Class of 2027 seniors at Penn High School will soon have the chance to win a personalized parking spot they can paint for the 2026-27 school year. 

With support from the P-H-M Education Foundation, 26 parking spots located along the tree line in Penn’s main parking lot will be available for selected seniors to design and paint this summer. Students selected for the program will provide their own painting supplies. 

Six spots have already been reserved for students with persistent attendee status through a drawing held in May. Those students have been notified. The remaining 20 spots will be awarded through the chance to win process.

Any incoming senior with a valid driver’s license is eligible to participate. Entries will be sold for $5 each during lunches on May 19, 20, and 21, with no limit on the number of entries students may purchase.

Students who win will still be responsible for the Penn Parking Fee of $40.

Proceeds from the initiative will support the P-H-M Education Foundation and help fund programs that directly benefit P-H-M schools.

Click here to read more about the new program.

Penn High School has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as a 2026 Best Communities for Music Education school.

Now in its 27th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation honors schools and districts across the country for their commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality music education. The program celebrates efforts by teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members who make music a meaningful part of a well-rounded education.

Penn is among more than 1,000 schools and districts nationwide to receive recognition this year. Schools are evaluated on factors such as funding, instruction time, participation, facilities, and community support for music programs.

This recognition reflects the strength of music education at Penn High School, where students have opportunities to participate in a wide range of programs, including choir, band, orchestra, and other performing arts offerings. Penn High School offers the Fine Arts & Communication Academy as part of its unique academy structure. The seven academy design provides Penn students with relevant and meaningful coursework taught in smaller, supportive environments where each student is known well by his teacher and peers. Nearly a third of Penn’s total 3,500 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs.

These programs are part of a larger commitment across the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation to provide students with meaningful and accessible music education experiences from elementary through high school.

In P-H-M elementary schools, music class is part of the regular curriculum following state standards. Students are instructed in both vocal and instrument classes. Beginning in 6th grade, P-H-M students at our three middle schools (Discovery, Schmucker and Grissom) have the opportunity to choose choir, orchestra or band as their music elective. Students at Discovery also have the option of choosing Piano Lab. Schools from elementary all the way up to Penn High School also perform musicals.

This national honor highlights the continued dedication of Penn’s music educators, students, and community in building and sustaining a strong culture of music education to help support not only artistic growth, but also collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Approximately 300 Penn High School freshmen stepped outside the classroom this week to explore future career possibilities at the JA JobSpark Career Expo, held at the Century Center in South Bend.

Joining hundreds of students from across the Michiana area, Penn students took part in hands-on activities designed to introduce them to real-world careers and local industries. The interactive format gave students a chance to try new skills, ask questions, and begin thinking about their future paths.

Throughout the expo, students rotated through a variety of stations representing different career fields. They tested their skills in trades like masonry, construction, roofing, and electrical work. Others practiced detecting counterfeit bills with First Source Bank, analyzed fingerprints in a mock crime lab with the South Bend Police Department, or explored careers in healthcare through physical therapy and dentistry activities.

Students also experienced creative and service-based careers, including hairdressing, food preparation with Taco Bell and Arby’s, and even reading from a teleprompter with WNDU 16 News. Additional stations allowed students to take professional headshots, try out recreational activities like Frisbee golf, and explore products from local manufacturers such as Barletta and Lippert.

The trip was organized by Penn’s Director of Counseling, John Westra, whose efforts helped make this opportunity possible for students.

Experiences like JobSpark give students an early look at potential career paths while connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities right here in the local community.

Penn High School Early College students recently visited the South Bend Logan Center as part of a field trip focused on learning about disabilities and community resources.

Students from all four grade levels in the Early College program attended, joining approximately 200 students from other area schools.

During the visit, students participated in activities and presentations that introduced them to the services and support the Logan Center provides for individuals with disabilities. The experience offered students an opportunity to learn more about the importance of inclusion and accessibility in the community.

The field trip is one of several opportunities for Early College students to engage in learning beyond the classroom and connect their studies to real-world experiences.

Five Penn High School students earned top honors at the Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday, February 28 at Innovation Park at the University of Notre Dame. Each student received at least one award for their research, and three of the students will advance to the State Science Fair in Indianapolis on March 28.

