Celebrating 100 Years of Poe
1928 – 2028
A Century of Ravens. A Legacy for Generations.
For nearly 100 years, Poe Elementary has been more than a school. It has been a place where children learn, families connect, friendships begin, and generations of Houstonians build memories that last a lifetime.
As Poe approaches its centennial, Operation Raven’s Nest is bringing the Poe community together across generations to celebrate our shared history, honor the people and traditions that have shaped the school, and invest in its future.
At the heart of that effort is a place familiar to generations of Ravens: the Poe Elementary SPARK Park Playground. Today, this treasured gathering place needs a new beginning. Our Centennial campaign will support Operation Raven’s Nest, a community-wide campaign to reinvigorate the Poe SPARK Park Playground into a vibrant, inclusive space where students can play, learn, gather, perform, and create memories for generations to come.
HONOR THE PAST · RENEW THE PRESENT · BUILD THE FUTURE
Whether you are a longtime Poe family, proud alum, current parent, neighbor, friend, or someone who believes in the power of a great public school, there is a place for you in Poe’s next 100 years.
The Centennial
Explore the campaign to celebrate where Poe has been — and invest in where it is going.
EXPLORE THE CAMPAIGNThe SPARK Park Playground
Learn about the vision for a renewed gathering place — and the opportunities to build it.
COMING SOONStay in the Loop
Receive centennial updates and share your Poe memories, photos, and stories.
JOIN & SHARE1928 – 2028
Poe’s Centennial
Poe Elementary’s centennial is an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate where we have been — and invest in where we are going.
Poe has been part of the fabric of Houston for nearly a century. Its history includes generations of students and families, notable alumni, beloved traditions, and countless everyday moments that have made Poe a special place.
Today, Poe continues that legacy with a rich and diverse community of approximately 700 students. As one of only 17 International Baccalaureate World Schools in HISD, and a Fine Arts Magnet school integrating art, dance, music, and theatre into daily learning, Poe offers students an education that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a global perspective.
Now, as we celebrate 100 years, we have an opportunity to create something worthy of the next century.
OUR CENTENNIAL FOCUS
A Reimagined Poe SPARK Park Playground
At the center of the Poe community is its playground and SPARK Park — a place where students play, families gather, teachers connect with children outside the classroom, and generations of Ravens have made memories.
But this important community space is showing its age and is in significant disrepair.
The Centennial campaign will help transform Poe’s SPARK Park Playground into a vibrant, welcoming destination for play, athletics, creativity, performance, and community. The new playground and park will create opportunities for children to be active and imaginative, while providing spaces for the entire Poe community to gather and celebrate.
Help us honor Poe’s first 100 years by building something that will serve the next 100.
SUPPORT POE’S CENTENNIAL PLAYGROUND VISION · COMING SOON
Gifts are made through the campaign’s secure OneCause giving page, which opens in a new window.
OPERATION RAVEN’S NEST
Poe Elementary’s SPARK Park Playground
A new gathering place for the next generation of Ravens.
For generations, Poe’s playground and SPARK Park have been at the center of school and community life. The space has hosted playdates and field days, impromptu games and celebrations, family gatherings and countless childhood memories.
Now it is time to renew this treasured gathering place.
Operation Raven’s Nest is raising funds to transform Poe’s SPARK Park Playground into a vibrant, inclusive outdoor destination designed for the students and community of today — and the generations of Ravens to come.
The vision includes spaces for active play and athletics, performance and creativity, reflection and connection, as well as welcoming areas where students, families, alumni, and neighbors can gather.
BUILD THE FUTURE OF POE
Funding & Naming Opportunities
The Centennial campaign offers donors the opportunity to support specific elements of the new park or make a transformational investment in the entire project.
TRANSFORMATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Poe Elementary SPARK Park Playground
$1,500,000
Entire park naming opportunity. A landmark investment supporting the complete vision for Poe’s SPARK Park Playground and creating a lasting legacy for generations of students, families, and the surrounding community.
Signature Naming Opportunities
- Performance StageNAMING OPPORTUNITY $300,000 A dedicated space for school performances, celebrations, student showcases, and community gatherings.
- Baseball FieldNAMING OPPORTUNITY $250,000 A premier athletic space supporting teamwork, recreation, and school spirit.
- “Pause & Reflect” AreaNAMING OPPORTUNITY $250,000 A thoughtfully designed space for quiet reflection, connection, and time outdoors.
- Turf Athletic FieldNAMING OPPORTUNITY $150,000 A versatile turf field for athletics, physical education, recreation, and community activities.
- School Entrance & Art InstallationNAMING OPPORTUNITY $150,000 A creative, welcoming gateway to the campus that celebrates Poe’s Fine Arts identity.
Play Areas & Community Spaces
- Playground Equipment Enhancements$50,000
- Swingset Area$30,000
- Community Play Structure$20,000
- Gaga Ball Pit$15,000
Your Gift Builds More Than a Playground
Every gift helps create a place where children can run, imagine, perform, compete, connect, and simply be kids.
Join us in creating a new SPARK Park Playground — and a lasting legacy for Poe’s next 100 years.
SUPPORT POE’S CENTENNIAL DISCUSS A NAMING GIFT · COMING SOON
POE 100
Stay in the Loop
Help us celebrate 100 years of Poe.
The Poe Centennial belongs to the entire Raven community. We want to hear from alumni, former families, current families, teachers, staff, neighbors, and friends who have been part of Poe’s story.
Sign up to receive updates about Poe 100 celebrations, events, fundraising milestones, and opportunities to reconnect with the Poe community.
SHARE YOUR POE MEMORIES
Your Story Is Part of Poe’s Story
Do you have a favorite teacher? A class picture tucked away in an old album? A story from the playground? A school program, yearbook, team photo, or other piece of Poe history?
We want to hear from you.
Your memories help tell the story of Poe — and ensure that the people, traditions, and moments that have shaped the school are part of its centennial celebration.
SHARE A MEMORY · COMING SOON