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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83%
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected+10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,274

Penn High School — Students at Penn High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
49%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in IN
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
181 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,808/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mishawaka). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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