H-E-B on Jan. 10 announced eight school districts and five early childhood facilities throughout Texas as finalists in the retailer’s 21st annual Excellence in Education Awards program, including one San Antonio-area school system and two local campuses.

H-E-B also recognized five public school boards in the annual program to highlight the importance of strong leadership at the board level.

H-E-B representatives said the Northside ISD board is one of five school board finalists.

The Brighton Center, a private early childhood development school on the city’s northeast side, and the Pre-K Academy at West Avenue at North East ISD are among the five finalists for early childhood education facilities.

Since the program’s inception, H-E-B has awarded almost $13 million to benefit outstanding Texas public schools, a news release said, adding this year, H-E-B will award a total of $82,500 to the finalists and school boards, who will go on to compete for bigger cash prizes at the statewide level.

Each finalist in the district and early childhood categories and the five recognized school boards will each receive $5,000; the three finalists in the small-district category will receive $5,000, the release said.

To determine overall statewide winners, a panel of judges visits each district, early childhood facility and school board; tours campuses; and visits with administration, staff, parents and community members, the release said.

Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony April 30 at the La Cantera Resort and Spa in San Antonio, the release said.

The winning large district will receive $100,000; the winning small district will receive $50,000; the winning early childhood facility will receive $25,000; and if selected, one or more school boards will receive up to a total of $25,000.

Forty teacher and principal finalists will be announced in February and March during a series of surprise visits to schools and classrooms across Texas, the release said.