Houston Schools and Organizations Named as Houston Schools That Inspire Inaugural Honorees by Good Reason Houston

Initiative recognizes programs inspiring students through Pre-K, career & technical education, and social-emotional learning

Break out your #2 pencils and prepare to jot down some inspiring news! Six Houston-area schools and three non-profits are being recognized for their exceptional work within Houston’s public schools.

Houston Schools That Inspire, led by Good Reason Houston, has just named its nine winners for its inaugural awards program. This initiative aims to showcase the brilliance, beauty, and unwavering commitment to student success within Houston public schools and education organizations. It highlights those leading in the three areas: Pre-K education, setting the stage for academic success; Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs that bridge education with industry and equipping students with both technical and soft skills for future careers; and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives that foster emotional intelligence and social skills. These efforts collectively shape the future of education in Houston.

The 2024 Houston award recipients include:

1. Farias Early Childhood Center: A school where warmth, love, and security fill every moment; where each individual is valued; where students, families, and staff unite as a community to foster great learning.
2. Kujawa Primary: A school where kids light up because they are exposed to new knowledge every day; and one committed to giving students more things to be curious about, using high-quality curriculum to spark curiosity in young learners.
3. YES Prep Airline: A school where adults wholeheartedly believe in the boundless potential of the three and four-year-old students, and where children are empowered to go above and beyond.
4. Impact Leadership Academy: A school where campus culture is rooted in the identities and voices of the students by instilling self-awareness, a sense of purpose and an expanded view of the world while preparing them academically for future success.
5. Marshall Center for Advanced Careers: A school where students converge to immerse themselves in career and technical education; and under the guidance of seasoned instructors, students receive hands-on learning.
6. CE King HS: A school dedicated to ensuring that every student is engaged in meaningful college or career-readiness learning to help them reach their full potential of becoming responsible citizens and lifelong learners.
7. MOVE HTX: An organization that promotes physical activities and group counseling techniques to help students develop the skills to resolve conflict, manage stress, and cope with issues that are prevalent in their lives.
8. 8 Million Stories: An organization that works to empower the lives of at-promise youth (9-24 years old) through education, employment and personal development.
9. Prelude Music Foundation: An organization whose mission is to transform the lives and education of young children through the power of music by making it accessible across the city.

"We are honored to acknowledge these schools and organizations for their remarkable work and consistent commitment to student success through impactful programs,” said Cary Wright, CEO of Good Reason Houston. “The data shows us the importance of how childhood education, emotional intelligence and technical and occupational options for students can change the course of their lives. Our hope is for this program to elevate the great work being done in our Houston schools in an effort to inspire other schools and organizations across the Houston region.”

Houston Schools That Inspire award recipients were recognized on May 14, when Good Reason Houston visited each school and organization to celebrate their achievements and presented awards. A celebration was also held at Farias Early Childhood Center where students, families, and staff engaged in music and movement with Prelude Music Foundation and learned about supporting their students' social emotional wellbeing at home. They also practiced yoga, journaling, and breathing exercises with MOVE HTX.

For more information about the initiative, the outstanding schools and organizations recognized this year and to vote for future honorees, visit www.schoolsthatinspire.org.

ABOUT GOOD REASON HOUSTON

Good Reason Houston is an education nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child, in every neighborhood, excels in a world-class public school and thrives in the Houston of tomorrow. The organization builds awareness of, advocates for, and advises school systems on measures aimed to improve the quality of education available to all. Today the organization partners with 25 public school systems that collectively serve 700,000 students across 900 public schools in the Houston region. Good Reason Houston seeks to cultivate a shared regional vision for educational quality, to build the capacity for change required within districts and the greater Houston community, and to foster collective ownership to support student-level results for kids across our city. Learn more at goodreasonhouston.org.

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