Experience P-H-M Excellence at Bittersweet Elementary Showcase

Thank you for your interest in Penn-Harris-Madison Schools!

During our Elementary Showcase on Monday, Feb. 19, prospective families are invited to step inside our school, see #PHMExcellence in action, and learn about the engaging academic opportunities we offer our students.

This event is designed specifically to engage families who are considering enrolling their student in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and providing registration information.

In district families who have kindergartners can register online TODAY by clicking here.

Non-resident students seeking admission to kindergarten, or any other grade level, must check this page on the P-H-M website.

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

Bittersweet’s third graders posted a 95.9% IREAD pass rate in 2025, up from 85.0% in 2024—a double-digit gain of 10.9 points.
Teachers trained, certified or in the process of Science of Reading instruction certification
Research-based and proven high-quality instruction resulting in academic success
Penn Pals PreK program

A School District That Invests in Innovation

SchoolAI is a trusted instructional platform that empowers teachers to design interactive, engaging lessons aligned to student learning outcomes while providing students with guided, adaptive workspaces that support individual learning needs. The platform prioritizes student privacy, securely protecting data and using it only for educational purposes.
P-H-M is a 1:1 technology district, with all elementary students having access to a Chromebook; kindergartners use iPads. Middle and high schoolers are assigned and responsible for Chromebooks that they take home.
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is fortunate to have the PHM Education Foundation (PHMEF) support innovative programs that fall out of the district’s budget through classroom grants that all teachers and staff can apply for.
Bittersweet received three PHMEF grants for a total of $7,345.25 this year supporting new learning opportunities.
Annual FREE “Books & Bots” event, sponsored by PHMEF, gives all P-H-M K-5th graders the opportunity to interact with a well-known children’s author and participate in a variety of robotic activities.
A grant from PHMEF placed 3D printers in all 11 P-H-M elementary schools to print fidget tools for students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Click here to see the story that aired on WSBT-TV recently.
P-H-M’s strategic planning and financial stability make the district well positioned to continue to make ongoing investments in student programs, extracurricular and enrichment opportunities, staff development, school safety, and facilities.

Safe & Secure Schools

Safety is Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s #1 priority
P-H-M has a five-member Security Team with combined 120+ years of law enforcement experience that is supported by local off-duty police officers serving as SRO’s.
Every school has a 3-layered security approach

School Community & Active Parent Involvement

Active PTO with parents who volunteer in the classroom and plan school wide family event/activities
Caring Closet provides winter gear and essentials for families in need
In-house food drive and Adopt-a-Family program
Cultivate program supporting families with meal assistance

Beyond-the-Classroom

Kids Club (after school care available for working families)
Saturday Enrichment opportunities for High Ability students
Student Council
Fifth grade students visit Camp Eberhart
Clubs, competitions, and enrichment opportunities
Running Is Elementary (health fitness program for 4th and 5th graders sponsored by PHMEF)
Short Circuits (FREE robotics program with Penn student mentors available to all 3rd graders sponsored by PHMEF)

Mentorship & Relationship Building Opportunities with other P-H-M Schools

Culinary partnership with Penn High School students
Kids Club tutoring from Penn High School students
Penn High School basketball players reading to Bittersweet students
Penn High School Student Cadet teachers supporting Bittersweet teachers in the classroom
Poetry Club readers from Schmucker Middle School
Pen pal programs with other P-H-M elementary schools, Moran and Madison