July 23, 2013 by Shelby Joe

Edgar Allen Poe Elementary

Edgar Allen Poe Elementary is a fine arts magnet school pursuing authorization as an IB World School with a Primary Years Program (IB PYP). The school’s goal is to “develop creative thinkers and performers in the arts that recognize and appreciate how the arts, through time, have continued to distinguish as well as connect all cultures and societies.” It shares its campus with the Poe Cooperative Nursery School.

Edgar Allen Poe Elementary

5100 Hazard Street, Houston, TX 77098 Mr. Jeff Amerson, Principal

713-535-3780 Ms. Sara Williams, Magnet Coordinator

www.HoustonISD.org/poees

Religious Affiliation

As a public school, Poe has no religious affiliation. According to Houston Independent School District’s policy, every school has a moment of silence each day during which students can pray silently to themselves if they so choose. Also, absences because of religious holidays do not count toward the student’s total number of absences. However, the student is still responsible for the make up work.

Location and Facilities

Poe is located in an affluent, verdant, residential neighborhood just north of Rice University called University Place within the Boulevard Oaks historic district. The school sits between North and South Boulevards with Hazard Street to its east and Wilton Street to its west. Poe shares its campus with the Poe Cooperative Nursery School. Outside, there are fields, a playground, and a school garden.

Admissions

Poe’s admissions process is split into two different types: zoned and magnet.

Students zoned to Poe Elementary will be accepted once their parents have submitted the proper documentation: 1) Current Proof of Address (Bill or Lease), 2) Parent’s Current Driver’s License Showing the Same Address, 3) Student’s Birth Certificate or Passport, 4) Immunization Records, 5) Student’s Social Security card (if they have one), 6) Parental Proof of Custody (in cases of divorce), and 7) Previous Year’s Final Report Card and Test Scores (if enrolling in 1^st through 5^th grade). Students enrolling in kindergarten must by 5 years old by September 1^st.

Parents of students living outside Poe’s zone must apply through the HISD magnet process. Students are selected through a lottery process after applications have closed. To apply for the Neighborhood Vanguard Program, students must submit a separate Vanguard Neighborhood GT application and be tested for gifted and talented status

Academic Tracks and Curriculum

Students take daily courses in Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies/IB. They attend the following ancillary classes: art, dance, music, PE, and technology. Poe is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP). The IB PYP program aims to “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” Poe has one Spanish-English bilingual class in each grade.

Poe’s gifted and talented students can participate in two programs: the Vanguard Neighborhood Program and the FROGS (Friends with Really Outstanding Gifts who Succeed) enrichment program which works with students on a daily basis.

Special Needs

Standard HISD policies.

Foreign Languages

Poe has one Spanish-English bilingual class in each grade.

Arts

Poe is a Fine Arts magnet school. Students take classes in art, dance, and music. Poe hosts two art events: Fine Arts Career Week and All Art Day. During Fine Arts Career Week, local performing and visual artists share their experiences with students during ancillary periods. During All Art Day, students select a theme to explore and to present visually throughout the school. In 2012, students performed on stage in a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

In addition to music class as part of the ancillary rotation, all students have the option to study Suzuki Violin (extra costs). Program participants have one private lesson and one small group lesson per week. They also have several opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Technology

Poe students learn the technology skills required for middle school. They conduct basic computer research, learn about trustworthy web sources, add artistic elements to documents, and create PowerPoint presentations. The Poe Library Media Center’s mission is to provide “equitable access for all students and teachers to books and reading, to information, and to information technology in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.”

Extracurricular Activities

Poe has an Extended Day Program where students are led through different activities by certified teachers involving homework, board games, soccer, outside play, computer, and movies. During this program, students can also participate in the Name That Book or Junior Achievement (Grades 3-5) programs. Additionally, there is a variety of clubs students can join, such as Art Club, Main Street Theatre, Media Club, Millionaire Book Club, Odyssey of the Mind, Poe Choir, Poe Pals, Spelling Bee, and Student Council. Fifth grade students can join the Safety Patrol if they have “shown good citizenship” during their time at Poe.

Fourth grade students take an annual field trip to Austin to explore the state capitol.

Athletics

Students attend PE during the school day and have the opportunity to explore sports through after school clubs like Gymnastics, Track, Poe Dancers, and Soccer Camp.

Parent Involvement

Parents can join the PTO to volunteer to help with events or to chaperon on field trips. In the past, the PTO has put together ice cream socials, Fine Arts Career Week, carnivals, book fairs, auctions, Teach Appreciation Week, and Art Day. Parents can also become a member of the Garden Club, help plan the Science Fair, or compile articles for the bimonthly newsletter.

Edgar Allen Poe Elementary Fast Facts

Overview
School Type	Public, Magnet
Religious Affiliation	Nonsectarian
Uniforms	Dress Code Only
Date Founded	1928
Endowment	N/A
Grades Served	PreK – 5
Enrollment	730
Grade 5	121
Grade 4	116
Grade 3	103
Grade 2Grade 1 KG PK	118130 115 27
Student to Teacher Ratio	17:1
Faculty with Advanced Degrees (#/%)	8/19%
Minorities in Student Body	66%
Curriculum
Academic Tracks Offered	Magnet, IB candidate
Advanced Placement Courses Offered	N/A
Languages Offered	Spanish
Calendar (Semester / Trimester / Other)	Semester
Interscholastic Sports Programs	0

Public School Stats (Public Schools)
Gifted and Talented Students	34%
Free and Reduced Lunch	42%
AYP (2007-2011)AYP (2011-2012)	Met AYPMissed AYP
TEA Accountability (2007-2008)	Academically Acceptable
TEA Accountability (2008-2011)	Recognized