About Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545

574/259-7941   Fax: 574/258-9547

Located in northern Indiana, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation has been serving students in eastern St. Joseph County since 1963.  Over the years, Penn-Harris-Madison has built a reputation for excellence in education that is recognized around the state. For many years the district experienced strong enrollment growth and responded  with facilities and programs to meet student needs. The district maintains a commitment to high quality academic programs with a strong teaching staff, current technology, and excellent facilities.  Extracurricular and co-curricular programs consistently rank among the best in the state. Schools provide a safe, nurturing environment that brings out the best in each student and parent support and involvement is enthusiastic. 

The corporation encompasses approximately 135 square miles with the northern boundary along the Michigan state line, the eastern boundary along the Elkhart County line, the southern boundary along the Marshall County line and the western boundary along the Harris, Penn and Madison Township lines.

Board of School Trustees
The elected board is composed of seven members: Larry Beehler, Gary Fox, K. Jaye Galloway, Randy Leliaert, Chris Riley, Larry Romero, and Jamie Woods.

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent of Schools

2011-2012 Enrollment        
Penn High School (9-12)            3,263
Young adult, night school,             259
alternative school
Discovery Middle School (6-8)       863
Grissom Middle School (6-8)         673
Schmucker Middle School (6-8)    1002
Bittersweet Elementary (K-5)         416
Elm Road Elementary (K-5)           443
Elsie Rogers Elementary (K-5)       285
Horizon Elementary (K-5)               562
Madison Elementary (K-5)              123
Mary Frank Elementary (K-5)         364
Meadow's Edge Elementary (K-5)  311
Moran Elementary (K-5)                 479
Northpoint Elementary (K-5)           583
Prairie Vista Elementary (K-5)        481
Walt Disney Elementary (K-5)        472

Test Scores: Spring ISTEP+ 2011
(Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress)
Scores represent percent of students passing ISTEP+

                English/Language Arts   State           Math           State

Grade 3      89                                   83                85                 78

Grade 4      88                                   82                84                 79

Grade 5      83                                   75                91                 86

Grade 6      85                                   76                87                 80

Grade 7      89                                   77                83                 75

Grade 8      88                                   72                86                 77

                Science                            State           Social Studies   State

Grade 4      84                                    76

Grade 6      73                                    62

Grade 5                                                                  73                       67

Grade 7                                                                  80                      68

Penn High School SAT scores:  2009-2010
                       Reading     Math      Writing 
Penn Mean        529            556          510
Indiana Mean     496            507          480

Nation                501            515           493

Percent students taking test: 59 percent

Academic Programs
The corporation provides a strong educational program based on a curriculum aligned with state standards.  There is an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving and subjects are integrated in order to create a learning experience that is relevant.

A program for gifted and talented students is offered from kindergarten through eighth grade.  It provides a variety of extended learning opportunities to high ability students.  Teachers are encouraged to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students.  Academic competitions provide students with another way to pursue their academic interests and art and music play an important role in the school experience at all grade levels.

Penn High School has an extensive curriculum that offers opportunities in a variety of subjects.  Advanced placement classes and an academic honors diploma are available along with an integrated program that blends course work with career experience.  In addition, Penn has partnerships with area colleges and universities that make it possible for students to earn college credits.

Technology plays an important role in supporting the curriculum by providing access to information and resources that enrich the educational experience.

Special education is available to qualifying students who are integrated into the regular classroom.

High school diplomas available to veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean conflict and Vietnam conflict

The Board of School Trustees has adopted Policy 9800 that recognizes the sacrifices of veterans and that many left high school in order to serve their country. The board wishes to recognize their efforts by awarding them a high school diploma. The criteria that must be met in order to qualify for a diploma are listed in the text of the policy.

Personnel   2011-2012                1,126
Administrators                                    49
Teachers                                          503
Guidance                                           15
Educational Services Personnel      172
Custodial                                            62
Food Service                                      75
Maintenance                                      15
Mechanics                                           5
Bus Operators                                 124
Technicians and Aux. Support           54
Kids Club                                           52 

 

Transportation
Transportation is provided for all students who live within the district.

Number of buses                136

Number of routes:              105

Number of activity buses        2

Students transported       9,331

Daily total mileage           4,771

 

Eligibility
Students must have legal settlement in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. Children must be five years old by September 1 to be admitted to kindergarten in the current school year and six years old by September 1 for first grade.

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation will accept applications from non-resident students after the first of the year. We welcome applications from students in good standing and there is no tuition transfer fee. Families must provide transportation to and from school. Please do not withdraw your child from your current school until he or she has been accepted at Penn-Harris-Madison. If you have any questions or need more information about our award-winning schools, please call Jill Spencer at 258-9588.

 

Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide an educational environment for students to reach their highest academic achievement. We will prepare them to be responsible, healthy, contributing citizens who have acquired the skills to be lifelong learners ready to adapt to a changing world.

 

Vision
Our curriculum is clearly defined, rigorous, integrated with technology, frequently assessed to reach every student, and supported by innovative teaching strategies.

Our students are lifelong learners who demonstrate creativity, analytical problem-solving, and are engaged in positive social, emotional and healthy life skills.

Our school climate is the result of communication and collaboration among the administration, parents, teachers, staff and students. A safe and personalized learning environment in our schools nurtures the whole child.

Our personnel are highly trained individuals who model innovative best practices in all areas of their job assignment. Continuous opportunities for professional development are provided to support their performance at the highest level.

Our creative and visionary leadership team exhibits responsible fiscal management that is committed to our mission and is accountable to the community.

Our corporation seeks to collaborate with the greater Penn-Harris-Madison community in support of our mission.

 

Values
We value learning as a priority and challenge all students to excellence through a continuous improvement model.

We provide a healthy, safe, respectful and nurturing learning environment.

We support continuous professional growth of a quality staff. 

We model a collaborative relationship between students, staff, and parents.

We value community partnerships.

We respect the uniqueness of each student.

We demonstrate fiscal responsibility in support of our mission.

 

Goals
Annually, all students will achieve proficiency as measured by state standards in core academic areas through multiple assessments.

Annually, all students will demonstrate continuous academic progress through multiple assessments. 

All 10th grade students will demonstrate mastery of the proficiencies on the Graduation Qualifying Exam. 

Annually, expenditures will not exceed revenues as measured by the certified budget.
 

P-H-M Profile of a Graduate
 

Be an effective communicator both technically and personally who:

  • Reads and comprehends written materials.
  • Communicates thought, ideas and information through writing.
  • Applies active listening skills.
  • Communicates thoughts, ideas and information through speaking.
  • Uses technology as a tool for communication. 

Be a problem-solver who:

  • Uses basic and advanced academic skills to solve problems.
  • Uses higher order thinking skills.
  • Collects, analyzes and assesses information related to problems.
  • Develops and evaluates possible solutions.
    Chooses and implements solutions.

Be an effective contributor who:

  • Expresses own ideas.
  • Possesses skills to be an independent thinker and cooperative worker.
  • Solves problems as a contributing member of the group.
  • Uses leadership skills. 

Be a lifelong learner and contributing member of society who:

  • Consistently produces a quality effort.
  • Is self-disciplined and can develop and implement plans based upon established criteria.
  • Has a positive and healthy self-concept.
  • Knows how to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.
  • Possesses a global awareness.
  • Models good citizenship and contributes to the community.
  • Understands the changing world of work and how to acquire the necessary real life skills to remain productive for a lifetime.
  • Respects the worth, rights and feelings of others.