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.

Fifth grade students spent Monday and Tuesday, May 11-12, at Camp Eberhart for their annual outdoor education trip.

During the two-day experience, students participated in a variety of activities including rock wall climbing, archery, canoeing, rope swing courses, and more. The trip gave students opportunities to challenge themselves, work together, and build confidence through hands-on activities and outdoor adventures.

Camp Eberhart, a YMCA camp, offers students experiences focused on teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving in an outdoor setting.

The annual trip is a memorable tradition for fifth graders and provides students with the chance to connect with classmates while learning outside the classroom.

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There is going to be a little something for everybody happening at Penn High School on September 23^rd and 24^th, so mark your calendars and be sure to bring the whole family!

Friday, September 23^rd, 2022

Family Fun Zone

• Time 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Behind Penn High School in the Door E Parking Lot / West of TCU Freed Field
• Inflatables and Food Trucks

Saint Joseph Health System Health Fair

• Time 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Free Health Screenings PLUS interactive booths for children

Homecoming Parade

• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: Behind Schmucker Middle School > Bittersweet > Ends at the P-H-M ESC
• Penn High School Student Groups and Clubs are invited to march

Penn vs Marian

• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $6
• Children in grades K-12 get in FREE with a paying adult

Saturday, September 24th, 2022

Silver Mile Bubble & Color Run for Education – Sign up Here!

• Late Registration & T-Shirt Pickup
  • ​Time: 7:15-8:00 a.m.
  • Location: TCU Freed Field
• Warm Up
  • ​Time: 8:15
  • Location: TCU Freed Field Track
• 1-Mile Fun Run / Walk
  • ​Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
  • Cost: $10 Per Person (4 & under free!) | T-Shirt $10
    • ​Price for Preregistration by September 22nd, 2022
    • Friday & Saturday (Day of) Registration: Cost $15
  • Location: TCU Freed Field Track
• Water and light post race snacks will be available to participants

We are pleased to welcome two new teachers to our Bittersweet staff for the 2020-21 school year!

Cayleen Balbo-Veal, Music

Second graders from Bittersweet Elementary got into the holiday spirit through hands-on gingerbread fun.

Classes visited Penn on two different days, where high school students welcomed them into the kitchen and nearby classrooms for a variety of gingerbread-themed activities. Penn students helped guide the 2nd graders as they rolled out dough, used cookie cutters, and prepared the pieces that would later become gingerbread houses. The groups also worked on seasonal crafts together and enjoyed gingerbread read-alouds.

Today, the baked pieces made their way back to Bittersweet so the students could build and decorate their houses. Families joined the celebration, helping add frosting, candies, and plenty of personal touches to each creation.

Bittersweet’s second graders have been decorating gingerbread houses for nearly three decades, and partnering with Penn adds another meaningful layer to the tradition. The collaboration gives younger students the chance to try new skills while connecting with positive role models from the high school.

It was a joyful week for everyone involved and a great way to celebrate the season together.

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This morning, the entire Bittersweet Elementary School community came together at Everwise Freed Field for the official “Rush to the Goal”  Walk-a-Thon. Students from every grade level walked around the track as part of the school’s first major fundraiser of the year to support the Bittersweet PTO.

The Walk-a-Thon is more than just a fun event, it is an opportunity for students, staff, and families to rally together to support programs and activities that enhance student learning and school experiences. All proceeds stay within the school, helping fund PTO-sponsored initiatives that contribute directly to academic success and enrichment opportunities for Bittersweet students.

In the weeks leading up to today’s event, students reached out to family, friends, and neighbors for pledges.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and participated in this year’s Walk-a-Thon. Your generosity makes a difference for Bittersweet students!

Click Here to see the full photo gallery!

This morning, fourth grade students in Mrs. Kornrumph’s class had the opportunity to become scientists for the day by dissecting owl pellets.

What are Owl Pellets?

• Pellets are the undigested parts of a bird’s food, such as hair or bones.
• Owl pellets are not droppings (faeces/poo) – and they do not smell!
• Unlike droppings, pellets are not waste and they don’t smell, making them safe for classroom investigation.
• Dissecting pellets are a great way to see what makes up an owl’s diet

During the dissection, students carefully pulled apart the pellets to uncover tiny bones and skulls from small mammals like mice, the most common prey of owls. In some cases, owl pellets can hold the remains of up to six small animals, offering an incredible look into the food chain.

The activity not only sparked curiosity but also helped students strengthen their observation and recording skills. Each student had a worksheet where they could put items that they found to discuss it later.

Hands-on lessons like this bring science to life, encouraging students to ask questions, make discoveries, and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

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.