News

In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in ...

Dr. Jerry Thacker is proud and delighted that the Board of School Trustees appointed Dr. Heather Short this week to succeed him as superintendent upon his retirement. From Dr. Heather Short: As the incoming Superintendent, I am thrilled to recommend Dr. Lavon Dean-Null to succeed me as the next Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. In addition, I am also recommending Dr. Mindy Higginson as the next ...

In a special meeting held Tuesday, May 27, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees unanimously (7-0) approved the appointment of Dr. Heather Short as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025. Nearly 50 P-H-M teachers, administrators, staff, family and friends showed up to express their overwhelming support of Dr. Short's appointment. Dr. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to ...

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced today (Friday, May 23) that it will be renewing Elm Road's STEM Certification for an additional five years! This Certification means that our school is a certified institutional leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Click here for more information on the IDOE's STEM Certification process. Our school completed a rigorous application and review process, which ...

For the 12th consecutive year, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2025’s Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! P-H-M has received this recognition more than any other school district in Indiana! This year NAMM has named 935 school districts as the nation's Best Communities for Music Education, and P-H-M is one of ...

The annual one mile run for P-H-M fourth and fifth graders is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The race is sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, This event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each ...

Running is Elementary will be held Monday, April 28 (Rain Day is Wed., April 30) at Elm Road Elementary School, 59400 Elm Rd, Mishawaka. Introductions will begin at 2:50 p.m. 5th Grade Girls - 3:00 p.m. 5th Grade Boys - 3:20 p.m. 4th Grade Girls - 3:40 p.m. 4th Grade Boys - 4:00 p.m. Limited parking is available at Elm Road School. Overflow parking is ...

As a reminder, the last day of school for students is Thursday, June 5, 2025. This is one day earlier than previously scheduled. Due to the absence of local, state, or national elections on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, all P-H-M schools were in session and no longer had a Recess Day on this date. P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with the District Administration to make ...

It was a clean sweep for Northpoint at P-H-M’s at this year's Elementary Spell Bowl--with the 5th grade team earning a perfect score! Click here to see the photo gallery below. The annual event, held March 25th at Penn High School, is a competition between 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student teams from all 11 elementary schools compete. The number of points between the placing ...

Principal Madelyn Beers welcomed the Board of School Trustees to Elm Road Elementary on Monday, March 24. Principal Beers and Asst. to the Principal Jenni McCarthy, with the help of WEGL News student "TV anchors," delivered all the news about the school's academics and activities, intentional practices and community building. Click here to view Principal Beers' presentation. The "Elm Road Jumpers" showed off their best ...