P-H-M in the State’s Top 5% with Spring 2026 ILEARN results

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) proudly shares the outstanding performance of its students on the Spring 2026 ILEARN assessment, as released by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). P-H-M students outperformed the state average again by 21.5 percentage points in English Language Arts (ELA) and 18.2 points in Mathematics. This achievement places P-H-M in the top 5% of public school corporations passing both ELA and math across Indiana (click here to see the charts below).

“These results reflect our teachers’ and students’ commitment to academic excellence. I am incredibly proud that our students outperformed the state across every grade and tested subject,” said P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “While the 2026 scores establish a new baseline, we are also seeing significant growth across P-H-M. That combination of high achievement and continued growth demonstrates how we are building on a culture of excellence.”

Performing at these high levels is a testament to the district’s commitment to academic excellence and the strategies that drive student success. Out of Indiana public schools that passed both ELA and Math, Northpoint and Prairie Vista Elementary Schools are in the Top 10; and Discovery Middle School is #2.

P-H-M students are consistently outperforming statewide peers across grade levels and subject areas. District Grade 8 ELA pass rate is 71% in 2026, while the state is 44%. That puts P-H-M 27 points above the state. Grade 8 math remains exceptionally strong as well: 58% passed versus 34% statewide, a 24-point advantage. 

P-H-M has double-digit advantages over the state across all tested subjects, ELA, Math and Science. In 2026, P-H-M’s variance over the state are the following:

• +27 Grade 8 ELA

• +24 Grade 8 math

• +24 Biology

• +23 Grade 5 ELA

• +22 Grade 6 ELA 

• +21 Grade 7 ELA

• +20 Grade 6 Science 

The district’s Free and Reduced Lunch (F/R) student population, which now exceeds 34%, continues to demonstrate notable progress. Among Indiana’s largest public school districts testing over 5,000 students, P-H-M ranks #1 in the state for the percentage of F/R students passing both ELA and Math.

“At P-H-M, we’re focused on quality instruction and quality learning,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null. “Our educators are engaging students in intentional learning every day. Teachers continually review student data to refine instruction, identify where additional support is needed and ensure students are appropriately challenged. The strong gains we’re seeing, particularly in middle school ELA and Math, reflect the impact of effective instruction and the collaboration of our teachers across grade levels.” 

Beginning in spring 2022, Indiana junior high school students are required to take the SAT for graduation. Among high schools testing over 500 students, Penn High School’s pass percentage ranks #8 in the state. For the first time since the IDOE began tracking SAT scores, Penn High School’s pass percentage was 20% above the state average.

Penn High School PSAT Performance

Beginning in spring 2022, Indiana junior high school students are required to take the SAT for graduation. Among high schools testing over 500 students, Penn High School’s pass percentage ranks #8 in the state. For the first time since the IDOE began tracking SAT scores, Penn High School’s pass percentage was 20% above the state average.

 

 

2026 ILEARN Math Scores

	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8
PHM	68%	68%	63%	55%	54%	58%
State	52%	52%	42%	40%	36%	34%
Variance	+16%	+16%	+21%	+15%	+18%	+24%

 

2026 ILEARN ELA Scores

	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8
PHM	57%	61%	65%	63%	63%	71%
State	41%	42%	42%	41%	42%	44%
Variance	+16%	+19%	+23%	+22%	+21%	+27%

 

2026 ILEARN Science Scores

	Grade 4	Grade 6
PHM	63%	61%
State	44%	41%
Variance	+19%	+20%

 

2026 ILEARN Social Studies Scores

	Grade 5
PHM	63%
State	47%
Variance	+16%

 

2026 ILEARN High School Biology

PHM	71%
State	47%
Variance	+24%

 

The 2026 ILEARN results represent the first year that all students in grades 3–8 participated in Indiana’s new through-year assessment model (ILEARN Checkpoints), which focuses on a streamlined set of prioritized standards. As a result, these scores establish a new baseline for Indiana and the IDOE is not comparing the results to previous years.