SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Today, H-E-B announced five early childhood facilities, five public school boards, and eight school districts throughout Texas as finalists in the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program.
This year, H-E-B will award $90,000 to the 18 finalists ($5,000 each). All finalists will go on to compete for even greater prizes at the statewide level in May. To determine the winners, a panel of judges will tour each finalist’s campus to engage with administration, staff, parents, and community members. Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at the Hilton Austin where $480,000 in cash awards and grants will be awarded to six teachers, two counselors, two principals, one early childhood facility, a public school board and two school districts for being among the best in Texas.
If selected, one early childhood facility will receive $25,000; one or more school boards will receive up to $25,000; one large school district will receive $100,000; and one small school district will receive $50,000.
Additionally, 50 Texas teacher, counselor, and principal finalists will be announced between January and March during a series of surprise visits to schools and classrooms across the state.
The 2025 early childhood facility, school board, and school district finalists are:
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITIES
- Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Center (Texas City ISD, Texas City)
- Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Early Learners Academy (Mansfield ISD, Arlington)
- Early Childhood Development Center (Corpus Christi ISD, Corpus Christi)
- Gonzales Primary Academy (Gonzales ISD, Gonzales)
- Wylie Early Childhood Center (Wylie ISD, Abilene)
SCHOOL BOARDS
- Clear Creek ISD
- Gregory-Portland ISD
- Lamar CISD
- New Braunfels ISD
- Plano ISD
LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- Mansfield ISD
- Midlothian ISD
- Prosper ISD
- Spring Branch ISD
- Tomball ISD
SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- Lubbock-Cooper ISD
- Medina Valley ISD
- Montgomery ISD
Call for 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Nominations
Nominations for the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are now open to all state-certified public school professionals currently working in Texas. Teachers, counselors, principals, early childhood centers, school boards, and districts can win cash prizes for their outstanding work. Nominations will close on September 28, 2025.
Nominate your favorite Texas educator at heblovesteachers.com/nominate.
About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards
Each year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program awards cash prizes to honor outstanding public-school professionals, and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same.
Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded more than $14 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, counselors, principals, public schools, early childhood centers, school boards, and school districts.
To learn more, visit HEBLovesTeachers.com.