ParentSquareP-H-M Named 2024 Best Community for Music Education
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2024’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for the 11th year in a row! P-H-M is among only 17 Indiana school districts, out of about 300, that made the list.
Now in its 25th year, the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized 583 school districts and 135 schools across the country for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children. This recognition celebrates and recognizes K-12 music teachers in school districts who found creative ways for the “show to carry on” despite schools moving online or to in-person settings where masks were required not only for student musicians and instruments.
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.
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, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, P-H-M answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.
In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood. Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.
Back to School Information
We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.
The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 for grades 1 – 12.
- All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.
- Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 21st.
BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. MARK CALENDAR & ATTEND!
- Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 11. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal.
- All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 14th. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
- Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
- Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.
The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2025-26 School Year!
CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER
- Elementary and Middle School Front Offices open Monday, August 4th.
- Penn is open every week day over the summer.
- All schools are open Monday – Friday during business hours. Those hours vary by school.
- Click here for the School Directory of all 15 schools
- Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 4, 2025. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
- Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.
BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS
- Back to School packet & information sheets
- Parent/guardians will sign these three forms in ParentSquare:
- Photo Consent
- Mandatory Curriculum Consent
- Handbook Certification
- These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
- CHIRP Release
- Chromebook packet
- Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school
- Back to School Info Sheets
Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account
- Here is the SY 2025-26 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
- All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year.
- Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
- Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
- All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES
- Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations.
- Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
- Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school.
- Click here for the forms administering medications at school
- Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services
- School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
- Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
- Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
- Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.
- Visit our Food & Nutrition page to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
- See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch and Textbook Assistance. Click here to apply online.
- Online payment for child’s meals
- Other Payment options
- Penn-Harris-Madison uses ParentSquare to send urgent alerts, such as school closings and delays.
- Principals and teachers also use it for noncurricular school and classroom communications.
- Penn High School coaches and teachers who sponsor clubs, academic teams or extracurricular activities use StudentSquare to safely communicate with students, without exchanging cell phone numbers. Click here for details on how students can sign up for StudentSquare.
- Click here for instructions on setting up your account.
- Once your account is set up, families can chose their preferred mode of communication for non-urgent notifications–app, text, email, phone. You can also chose to have all communications automatically translated to your preferred first language. Click here for details on how to personalize your account and check your notification settings.
- Make sure you sign up for ParentSquare to receive school closings/delays urgent alerts.
- Click to see how, when and what factors into P-H-M’s decision makings for 2-hour delays and closings.
Penn-Harris-Madison’s culture of excellence, what we call #PHMExcellence, is built upon the “Triangle of Success”– linking students, teachers, and parents for the the best outcome for students. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!