The Academies at Penn High School

Penn High supports college and career readiness with its academy structure.

The Academies of Penn High School serve as “smaller learning communities” where students build relationships while engaged in relevant learning experiences. The academies provide a supportive environment where each student is well known by teachers and peers. Students are in turn guided in the development of a learning program associated with a career path that aligns with their interests and abilities.

  • The Freshman Academy serves all ninth graders by providing a cohesive and highly supportive first-year experience. Freshman will learn about the opportunities afforded by the four Achievement Academies available to them as upperclassmen. 
  • The Early College Academy fosters early success for students focused on obtaining an Associate Degree while completing their high school coursework.
  • World Languages Academy crosses Achievement Academy boundaries, offering English and foreign language instruction for all students, along with culturally rich opportunities including international travel.
  • Exceptional Education Academy offers outstanding educational resources to support our students in an inclusive and nurturing environment. With the dedicated support of Penn faculty, Exceptional Education students thrive as they work toward achieving their high school diplomas in alignment with the Indiana Department of Education standards.

College and career readiness means a successful transition from high school to postsecondary options and adulthood.

Community Partnerships

The Penn Fine Arts & Communications Academy is partnering with local media and arts organizations to give our students unique opportunities in the professional world. Currently, partnerships have been developed with the following organizations:

South Bend Symphony Debartolo Performing Arts Center
Snite Museum of Art Conn-Selmer Incorporated
South Bend Regional Museum of Art Graphic design & local businesses
Ivy Tech Community College Southwestern Michigan University
Northern Regional & National Scholastic Arts REAL Services
Reins of Life Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Library Spencer Gallery
Patchwork Dance Company Fischoff Chamber Music Association
Euclid String Quartet Indiana University South Bend

 

Careers

The Fine Arts & Communications Academy Pathway can prepare students for the following careers:

Visual Arts Theater & Stage
Advertising Acting
Animation Dance
Architecture Technical Director
Art Therapy Set & Stage Designer
Book/editorial/illustrator Costume Designer
Fabric Designer Music & Engineering
Fashion Designer Director 
Game Designer Recording Engineer
Graphic & Computer Design Electronic Music Engineer
Industrial Design Composer
Interior & Display Design Conductor
Medical Illustrator Communications
Museum Director/Curator Writer
Music Cover Designer Television Anchor/Reporter/Producer
Package Design Public Relations Professional
Photographer Journalist
Photo Journalist Politician
Publications Design Publicity Agent
Sculptor/Ceramicist Education
Toy Designer Secondary/Post-Secondary
Visual Effects Engineer
 

 

STEM Academy faculty

Click here for staff contact information

STEM Academy Leader: Josiah Parker

Dawn Boulac, math Mark Watts, science
Maryellyn Knight, math Trent Yeoman, math
Tracy Megyesi, math Val Ong, math
Diane Bowersox, science Ree Johnson, math
Kim Reitz, science Breanna Berkheiser, science
Ken Poling, science Steve Sinish, technology
Les Crooks, technology Jim Langfeldt, technology
Evan White, Technology Cory Yeoman, technology
Dan Vogelgesang, technology Mel Lenig, agriculture
Dawn Troyer, English Candice Beelaert, English
Danielle Duvall, English Julie Huxford, English

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World Languages Academy

The World Languages Department believes that students living in a global society should learn a second language to develop a deeper understanding of our diverse world as well as an appreciation for other cultures. 

Counseling

Penn High School’s staff of professional school counselors is committed to supporting the academic, social/emotional, and career development of students.

Office Hours: 7:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Monday – Friday

Phone: (574) 258-9502

Penn’s Counseling Office earned “Gold Star” status from the Indiana School Counselor Association in 2006, 2013, and 2018.

The Gold Star School Counseling Award indicates that a school counseling program is data-driven, held accountable, and impacts students across academic, career, and social/emotional domains. Schools collect data about student needs, examine the purpose and vision of the program, plan and organize services for students, and then create an exhaustive portfolio outlining their program. During the 2017-18 school year, an advisory council was formed by the counseling office to tackle this project. The counsel was made up of Penn High School staff members, students, parents, and community members representing diverse groups such as small business, mental health care, and economic development. This important designation shows that Penn’s counseling center is aligned with the best practices in school counseling. The counseling center strives to continually improve and adapt in order to provide the best services to our students!

The American Scholar Counselor Association (ASCA) has also named the Department a “Recognized ASCA Model Program” (RAMP) in 2006 and 2019.

The RAMP designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering an exemplary comprehensive school counseling program. Honorees are awarded for aligning their program with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, a framework for a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling. Since the program’s inception, more than 820 schools have been designated as RAMP recipients. RAMP applications are reviewed once a year and assessed in 12 different program areas.

Counseling Center Vision Statement – We believe that students deserve to be surrounded by caring adults, including licensed school counselors, who can support their academic, mental, and emotional needs.  We believe students should have continuous access to these services in a safe and equipped environment.   We believe students should have the ability to choose and engage in appropriate curriculum, based on their needs, preferences, and potential.  We believe students should have equitable access to opportunities that prepare them for post-secondary and life-long success.

Counseling Center Mission Statement – In partnership with parents and the community, the Penn High School Counseling Center is committed to keeping students a priority and focusing on their health, well-being and educational growth.  Through activities and programs, our students will find the services they need to pursue goals in their future. It is our goal to help students become responsible, contributing citizens.

