceptional school board service, leadership, and dedication to public education and is chosen by fellow school board members.

“Larry Beehler exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated School Board member,” said ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin. “Larry’s service stands as a remarkable example of the difference thoughtful, servant-minded leadership can make in a community.” 

In addition to the statewide award, the following school board members were recognized as Regional Outstanding Board Service Award winners for each of ISBA’s 10 geographical regions:

Region 1 – Andy Maletta, Portage Township Schools

Region 2 – Larry Beehler, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

Region 3 – Valerie Armstrong, Dekalb County Central United School District

Region 4 – Bob Gerber, Tri-County School Corporation

Region 4 – Brad Swartzell, Pioneer Regional School Corporation

Region 5 – Katie Fague, Tipton Community School Corporation

Region 6 – John Adams, Delaware Community Schools

Region 7 – Jessica Elston, Plainfield Community School Corporation

Region 8 – Amy Norman, M.S.D. of Lawrence Township

Region 9 – David Waninger, North Spencer County School Corporation

Region 10 – Myra Powell, Borden-Henryville School Corporation

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 …

Elsie Rogers Elementary students achieved an outstanding 96.4% passing rate on the 2026 IREAD assessment, placing the school among Penn-Harris-Madison’s highest-performing elementary schools.

Elsie Rogers, a Title I school, was one of just five P-H-M elementary schools to achieve a pass rate of 95% or higher.

The school’s 2026 pass rate is 7.7 percentage points above Indiana’s statewide passing rate of 88.7% and represents continued growth from its already strong 94.6% passing rate in 2025.

Across P-H-M, 94.7% of students passed IREAD in 2026, 6 percentage points higher than the state average. Five P-H-M schools achieved pass rates of 95% or higher, while 10 of the district’s 11 elementary schools performed above the state average.

“These results are a reflection of the incredible dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the partnership of our families,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “I am especially proud of the growth we are seeing across our schools, including our Title I schools that have achieved a 90% or higher passing rate.”

P-H-M continues to prioritize research-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading, providing educators with professional learning, instructional resources, and opportunities to collaborate around student data and effective instructional practices.

The district also administers IREAD to all second grade students as an early indicator of reading proficiency. In 2026, 72.1% of P-H-M second graders passed IREAD a year early.

Elsie Rogers’ strong performance reflects P-H-M’s ongoing commitment to building on a culture of academic excellence and ensuring every student has the foundational literacy skills necessary for future success.

By the Numbers

• 96.4% — Elsie Rogers 2026 IREAD pass rate
• +1.8 percentage points — Increase from 2025
• 7.7 percentage points — Elsie Rogers performance above the state average
• 94.7% — P-H-M corporation-wide pass rate
• 88.7% — Indiana statewide pass rate
• 72.1% — P-H-M second graders passing IREAD

Before the Penn football team kicked off their football season under the Friday Night Lights, another type of kickoff happened under the lights that brought both tears and cheers! Click here to see a full photo gallery.

On Friday, August 21, 2026 we held our first-ever Kindergarten Kickoff. It was a sight to behold and warmed our hearts–approximately 175 kindergartners and 100 seniors walking towards each other on the football field meeting at the 50 yard line. The goal was for the Class of 2027 students to welcome into the P-H-M Family the Class of 2039 students giving them gold and black pom-poms. To say the Future Kingsmen were excited was an understatement; and the seniors were pretty pumped to welcome them into the P-H-M Family. 

Click to watch the video below …

This new tradition will be added moving forward as part of the festivities of Penn High School’s Home Opener boy’s tackle football game and the Community Tailgate, which has been a longstanding tradition.

MISHAWAKA, IN —With the Indiana Department of Education’s release Tuesday, August 11 of 2026 IREAD-3 results, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Heather Short is proud to share that 94.7% of P-H-M students passed IREAD.

P-H-M’s corporation-wide pass rate increased over last school year (2025-2026) and is 6 percentage points higher than this year’s statewide overall passing rate of 88.7%.

Five P-H-M elementary schools achieved an outstanding 95% or higher passing rate, including one Title I school.

• Prairie Vista Elementary: 98.8% pass rate
• Horizon Elementary: 97.7% pass rate
• Northpoint Elementary: 96.9% pass rate
• Elsie Rogers Elementary: 96.4% pass rate (Title I school)
• Bittersweet Elementary: 95.9% pass rate

Statewide, results show that 88.7% of Indiana’s third grade students demonstrated proficient reading skills on the IREAD assessment. This is an improvement of nearly 1.5 percentage points over results for the 2024-2025 school year, the second-largest single-year increase since the assessment began (click here for more information on state results in today’s IDOE news release).

