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.

Third grade students at Mary Frank Elementary welcomed First Alert Meteorologist Andrew Whitmyer and the WNDU Polar Bear for a special visit focused on weather safety and severe weather awareness.

During the presentation, students learned important safety tips for a variety of weather situations, including tornado safety, lightning safety, and the dangers of extreme heat inside parked cars. The visit helped students better understand how to stay safe during severe weather while also learning more about forecasting and meteorology.

Students participated throughout the presentation by answering questions and sharing what they already knew about weather preparedness.

Teaching weather safety at a young age helps students build awareness and confidence in emergency situations, especially during Indiana’s severe weather seasons.

Thank you to WNDU, Andrew Whitmyer, and the WNDU Polar Bear for visiting Mary Frank Elementary and helping make weather safety engaging and memorable for students.

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March ES – Menu

One Book, One School launched the first week of February and our Mustangs are doing great! 

Click the image below for an interactive PDF that will link to all the resources:

Plain Text Version:

On February 2nd, we kicked off our annual One Book, One School program with a creative airport-themed assembly designed to build excitement for a month of shared reading and learning.

What is One Book, One School?
One Book, One School is a schoolwide reading initiative that brings students, staff, and families together through a shared love of reading. Each year, the entire school reads the same book, chosen to be accessible across multiple reading levels, to spark imagination, discussion, and a sense of community.

This year, Mary Frank will read Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes. Each student and staff member received a copy of the book and will participate in scheduled readings, classroom discussions, and enrichment activities throughout the month. Families are encouraged to read together at home and take part in creative projects connected to the story.

The program will also include:

• A Reading Log and Reward system

• A Mustangs Give Back service component

• A Supply Drive

• A Pronunciation Guide

• Weekly reading guides

• Enrichment activities

A Flight to Mexico City

To launch the program, Mary Frank transformed into an airport for the kickoff assembly. Students received “first-class airplane tickets,” staff dressed as airport personnel, and hallways were decorated with luggage and travel-themed displays.

The theme tied directly to the book’s opening chapter, in which the main character, Paloma Márquez, flies to Mexico City for the first time.

About the Book

In Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring, eleven-year-old Paloma travels to Mexico City, where she meets siblings Lizzie and Gael Castillo. They ask for her help in finding a valuable peacock ring that once belonged to artist Frida Kahlo. As Paloma searches for the ring, she also hopes to reconnect with memories of her late father. The story blends mystery, culture, and history while exploring friendship, family, and identity.

Mary Frank’s One Book, One School program will continue throughout February, encouraging students to read, discuss, and connect through a shared story.

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Mary Frank Elementary had a special visitor today—Blue, the beloved mascot of the Indianapolis Colts!

Blue, along with his emcee, brought an energetic 30-minute program that blended fun and learning. Through satellite calls, Colts cheerleaders and players joined in to share important messages with students about:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet

• Staying physically active for at least 60 minutes a day

• Working hard in the classroom

• Treating others with kindness and respect by not bullying

The program kept students engaged with interactive games, laughter, and plenty of audience participation. The highlight came at the end when a staff member volunteered to take a pie in the face—much to the delight of the students!

Before wrapping up, Blue led everyone in reciting a pledge to take care of themselves and each other, reinforcing the day’s lessons of health, kindness, and perseverance.

Here’s a short recap of the morning session for Grades 3-5. Grades K-2 were in the afternoon session.

Thank you to the Indianapolis Colts organization for bringing such an inspiring and fun program to Mary Frank!

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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. 

Penn-Harris-Madison invites students, families, alumni, and community members to celebrate Homecoming 2025 on Friday, September 26, 2025 courtesy of the PHM Education Foundation.

The annual celebration includes the Homecoming Parade on Bittersweet Road in front of Penn High School, showcasing student groups, athletic teams, school clubs, and community organizations, followed by the Penn Kingsmen football game against South Bend Adams at Everwise Freed Field.

This is an event for the ENTIRE community and will have activities for people of all ages. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun! More details will be shared closer to the date.

Fourth and fifth-grade students from Bittersweet, Elm Road, Mary Frank, Meadow’s Edge, and Northpoint elementary schools recently enjoyed a musical demonstration by the Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra. This event offered the elementary students an exciting glimpse into what musical instruments may be in their future.

The demonstration began with a slow, moving piece before transitioning into a showcase of individual instruments. Penn orchestra members lined up at the front of the stage to perform brief solos. Each instrument’s unique sound and appearance were highlighted, sparking curiosity and excitement among the elementary students.

The event reached its peak when two Penn teachers brought a thrilling touch of cinematic drama to the stage. Dressed as Princess Leia and Darth Vader from Star Wars, the duo engaged in a light saber battle to the delight of the audience. In a dramatic twist, Darth Vader emerged victorious and led the orchestra in a powerful rendition of the iconic “Imperial March.” Adding to the spectacle, the string players adorned their bows with LED lights, transforming them into glowing light sabers as they performed the final number.

The demonstration not only entertained but also served as an introduction to the world of orchestral music, inspiring many young students to consider learning an instrument in the future. The Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra’s performance was a perfect blend of education and entertainment, leaving a lasting impression on its young audience.

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