Elm Road Elementary students made significant gains in reading proficiency on the 2026 IREAD assessment, achieving a 93.1% passing rate.

The Title I school’s pass rate increased 8.7 percentage points in just one year, climbing from 84.4% in 2025 to 93.1% in 2026.

Elm Road’s 2026 results are also 4.4 percentage points above Indiana’s statewide passing rate of 88.7%.

Across Penn-Harris-Madison, 94.7% of students passed IREAD in 2026, 6 percentage points higher than the state average. Five P-H-M schools achieved pass rates of 95% or higher, while 10 of the district’s 11 elementary schools performed above the state average.

“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.”

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.

All P-H-M second grade students also participate in IREAD, providing an early indicator of whether students are on track to read proficiently by the end of third grade. In 2026, 72.1% of P-H-M second graders passed IREAD a year early.

Elm Road’s significant year-over-year growth reflects P-H-M’s commitment to building on a culture of academic excellence and providing students with the instruction and support necessary to become confident, capable readers.

By the Numbers

• 93.1% — Elm Road 2026 IREAD pass rate
• +8.7 percentage points — Increase from 2025
• 4.4 percentage points — Elm Road performance above the state average
• 94.7% — P-H-M corporation-wide pass rate
• 88.7% — Indiana statewide pass rate
• 72.1% — P-H-M second graders passing IREAD