Counseling Center Staff

Click here for Staff e-mail contact information

Counseling Center

(574) 258-9500, then press *, and then enter the five-digit extension number to reach the person you are trying to contact. Fax: 574-254-2856.

  • John Westra: Counseling Center Director – Foreign Exchange, Pennway, Night School, ext. 20827
  • Jen Tiller: Wellness Counselor, ext. 20402

GRADE 9 COUNSELORS

  • Nancy Block (ext. 20917): A – H
  • Deanna Ward (ext. 20416): I-Migues and Early College Freshmen
  • Marni Cronk (ext. 20847): Miller – Z

GRADE 10 COUNSELORS

  • Lynn Stratford (ext. 20833): A – Daigle
  • Sandy Hunter (ext. 20837): Dame – Howes
  • Jennifer Shaw (ext. 20836): Hoy – Lu
  • Bailey Shultz (ext. 20604): Lucas – Parnell
  • Julie Fell (ext. 20842): Patel – Swiger
  • Janiece Fitzgerald (ext. 20853): Szuba – Z
  • Stacy Eck (ext. 20417): Early College

GRADE 11 COUNSELORS

  • Lynn Stratford (ext. 20833): A – Correll
  • Sandy Hunter (ext. 20837): Councell – Gutierrez
  • Jennifer Shaw (ext. 20836): Hackett – Kurtis
  • Bailey Shultz (ext. 20604): Laidig – Owens
  • Julie Fell (ext. 20842): Painter – Skrzeszewski
  • Janiece Fitzgerald (ext. 20853): Smith – Z
  • Stacy Eck (ext. 20417): Early College

GRADE 12 COUNSELORS

  • Lynn Stratford (20833): A – Catunao
  • Sandy Hunter (20837): Caudillo – Galiher
  • Jennifer Shaw (20836): Garcia-Souffront – Kuzmic
  • Bailey Shultz (20604) Kvietkus – Paiano
  • Julie Fell (20842): Pal – Slavinskas
  • Janiece Fitzgerald (20853): Smiley – Z
  • Stacy Eck (20417): Early College

STAFF

  • Laura Zahner, Registrar – ext. 20841
  • Wendy Hayes, Enrollment Secretary – ext. 20851
  • Jodi Jensen, Career/College Aide – ext. 20582
  • Becky Callender, Counseling Center Secretary – 20502 (574-258-9502)
  • Brad Boyd, Night School Director – 20896; Night School direct line 574-254-2896
  • Jonathan Joyner Ivy Tech/Early College Academy – ext. 20754

Fall Sports First Practices Set

Practices for the 2016-17 Penn High School’s Fall Athletic Programs – with the exception of girls golf – are schedule to start on Monday, Aug. 1. Girls golf will have its first practice on Friday, July 29.

“Penn’s Athletic Programs have carved out a special legacy with their effort and achievement,” Penn High School Athletic Director Aaron Leniski said. “Last year, Penn teams won sectionals in 16 of 19 IHSAA-sanctioned sports. The Kingsmen captured team sectional championships in five Fall sports. Our football, girls soccer, girls golf and girls cross country teams all advanced to state championship events.

“We look forward to building on the successes of one of Indiana’s great high school athletic traditions in 2016-17, and cheering on our student-athletes to new achievements,” Leniski continued. “We are also grateful for the efforts of our coaches and support staff, and the outstanding community support that our teams receive.”

All-Sports Passes are on sale now in the Penn High School Athletic Department Office. Information about All-Sports Passes is available by clicking here.

Click here for the Penn Athletics monthly calendar.

Click here for the Penn Fall Sports first week of practice calendar.

Click here for the master Penn Athletic teams schedule.

First practices set for Monday, Aug. 1, for Penn’s IHSAA-sanctioned sports teams are:

·        BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: 6:30-8 a.m., Penn Track.

·        VARSITY/JV FOOTBALL: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Freed Field and the Practice Field.

·        FRESHMAN FOOTBALL: 8 a.m. to noon, Freed Field and the Practice Field.

·        BOYS SOCCER: 7-8:30 a.m., Penn Soccer Fields.

·        GIRLS SOCCER: 7-8:30 a.m., Tryouts/Penn Soccer Fields.

·        BOYS TENNIS: 9-11 a.m., Family Tennis Courts.

·        VARSITY/JV VOLLEYBALL:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tryouts/Arena/West Balcony/Auxiliary Gym.

·        FRESHMAN VOLLEYBALL: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tryouts/Arena/West Balcony/Auxiliary Gym.

The first practice for the Penn girls golf team is at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 29, at Blackthorn Golf Club.

All Practices are subject to change.

Cross Country Course

Located at 59400 Elm Rd., Mishawaka, Indiana, the Elm Road Elementary School grounds are home to the Penn Boys and Girls Cross Country teams.

Penn’s home course is considered one of the more challenging courses in the Northern Indiana Conference.

The course features small, steep hills with one very large hill. It is an all-grass surface.

Runners must complete two laps to run the full 5K IHSAA distance for competitive cross country meets. The length of the straightaway at the start and finish of the course is 200 yards. The course starts with a long straightaway, followed by a couple turns leading to a small hill. As runners continue on, there is another hill, which is steeper than the first. The biggest obstacle follows, a longer climb on a bigger hill on the back of the course.

Penn’s cross country course has portable restroom facilities.

Penn student-athletes have access to the Lifetime Fitness Center and the Thacker Fieldhouse.