Penn named #24 on U.S. News 2020 Best High Schools list

Posted on September 10, 2020

Penn High School was ranked 24th in Indiana— #1 in the South Bend area—in US News & World Report’s 2019 U.S. News Best High Schools listing

Penn’s other points of distinction noted by the prestigious national magazine ranking, students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate at Penn High School is 43 percent.

With the release of the Spring 2019 ISTEP (grade 10) results, Penn High School as 12th among public schools for combined ELA & Math scores in grade 10.

Indiana high school students typically follow the Core 40 curriculum, which includes required classes in English Language Arts, math, Social Studies and Science, among others. Students who fulfill additional requirements can earn a diploma with academic or technical honors. Penn has a 97% graduation rate with more than 85% of students graduate with High Honors, Academic Honors or Technical Honors. 

The Class of 2020 included these points of distinction:

  • @820 graduates earned more than $9 million in scholarships
  • 17 valedictorians and 3 salutatorians
  • 12 students have named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

  • 11 were named Finalists

  • 11 students were named Commended Scholars

  • 5 Students were nominated for Presidential Scholars

  • 2 students were awarded the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County Eli Lilly Endowment Scholarship based on their high academic merits and test scores

The Academies at Penn High School provide the framework for student success. Through their work in each academy, students find relevant and meaningful coursework taught in a supportive environment where each student is known well by his teachers and peers. Through these “smaller learning communities,” students build relationships while engaged in relevant learning experiences.

Penn’s Early College Academy has received an endorsement as an Early College High School by The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning. As an endorsed Early College High School by the CELL, Penn’s Early College Academy is regarded as an exemplar for other high schools across Indiana implementing an Early College program.

Penn is a Four Star School earning the Project Lead the Way Distinguished School distinction in 2017-18 (for the 2016-17 school year), and the STEM Academy has been certified as a Full STEM Certified Program by the Indiana Department of Education. 

Click to see the full list and find out more how US News & World Report ranks the Best High Schools. 

Last Modified January 12, 2022