New Braunfels ISD's Lone Star Early Childhood Center has been named a finalist in the annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Early Childhood Award.

The school is one of five finalists and will receive $5,000 for being named a finalist, according to an NBISD press release.

“Lone Star is so honored to have been selected as one of the state finalists for this award,” Lone Star Principal Heather Salas said in the release. “I couldn’t be more proud of the staff here at Lone Star for the work they do each day to shape the minds and hearts of our little Unicorns!”

Winners of the competition will be announced April 30 in Austin, and the winning school will receive $25,000.

The other four schools named as finalists are Bryan’s House in Dallas, Melinda Webb School in Houston, Austin Achieve Public Schools in Austin and Small Steps Nurturing Center in Houston.


A panel of judges will visit each school to tour the campuses and talk with administration, staff, parents and community members to determine the overall winner.

The award program began in 2002, and H-E-B has since awarded more than $12 million in funding to benefit prekindergarten Texas public schools and to enhance readiness programs for children entering kindergarten.

Lone Star offers a full-day pre-K program to all 4-year-olds living in the NBISD boundaries and serves nearly 300 students.