U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for public K-8 and high schools.

They ranked the best public high schools by state. Out of Indiana’s 395 public high schools, Penn ranked #26.

Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.

They also examined Indiana’s 989 elementary schools and 483 middle schools.

All of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”:

• Northpoint #1
• Prairie Vista #2
• Horizon #37
• Mary Frank #39
• Bittersweet #94
• Elm Road #172
• Moran #175
• Elsie Rogers #297
• Madison #273
• Meadow’s Edge #370
• Walt Disney #385

Two of P-H-M’s middle schools were also recognized:

• Discovery #3
• Schmucker #53

The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 pre-K, elementary and middle schools nationwide for their rankings. The rankings use the same methodology for all included grade levels. For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students. Click here for more information on the methodology.

The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores on an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions. They reviewed data on 17,901 public high schools. Click here for more background information on their ranking system.

Students in Zack Lopez and Michelle Miller’s Co-Taught 9th Grade Biology class recently explored real-world environmental science during a visit to the Richard Clay Bodine State Fish Hatchery in Mishawaka.

Operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Bodine Hatchery has been raising fish for over four decades. Completed in 1983, the facility produces Skamania steelhead trout, Little Manistee steelhead trout, and Coho salmon, and also handles the early rearing of rainbow trout. The hatchery’s work is part of a cooperative fish management program between the Indiana and Michigan DNRs to support healthy fish populations in the St. Joseph River. These efforts—along with the construction of fish ladders that allow species to travel freely up to the Twin Branch Dam—have helped create a world-class trout and salmon fishery right here in northern Indiana.

During the field trip, DNR staff gave Penn students an inside look at how fish are raised from eggs to adulthood, explaining the science behind hatchery operations and the role of habitat management in sustaining aquatic ecosystems. Students were especially interested in learning about coho salmon, one of the hatchery’s signature species, and even had the opportunity to feed rainbow trout during their visit.

“We got to see and talk about the different stages of life for the fish and the importance of DNR staff stocking our local water systems. It’s very relevant information for our students on ecosystems, positive human interactions with the environment, and a potential career field that students may not have thought about,” Lopez said.

The trip connected perfectly with the class’s studies on ecosystems, food chains, and conservation, offering students a firsthand look at how science and stewardship work together to preserve Indiana’s natural resources.

Click here to see the full photo gallery from the class field trip.

October is National Principals Month! To celebrate, we’re sharing short Q&As with each of our principals—giving you a glimpse into their leadership style, favorite parts of school life, and what drives their #PHMExcellence every day.

If you could swap places with a student for one day, what class or activity would you be most excited to participate in — and why?

Advanced Team Sports (ATS) I enjoy being active and in a competitive environment.

What’s your go-to morning routine (or must-have snack/coffee order) that helps you tackle the day?

I start with my day with an Americano that I learned to make recently.

What were you like as a middle or high school student — and what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

My middle school and high school years were fun but at that point in my life, I really did not anticipate or know what my future career would be. My advice to my younger self would be to trust the process and work hard and whatever you are currently doing as future opportunities will be a result of that hard work. Also, get involved in extracurricular activities as these activities can help drive motivation and help you as a future adult tackle challenging moments.

If your job as a principal had a theme song, what song would be your walk up song–the one playing when you walked into school each day?

Indiana Jones: Raiders March

What was your favorite school lunch or snack when you were a student? What is your favorite school lunch now as a principal?

Rectangular pizza as a high school student. As a principal, I enjoy a Mexican rice bowl from our cafeteria.

What’s one fun fact about you that most students or staff don’t know?

I have my own baseball card from my time playing baseball after college. I was in the state of Indiana 3 point shooting contest in Indiana in 1995 and made it to the finals in the RCA Dome.

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies outside of school that might surprise people?

I enjoy all genre’s of music and believe I still have Vanilla Ice’s song Ice Ice Baby fully memorized…I think!

What’s one thing on your bucket list you still hope to do one day?

Travel to Europe

What’s your favorite school tradition or event?

Commencement

If you could describe your school in one word, what would it be?

United

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, November 1st.

Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.

For any families that want to sign up to perform, please click here to fill out the Google form.

P-H-M is hosting a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of. This event is open to all Parents/Guardians of all grade levels, K-12, and all families in the community are invited and encouraged to attend.

The session will be led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

We hope that P-H-M families and adult members of the community are able to attend this very important education session.

Due to the nature of the discussion, children of any age are not permitted at the parent session the evening of Tuesday, October 21. Moore will present a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Livestream

Check back on this page for the livestreamed video. It will be embedded in this page: phmexcellence.com/DrugAwareness

Sponsor: Sydney Xouris

The aim of the Penn High School Face Paint Club is to teach and inspire students to be themselves and learn to express themselves with fun colors and paint strokes.

Dues: $10 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Regularly scheduled meetings will be held on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sponsor: Alex Dunfee

The purpose of the Treat if Forward Club is to make fun foods/treats for the students and staff of Penn to appreciate their hard work! 

The Club will sponsor staff/teacher appreciation and holiday celebrations and provide treats! We look forward to making special bags for students who join the club.

Meetings: Every first Friday of each month unless notified otherwise after school in Room 181.

Dues: $10 for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Penn Marching Kingsmen are hosting a Community Shoe Drive-Thru Drop-Off from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The Drive-Through Drop-Off will be in the Penn High School Parking Lot. 

Collected shoes (gently worn, used and new shoes) not only support the Penn Marching Kingsmen, but they will be reused and given a second life by those in need through #microenterprise. It’s a WIN-WIN!

Call 574-258-9500 for information.

Pre-sale tickets for the Mishawaka at Penn Football game are on sale now!

🗓️Friday, Aug. 29

🏈Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

📍Penn’s Everwise/Freed Field

🍔🌭Come early (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.) and enjoy a budget, family friendly meal at the Community Tailgate. Click for more details.

Tickets can be purchased at Penn High School and Mishawaka High School.

If purchasing in person at Penn, enter Door A, which is located on the west side of the building. Upon entering, ask for the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased daily from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. until Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets can be purchased on game day from 9 a.m.- Noon in the Athletic Office.

Tickets are $6 until game day. Game day tickets are $7. These are CASH ONLY transactions!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Students and Patrons please the graphic below to be aware of the items prohibited from bringing into the Stadium.

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1.