Penn-Harris-Madison is pleased to be able to offer enrollment to non-resident students on a limited basis for the 2026-27 school year.

Families living in neighboring school districts interested in having their elementary children attend a P-H-M elementary school can apply for that opportunity.

New this year, families can also attend one of our Elementary Showcases. The events are designed specifically to engage families who are considering enrolling their student in P-H-M. 

• Madison: Tuesday, February 17, 5:30 p.m.
• Meadow’s Edge: Tuesday, February 17, 5:30 p.m.
• Bittersweet: Thursday, February 19, 5:30 p.m.
• Mary Frank: Thursday, February 19, 5:00 p.m.
• Elsie Rogers: Monday, February 23, 5:00 p.m.
• Elm Road: Tuesday, February 24, 5:30 p.m.
• Northpoint: Tuesday, February 24, 5:30 p.m.
• Horizon: Wednesday, February 25, 5:00 p.m.
• Prairie Vista: Wednesday, February 25, 5:30 p.m.
• Walt Disney: Thursday, February 26, 5:00 p.m.
• Moran: Thursday, February 26, 6:15 p.m.

Click here for more info on the Elementary Showcases and to RSVP to attend.

The window to apply for available non-resident seats will open Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and close on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. 

On March 2 at 8:30 a.m., P-H-M will post the schools, grades and number of seats available for the upcoming school year. Families must complete an online application between March 2 – 20.

The NRS application will be posted HERE on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.There is no first-come, first-served advantage. 

Please read more and get all the details on our non-resident enrollment process by visiting the Non-resident Enrollment section of the P-H-M website.

📍 Penn High School | 🗓 March 7–8, 2026
🎟 Admission: Free

Penn High School will host a FIRST Indiana Robotics District Competition on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, 2026. The competition will take place in the Main Arena and feature more than 40 teams from across Indiana.

Click here to see a photo gallery of last year’s competition.

📅 Event Schedule

Saturday, March 7

• 10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• All Day – Qualification Matches

• @7:00 p.m. – Competition concludes

Sunday, March 8

• 9:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• 2:00–5:00 p.m. – Playoff Matches & Awards

🤖 About the Competition

• Theme: FIRST AGE (Archaeology)

• Game: REBUILT

• This event serves as a qualifier for the FIRST Indiana Robotics Championship
  (April 17–19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds)

• Top teams may advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championships

👉 Click here for more information on the REBUILT game

🚗 Parking & Entry

• Parking: Penn High School parking lots: Main, Softball, Soccer; and across the street at Schmucker Middle School

• Spectator Entrance: Door D (northwest corner of the school)

🍔 Food & Amenities

• Food trucks available both days

• Spectator-friendly event for all ages

Come cheer on Indiana’s best student engineers and experience innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving in action!

This registration opportunity is for families who

1. Live within the P-H-M district AND
2. Have students who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2026.

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Click here for more registration forms and more details on P-H-M Kindergarten Registration.

Penn-Harris-Madison also operates two preschool programs: Early Learning Academy (ELA) and Penn PALS. 

ELA registration for the 2026-27 school year also opens Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Click here to learn more about ELA.

Penn PALS registration for the 2026-27 school year has not opened yet.

If you are a not a P-H-M resident and you are interested in enrolling your kindergartner, please click here for more information on our non-resident lottery.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation (PHMEF) continues its mission of supporting excellence in education by awarding $73,715.48 in classroom innovation grants for the 2025-2026 school year, marking one of the largest funding years in foundation history! And Moran was fortunate to receive $6,422 in grant dollars!

Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects to life, projects that go beyond traditional classroom resources. The grants are made possible through the generosity of community donors, local businesses, and district supporters.

During the first couple of weeks of December, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom surprised grant recipients. Click here to see the full photo gallery.

Moran was awarded one traditional grant (more than $1,000) and one EZ grant (under $750) for a total of two grants. The descriptions are listed below:

Moran Elementary School Musical Production and Projection System
Laura Scott & Jessie Kinney – $6,142.00
Purchase and installation of a professional grade projection system and supporting technical equipment. Will engage students as they participate in musicals through performance or as apart of the “tech crew.” Musical performances provide an opportunity for students to increase confidence and communication skills. This equipment would enhance students’ storytelling and technical experiences for Finding Nemo, Jr. and future productions.

Yes/No Clickers – Facilitating Communication to Help Students Regulate
Emily Mosby – $280.00
Hand Clickers to Help Students Self Regulate Emotions

“On behalf of the entire PHM Education Foundation Board I want you to know how deeply we believe in our teachers and staff,” said PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom. “Your dedication, and passion for making a positive impact are what make our schools truly exceptional. We are committed to funding your innovative ideas because you are the heart of excellence in PHM, and we are proud to support the remarkable work you do every day.”

For more on the P-H-M Education Foundation’s 2025-26 grant awards, click here.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

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?

I would go to Kindergarten because they always have fun and everything is new and magical!

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

Coffee, coffee, coffee!

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

I loved being in choir and drama. I would encourage myself to be more outgoing and do even more!

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?

Everything is Awesome by Teagan and Sara

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

I loved pizza day! Now I love Nacho Grande day.

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

I loved to sing and act. I taught a drama club and a dance club when I was a teacher!

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

I love to cook and bake.

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

I have to visit Egypt and see the pyramids and the temple at Abu Simbel.

What’s your favorite school tradition or event?

March Madness at Moran is SO much fun!

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

Home 🙂

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 hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 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, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

The session was 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.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

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. 

Moran’s third graders reached a 93.9% IREAD pass rate in 2025, improving from 85.3% in 2024—a significant 8.6-point jump. Students lived by The Knights’ Code: Reliable, Responsible, Respectful, Ready to Learn.

“Our students put into practice the literacy foundations taught by P-H-M’s dedicated teachers, and their families reinforced that learning at home. I also thank our principals, administrators, and support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best and safest learning environments so our students could excel.” — Superintendent Dr. Heather Short

District-wide, P-H-M saw a 6.9-point gain to 93.7% proficiency, outpacing the state average of 87.3% and setting a new district record.

Click here for more information on P-H-M’s overall 2025 IREAD district success.

Our Knights are ready to keep charging forward.