Penn’s students competed against top young scientists from across the region, presenting original research projects and defending their findings before a panel of judges. Their work covered a wide range of scientific topics, from cancer research to environmental science and the effects of technology on living organisms.

Eleanor Niemier (9th grade) presented her project “Cisplatin Effects on Gene Expression in Lung and Colon Cancer.” She received several honors including the Notre Dame College of Science Dean’s Award, the Harper Cancer Research Institute Award, the Regeneron Biomedical Science Award, and a first place ribbon.

Viosa Hernandez (9th grade) earned recognition for her project “How do iPhones, iPads and WiFi affect the development of living organisms? A case study of Raphanus Sativus and Lepidium Sativum.” She received the Saint Mary’s College Dineen Award and a first place ribbon.

Ethan Doane (12th grade) presented “Fighting bacteria with liposomes: a better way to deliver antibiotics.” He was awarded the Notre Dame Biology Senior Award along with a first place ribbon.

Penn also had a strong showing in the team category. Jacob Pennington and Anthony Scott (11th grade) worked together on their project “The Effects of Municipal Wastewater Treatment on Microplastic Size and Concentration.” Their research earned the Community Impact Award, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Water Prize Award, and a first place ribbon.

Three Penn students will move on to represent the Northern Indiana region at the State Science Fair on Saturday, March 28 in Indianapolis:

• Eleanor Niemier ~ Cisplatin Effects on Gene Expression in Lung and Colon Cancer.” 

• Viosa Hernandez ~ “How do iPhones, iPads and WiFi affect the development of living organisms? A case study of Raphanus Sativus and Lepidium Sativum.”

• Ethan Doane ~ “Fighting bacteria with liposomes: a better way to deliver antibiotics.”

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is proud to celebrate two Penn High School educators, AP U.S. History teacher Keith O’Connell and AP Language and Composition teacher Julie Huxford, for their continued success in helping students excel in Advanced Placement coursework.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Penn Principal Rachel Fry surprised O’Connell and Huxford with the P-H-M Teacher Impact Award recognition. Both teachers had the highest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or higher on their respective AP exams last year, demonstrating the impact of strong instruction, high expectations, and a commitment to student growth.

O’Connell and Huxford collaborate as co-teachers for a seminar class, allowing students to benefit from their combined expertise in historical analysis, reading comprehension, discussion, and argumentation. Their partnership helps create a cohesive academic experience that supports students across disciplines and strengthens overall achievement.

Beyond individual classroom success, Penn’s AP performance data shows a clear upward trend compared to state averages:

• AP U.S. History results have improved from -1% to +8% compared to statewide scores over the past three years.

• AP Language and Composition results have increased from +11% to +18% compared to state results during the same period.

These gains reflect a consistent emphasis on critical thinking, analytical writing, and deep content understanding, skills that prepare students not only for AP exams, but also for future college and career success.

The P-H-M Teacher Impact Award is presented each semester to teachers whose students show the greatest academic growth, highlighting excellence in teaching and learning across the district.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for providing the beautiful engraved awards that the teachers keep in their classrooms as a reminder of what they and their students accomplished.

All P-H-M Impact Award Winners will be recognized for their outstanding student growth at the next School Board Meeting on Monday, March 16 at Meadow’s Edge Elementary School.

Click to see the full photo gallery in Canto.

Penn High School Early College students recently stepped outside the classroom to explore college campuses across Indiana during the program’s annual College Blitz Trip.

Since 2023, the Early College Academy has taken students on four College Blitz Trips with the goal of helping juniors, and sometimes sophomores when space allows, experience college life firsthand. The two-day trip gives students the opportunity to visit multiple campuses that would be difficult to see during a traditional one-day field trip and helps them imagine what their future could look like after high school.

This year’s trip included visits to Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University West Lafayette, IU Indianapolis, and Butler University. Students experienced everything from large Big Ten campuses to a downtown city setting and a smaller private university atmosphere. The variety allowed students to compare campus environments, explore academic programs, and start thinking about which type of school feels right for them.

