One of the country’s best alternative high schools is being recognized by the country’s favorite grocery store. Garza Independence High School has been selected by H-E-B Excellence in Education to be recognized on its Texas Loves Teachers Tour.

Because Austin ISD’s student population has dropped by more than 5,000 students as a result of COVID-19, dropout prevention has never been more important. Garza High School earned H-E-B’s recognition for its solution-focused approach to dropout prevention and successful programs in work and career transition.

What: In dedication to their hard work, H-E-B will host an appreciation event for 50 teachers and staff at Garza. The event will include $2,500 worth of H-E-B gift card giveaways, branded items, coupon books for free items and more.

When: Friday, April 9 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Garza Independence High School parking lot, 1600 Chicon St.

The tour will stop at 50 Texas school campuses in 50 days. The campuses were voted on by community members in February.

Garza is an award-winning, self-paced high school for 10th to 12th graders. Garza is an open-enrollment, open-exit high school which allows students to work at their own pace to complete their required coursework. The school offers a rigorous curriculum that helps students build life skills, discover personal passions and prepare for bright futures.

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes Garza among 40 schools in the country that exemplify the best practices for improving outcomes for at-risk students. It was also named as one the top five alternative schools in the country by the Stanford University Research Center.

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