Incoming Freshmen

Welcome to Penn High School!

Your journey to becoming a Penn High School Kingsmen starts here!

The transition from middle school to high school is an exciting milestone! Penn High School is committed to helping incoming freshmen and their families feel informed, confident, and prepared for a successful start to 9th grade.

Throughout the school year, Penn hosts a variety of freshman orientation events, open houses, and informational sessions, including Penn High School Showcase,

to introduce 8th grade students and their families to high school academics, course scheduling, graduation requirements, extracurricular opportunities, and life at Penn.

8th Grade Visits to Penn High School

Before selecting their freshman year courses, 8th grade students from Penn-Harris-Madison’s three middle schools (Discovery, Grissom, and Schmucker) visit Penn High School during the school day.

These visits give future Kingsmen an opportunity to explore their new school, learn about academic expectations, and begin planning their high school experience.

During their visits, students:

• Tour Penn High School to become familiar with the building and campus.
• Explore diploma options and graduation pathways to understand the requirements for earning a high school diploma.
• Learn about freshman course selection and how to choose classes that align with their interests and future goals.
• Discover extracurricular opportunities, including athletics, clubs, fine arts, and student organizations.
• Ask questions about the transition to high school and what to expect as a Penn freshman.

If an in district family has a student attending another middle school and is interested in Penn High School, they can attend the annual Penn Showcase,  held every year in late November/early December, or contact the Front Office to arrange a tour.

Penn High School Showcase: Explore All That Penn Has to Offer!

Penn Showcase gives incoming freshmen and their families an opportunity to experience the wide range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and educational opportunities available at Penn.

This event helps 8th grade students begin envisioning their high school experience, explore their interests, and discover the many ways to get involved as a Penn Kingsman.

The Showcase is also an opportunity for parents and students to learn more about Penn’s academic offerings and ask questions as they prepare for the transition to high school.

Learn More About the Penn High School Showcase.

Freshman Course Scheduling & Parent Information Sessions

Choosing courses for 9th grade is an important first step in planning for high school success.

Penn High School offers freshman course scheduling information sessions to help incoming students and their families understand graduation requirements, available courses, diploma options, and the scheduling process.

These sessions also provide opportunities for parents and students to ask questions and make informed decisions about their freshman year schedules.

Unable to attend a scheduling information session?

We have provided these resources to help students and families review course options, understand graduation requirements, and prepare for 9th grade course selection.

• Ninth-grade scheduling presentation
• Class of 2029 & beyond four-year plan
• Grade 9 course menu
• Peer Leader Application 27-28
• Program of Studies

To assit you with scheduling, watch this video of Penn staff explaining the Graduation Pathways.

New Indiana High School Graduation Requirements & Pathways

Beginning with the Class of 2029, Indiana has new high school graduation requirements designed to help students personalize their education and prepare for success after graduation.

The Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) new diploma requirements give students greater flexibility to select courses and educational experiences aligned with their individual interests, strengths, and future goals.