Five other P-H-M elementary schools had pass rates above the State average, with four of those scoring 90% or higher, including three of P-H-M’s Title I schools: 

• Moran Elementary: 94.8% pass rate (Title I school)
• Walt Disney: 94.4% pass rate (Title I school)
• Elm Road Elementary: 93.1% pass rate (Title I school)
• Madison Elementary: 90.5% pass rate
• Mary Frank: 88.9% pass rate

“These results are a reflection of the incredible dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the partnership of our families,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “I am especially proud of the growth we are seeing across our schools, including our Title I schools that have achieved a 90% or higher passing rate. These accomplishments demonstrate what is possible when we maintain high expectations and provide students with the support they need.”

P-H-M continues to prioritize research-based literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading, providing educators with professional learning, instructional resources, and opportunities to collaborate around student data and effective instructional practices.

The 2026 IREAD-3 results reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to building on a culture of academic excellence and ensuring every student develops the foundational literacy skills necessary for continued academic growth.

“We are proud of these results, but our work does not stop here,” Dr. Short added. “We will continue to use student data to identify opportunities for growth, strengthen instruction, and make sure every child has the opportunity to become a confident and capable reader.”

By the Numbers

• 94.7% — P-H-M corporation-wide IREAD-3 passing rate
• 6 percentage points — P-H-M performance above the state passing rate
• 5 schools — Achieved a 95% or higher passing rate
• 1 Title I school — Achieved a 95% or higher passing rate
• 3 schools — Increased their passing rates by 6–8 percentage points compared to 2025
• Year-over-year growth — P-H-M’s overall passing percentage has continued to increase since 2024

All second grade students participate in the IREAD assessment – a tactic that has already proven successful at providing educators and families an early indicator of whether a student is on-track to read by the end of third grade. 

P-H-M’s second grade results were an impressive 72.1% of students passing in 2026.

This school year Penn High School will launch a new tradition celebrating the connection between Penn’s incoming Senior Class of 2027 and the Kindergarten Class of 2039.

At Penn’s first home football game on Friday, August 21 after the Community Tailgate (click here for more details on this event) and before the Penn-Valpo game, incoming kindergartners will be welcomed to the P-H-M family during our inaugural Kindergarten Kickoff celebration.

As part of this special event, Penn seniors will meet the kindergartners at the 50-yard line and pass them black and gold pom-poms, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as future Kingsmen and Lady Kingsmen.

This simple but meaningful moment represents the tradition, pride, and community that make Penn High School and P-H-M special. 

Info for Kindergarten Families

Click here to register your kindergartner to participate.

Show your Penn Pride by ordering your student an official Future Kingsmen t-shirt by clicking this link.

Event Details:

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. 
• Kindergarten and younger siblings are FREE and do NOT need a ticket!
  Purchase older student and adult tickets online for $7.00 ($8.00 at the gate) by clicking here.
  
• Community Tailgate is 5:30-7:00 p.m. You can feed each member of your family for just $6.00! 
• Check in for Kindergarten Kickoff at the PHM Education Foundation Table by 6:00 p.m.
• Pick up your child’s t-shirt (if purchased)
• Enjoy the festivities and connect with other P-H-M families
• One adult should stay with their child until they walk onto the field and will remain in the end zone to meet them afterwards
• Get your cell phones ready to take pictures of your student participating in the Kindergarten Kickoff!

Stay for the game:

After the Community Tailgate and the Kindergarten Kickoff event, families are encouraged to stay and cheer on the Kingsmen as they take on Valparaiso in their home opener.

Info for Penn Seniors Class of 2027

Seniors, click here to sign up.

Space may be limited, so we encourage you to register early.

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. 
• Make sure you purchase your football ticket online for $7.00 ($8.00 at the gate).
• Community Tailgate is 5:30-7:00 p.m. Hang out with your friends & eat for just $6.00! 
• Check in for Kindergarten Kickoff at the PHM Education Foundation Table by 6:00 p.m.
• Enjoy the festivities with your friends
• Have your friends ready to take pictures of you participating in the first-ever Kindergarten Kickoff!

Penn-Harris-Madison Schools is proud to recognize outstanding educators whose instruction leads to meaningful academic growth for students.

This semester, Walt Disney Elementary English as a New Language (ENL) teacher Mayra Chanon was surprised with a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award for her outstanding work supporting multilingual learners at both Walt Disney Elementary and Elsie Rogers Elementary. Superintendent Dr. Heather Short shared the news with her while she was in her classroom at Walt Disney.

Mayra played an important role in helping several Grade 2 students successfully pass the IREAD assessment. At Elsie Rogers Elementary, 100% of the students she worked with passed IREAD in Grade 2. At Walt Disney Elementary, 68% of her students either passed IREAD or are on track to pass next year, demonstrating strong academic growth and progress.

Walt Disney Elementary Principal Matt Garber helped Dr. Short surprise Mrs. Chanon in her classroom at Walt Disney. She was celebrated for her dedication to student achievement and the meaningful impact she has on students across both schools. The P-H-M Teacher Impact Award is presented each semester to educators whose work leads to outstanding academic growth and achievement across the district.

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.