Poe Elementary

400 Peyton Street

School District

Wake County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for Wake County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 11, 2024

This school's biggest advantage is it's GT/AIG program and the variety of electives it provides to enrich the kid's forte including but not limiting to ELA/MATH AIG courses, Orchestra, Choir, Dance ensembles, Art to name a few. Most teachers are very supportive to the kid's needs and they work as a community for the betterment of the kids. The parent involvement is awesome and the school welcomes ideas/inputs from parents to a great extent.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2023

My children are thriving with the small class sizes, and they know everyone in this tight-knit community. They look forward to exploring their interests every day — trying tap dancing, competing I. science Olympiad, reading classic mysteries, learning Spanish, or perfecting their clay sculpture techniques. My third grader is reading Peter Pan, which is a favorite of mine. My older two are benefitting from the terrific AIG teacher. She is excellent. School events are fun and engaging, whether it’s family bowling or doing experiments with the teachers.
Submitted by teacher on June 17, 2021

Poe is the best place I have ever worked. The staff and teachers are passionate about what they do, and the goal is always to do what's right for the children. The magnet program nurtures each student as a whole child by letting them explore what interests and excites them. Kids can take electives in so many areas: dance, theater, orchestra, choir, art, PE, gardening, robotics, kitchen chemistry, coding, history, and so much more. Academically, the teachers are completely dedicated to helping our kids succeed as much as possible, and get the help they need to do so. It's also a smaller school, which I love, because it means our school really does feel like a family. I am proud to be a Poe Panda. :)
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2018

The school offers great academic experiences. The social experiences can be very difficult for some kids.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2017

Poe is an excellent school. It is very nurturing with a home feel.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

Poe has been our home for 3 years now. My son began in kindergarten, just as the school was culminating its Montessori magnet. For 2 years we have witnessed the change to the GT magnet, and it has been a true blessing. While Poe has indeed lost some dearly loved Montessori trained teachers, we have also gained a number of well-trained fabulous GT teachers and specialists. My son's teacher in particular was AMAZING! He sent out weekly updates via email, offered parent-teacher conferences every quarter, and (most importantly) has helped my son improve leaps and bounds in all areas. This year especially, my son has developed a love of books that I know will benefit him the rest of his life. Additionally, the electives that were introduced this year have really given the children something extra to look forward to in school. And if any parent disagrees with this, I urge them to get more involved so that Poe can continue to grow with the help of more parents and faculty alike.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

Poe Elementary offers highly-trained, committed, compassionate teachers who are skilled at developing personalized instruction for each child. I have kids on opposite ends of the personality spectrum-- one very shy and thoughtful; the other very outgoing and creative. Both have thrived at Poe and have become confident students who love to learn new things. The small-school environment at Poe fosters a close-knit, collaborative environment with an emphasis on respect and kindness to others. The school's transition from Montessori to GT/AIG basics magnet seems like a natural progression to me: teachers already provide superior differentiated instruction to their students and are able to provide each child with leadership opportunities. The new magnet status will be just one more step to enhance teachers' abilities to strengthen their classrooms as a whole. My family owes so much to Poe and its wonderful staff. My children are happy, confident, independent learners and I highly, highly recommend Poe Elementary as the place to be for elementary school in Wake County.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

My son is just completing his first year at Poe in the Pre-K program. I am completely in awe at my son's growth and development in this school in just one year. His teacher has over 25 years of experience, and it is truly a joy to watch her interact with these children. Her enthusiasm, warmth and thoughtful guidance has provided my son with a love of learning that I know he will carry with him for a lifetime. He started this year as a 4 year old and was reading and writing by Thanksgiving. But, more than that, he is excited about his work and excited about going to school. My son has made the sweetest group of friends and we as parents have found some life long friends within the Poe community that we truly cherish. I have found the administration and staff to be kind, open, caring and welcoming. Before the school year started, I had concerns about my son's transition, and the principal and asst. principal were both willing to sit down with me to hear and address my concerns, and I was honestly very impressed with that. I so appreciate the support and wonderful experience we have had at Poe and I would highly recommend Poe to any parent.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2014

We've sent two children to Poe and have had a wonderful experience. Our older child has had the opportunity to go through the Montessori program and now take some of the electives as the school transitions to its new format (GT magnet). Our younger child has followed him through the Pre-K/Kindergarten program and established her own identity in a small school. They also have had a wonderful, affordable after-school program. Poe has helped them thrive, and the teachers have genuinely cared for our children.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2014

It is regrettable that this wonderful school has gotten a such a negative review because it is certainly not the school my daughter attends. I am a former educator that is now a Pre-K parent. Starting public school was a scary process for me and difficult to just be a parent. However, my experience at Poe was fantastic from top to bottom. I felt well informed by the teacher and teaching assistant about my child's progress and behavior. I was given conference options twice a year. When I learned about the change in Magnet programs I was able to have personal meeting with the principal so I could make an informed decision. I joined the PTA at the beginning of the year and that allowed me to stay involved in both classroom and whole school activities. The monthly newsletters were wonderful and let me know about upcoming fundraisers, programs and family fun nights. The specials teachers were MAGNIFICANT and provided a variety of experiences that supported a well-rounded education. And it is my expectation that this exceptional learning environment will continue throughout my child's elementary school years AT POE.
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2014

This school has been going downhill tremendously for the past few years. They have dropped the Montessori program and cannot seem to get their stuff together. My child has had a horrible time at this school and is also not being educated in any way. Many of the teachers seem to be quitting and parents are pulling out their children. I DO NOT advise putting your child in this school until they turn things around. They also do not seem to have any of the school events that make school fun for kids. No field day, no family fun nights of note. The communication with parents is horrible (I have to beg for a conference) and nothing comes home.