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Experience P-H-M Excellence at Bittersweet Elementary Showcase

Posted on April 7, 2026

Bittersweet Elementary invites prospective families to experience learning in action at our open house event on Monday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-6:30 P.M.. Our Elementary Showcase gives you a firsthand look at our classrooms, meet our educators, and explore the many programs and supports that help every child succeed. This event is designed specifically to engage families who are considering the P-H-M school district and help them register their child. This event is free to attend. Make sure to register in advance here:

Bittersweet Elementary Showcase Details

Date: February 19
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM
Location: Bittersweet Elementary School

What You’ll See at the Bittersweet Showcase

Families will experience the heart of what makes Bittersweet Elementary such a special place to learn, grow, and belong.

Strong Academic Foundations

  • Consistently high ILEARN and IREAD performance, outperforming the state and showing internal growth

  • A high percentage of third-grade students passing IREAD with no retentions

  • Science of Reading instruction, with virtually all teachers trained and certified

  • High-quality classroom learning experiences designed for early success

 

A School Built on Community & Care

  • Strong parent involvement through an active PTO, daily volunteers, and family leadership

  • A Caring Closet providing winter gear and essentials for families in need

  • In-house food drive and Adopt-a-Family program

  • Cultivate program supporting families beyond the classroom

  • A welcoming, connected school culture supported by a robust social committee

 

Real-World Learning & P-H-M Partnerships

  • Poetry Club readers from Schmucker Middle School

  • Culinary partnership with Penn High School

  • Kids Club tutoring from Penn High School students

  • Penn basketball players reading to our students

  • Cadet teachers supporting classrooms

  • Eagle Scout students improving our nature center

  • Pen pal programs with Moran and Madison Elementary

 

Enrichment, Leadership & Beyond-the-Classroom Experiences

  • Student Council

  • Kids Club

  • Camp Eberhart

  • Clubs, competitions, and enrichment opportunities

  • Running Is Elementary

  • Short Circuits

 

A School That Invests in Innovation

  • Three PHMEF grants received this year supporting new learning opportunities

  • Ongoing investments in student programs, staff development, and enrichment

 

Why Families Choose Bittersweet

Bittersweet Elementary 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 is among Indiana’s top performing public school corporations, ranking in the Top 4% of ILEARN student performance and Penn High School’s graduation rate is 98%.

Bittersweet has also earned the distinction of being ranked Indiana’s #94 for Public Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report (Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years).

We are the Bobcats and our culture is captured in our  Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) plan and school motto, which is P.A.W.S. We teach our students that when they are Polite, Accountable, make Wise choices, and practice Safey of themselves and others, our school community benefits. Click here to read an example of the Bittersweet P.A.W.S. in practice.

Students are connected to each other and the greater school community so that they realize the are part of the Bittersweet family. The school as a whole participates in many project fundraisers that connect us together and also provide fun activities for the students, whether it’s the Bobcat Blitz Color Run or Silly String Showdown.

Our staff of compassionate and engaged teachers receive ongoing professional development.

We are a 1:1 Technology district, which means that every student at Bittersweet, as well as every student in the P-H-M school district, has access to their own Chromebook that they use every day in the classroom (kindergartners use iPads). 

History

We opened our doors in August 1980. Our school colors are red, white and black.

Grades: K-5

Click for most recent enrollment data

Bittersweet students will attend Schmucker Middle School and Penn High School.

 

Start Your Child’s P-H-M Journey at Bittersweet

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. We invite you to come see why so many families call Bittersweet home.

  • February 19 | 5:30–6:30 PM | Bittersweet Elementary School
  • [RSVP for the Showcase]
  • [Learn About Pre-K & Kindergarten Enrollment]
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Last Modified April 7, 2026