News

Walt Disney Grants

Walt Disney Awarded More Than $5,000 in Education Foundation Grants

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 Walt Disney was fortunate to receive $5,064.50 in grant dollars! Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects ...

The Learning Spectacular Brings Reading, Math, and Fun Together

Families packed the school last night for The Learning Spectacular, a night designed to celebrate reading, math, and hands-on learning through engaging, carnival-themed activities. In the Library, students enjoyed balloon creations and entered a free game giveaway. The Cafeteria offered a snack station and face painting, while the Engagement Lab featured a Book Walk that kept students moving and reading. In the hallway outside the ...
Jen Smoker

P-H-M Board of School Trustees Appoints Jen Smoker to Fill Penn Township Seat

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 ...
Walt Disney Named Among U.S. News 2026 “Best Elementary Schools”

Walt Disney Named Among U.S. News 2026 “Best Elementary Schools”

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Walt Disney is #385 out of Indiana’s 989 public elementary schools! Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years. All of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”: Northpoint #1 Prairie Vista #2 Horizon #37 Mary Frank #39 Bittersweet #94 Elm Road ...

Get to Know Principal Matt Garber

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've never worked in ...