The experience also focused on building connections within the Early College program. On Tuesday night, students shared a memorable bonding moment when they were recognized at an Indiana Pacers game.

About Penn’s Early College Academy

Penn High School’s Early College Academy gives students the opportunity to begin their college journey while still in high school. Through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, students take dual credit courses taught by credentialed Penn teachers, allowing them to earn college credits while completing high school graduation requirements.

The program supports students as they build confidence, develop college readiness skills, and work toward earning significant college credit, and in some cases an Associate’s Degree, before graduating from Penn High School. Early College continues to open doors for students by providing access, support, and real college experiences that help prepare them for success after graduation.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

College Blitz Trips are an extension of the Early College mission. By walking college campuses, meeting with admissions staff, and seeing college life up close, students gain valuable perspective that helps make their next steps feel more real and achievable. For many students, the trip is more than a visit. It is a chance to see themselves on a college campus and begin planning for what comes next.

To learn more about Penn’s Early College Academy click here.

Penn Playschool students took their first “trip” of the week without ever leaving the classroom, thanks to a special visit from some Penn High School Spanish students.

Penn Playschool is part of Penn High School’s Health and Human Services Academy and provides a hands-on learning experience for both high school and preschool-aged students. Early Childhood Education students plan and lead intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development-based activities for preschool-aged students, applying what they’ve learned throughout the school year. Under the guidance of certified teacher Kylee Wetzel, the program supports future educators while creating meaningful, engaging experiences for young learners.

This week, Penn Playschool is exploring a “Cultures & Travel” theme, and the kickoff featured a fun, interactive mini-lesson in Spanish led by Penn High School Spanish students.

During the most recent lesson, playschool students practiced counting to 10 in Spanish and learned a few everyday words and phrases, including hello, thank you, and goodbye. Experiences like this not only introduce early learners to new languages and cultures, they also create meaningful connections across our school community by bringing students together to learn from one another. Great way to show #PHMExcellence, Kingsmen!

The P-H-M Education Foundation and Everwise Credit Union have renewed their naming rights agreement for Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School, extending a partnership that has supported educational innovation and community engagement for more than a decade.

Approved at the January 12, 2026, Board of School Trustees meeting, the new 10-year agreement reflects a continued commitment to advancing educational excellence and community engagement across the district. Everwise Credit Union first partnered with PHMEF in 2015, when the naming rights for Penn’s iconic football stadium were first established.

“Community partnerships like this one are essential to our mission,” said Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of the PHM Education Foundation. “Everwise Credit Union’s continued investment in Everwise Freed Field is about much more than a name. It represents a belief in our students, our schools, and the power of strong community relationships to support excellence in education across the P-H-M district.”

Everwise Freed Field continues to be a central gathering place for Penn students, families, and community members, hosting athletic events, celebrations, and school-wide traditions that bring people together. Through this renewed partnership, Everwise Credit Union helps ensure ongoing support for PHMEF programs, classroom grants, and district-wide initiatives that enhance learning opportunities for all students.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the PHM Education Foundation and the P-H-M School Corporation,” said Randy Lemert, School and Business Relationship Representative for Everwise Credit Union. “This renewal reflects our belief in the importance of education and our commitment to investing in the communities we serve. Supporting Everwise Freed Field allows us to be part of experiences that matter to students and families, both on and off the field.”

Under the agreement, 80% of funds generated from naming rights go directly into the PHMEF Endowment, which funds classroom innovation, creative learning projects, and strategic partnerships districtwide. The remaining 20% supports professional development opportunities for P-H-M teachers, ensuring educators continue to grow and inspire excellence in their classrooms.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of investing in both students and educators,” said Dr. Heather Short, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. “Supporting the PHM Education Foundation’s Endowment while also funding teacher professional development strengthens learning today and builds a strong foundation for the future.”

Freed Field was constructed in 1958 and was named for former Penn Twp. Trustee Vernon Freed. Starting with the 2015 season, community partner Everwise obtained naming rights to Penn’s home football field. This naming rights renewal marks one of 36 active naming rights partnerships that PHMEF maintains with local businesses and organizations, each helping to advance the foundation’s mission of enriching educational opportunities for P-H-M students.