Average
#886 of 1,823 schools in IN
Top 49% in state
Penn High School
High School · Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp
56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Enrollment
3,847
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,847
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mishawaka
#11 of 18
public schools
Indiana high schools
#182 of 388
In district
#9 of 15
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn High School
Penn High School serves 3,847 students in grades 9-12 in Mishawaka, Indiana, making it one of the larger high schools in St. Joseph County. With 181 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.3:1, providing a substantial educational environment for its diverse student body.
Academically, Penn High School earns a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #792 out of 1,831 Indiana high schools, placing it in the 57th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a 7.4 out of 10 academic score, and 49% of students achieve proficiency or above in mathematics across grade levels, indicating areas of strength with room for continued academic growth. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income is $52,621 and median home value reaches $160,600.
About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.5%, reflecting a middle-class community invested in education. Located on Bittersweet Road in a large suburban setting, Penn High School serves as an educational anchor for the nearly 27,000 residents of the 46545 ZIP code area, offering comprehensive high school programming in a well-established Mishawaka neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
Penn High School is a large school with 3,847 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Penn High School is 21.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Penn High School — Students at Penn High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.
How Penn High School Compares
See how Penn High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 49% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 83% (2021).
Location
56100 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Twin Branch Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT EDISON LAKES (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mishawaka, see our Mishawaka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Schmucker Middle School Mishawaka | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Bittersweet Elementary School Mishawaka | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| QUEEN OF PEACE SCHOOL Mishawaka | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Twin Branch Elementary School Mishawaka | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Elsie Rogers Elementary School Mishawaka | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Moran Elementary School Osceola | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Fred J Hums Elementary School Mishawaka | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Beiger Elementary School Mishawaka | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mishawaka | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Elm Road Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Mishawaka High School Mishawaka | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Walt Disney Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Battell Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.4 mi | 7.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elkhart | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Liberty Elementary School Mishawaka | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| THE MONTESSORI ACADEMY AT EDISON LAKES Mishawaka | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Horizon Elementary School Granger | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Discovery Middle School Granger | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Granger | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Virgil I Grissom Middle School Mishawaka | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46545 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,889
Median Home Value
$174,700
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
26,581
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
49.4%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn High School has a median household income of $55,889. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,700, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Elkhart High School Elkhart, IN | 6.4 |
| Southport High School Indianapolis, IN | 6.8 |
| Franklin Central High School Indianapolis, IN | 6.9 |
| Perry Meridian High School Indianapolis, IN | 6.9 |
| Pike High School Indianapolis, IN | 7.0 |
| Noblesville High School Noblesville, IN | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn High School
What grades does Penn High School serve?
Penn High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Penn High School?
Penn High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,847 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn High School is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn High School rank in IN?
Penn High School is ranked #886 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Penn High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn High School has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Penn High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn High School has 54.7% math proficiency and 83.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn High School a charter school?
No, Penn High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn High School a Title I school?
No, Penn High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn High School?
24.9% of students at Penn High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,847
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 181
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- St. Joseph County
- Phone
- (574) 259-7961
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp- District Enrollment
- 11,538
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,141
- District Rank
- #9 of 15
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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