For Southwest ISD seniors, showing up to class this school year could come with an unusually big reward.

The SWISD Attendance Car Giveaway is underway for the Class of 2027, giving eligible seniors the opportunity to earn digital tickets throughout the school year based on attendance. Students who collect enough tickets can qualify for a drawing for a Toyota, while those who fall short of the car giveaway threshold may still be eligible for other prizes.

The contest began Sept. 8, 2026, with North Park Toyota of San Antonio serving as the presenting partner.

For families across the Southwest ISD community, the program adds another incentive to something schools emphasize every year: being in class, staying engaged and making the most of the final year before graduation.

How the SWISD Attendance Car Giveaway Works

The contest is based on attendance in all class periods, meaning seniors are encouraged to be present throughout the entire school day.

Students earn digital tickets based on the number of attendance days they miss during designated attendance periods:

• 0 days missed: 3 digital tickets

• 1 to 2 days missed: 2 digital tickets

• 3 to 4 days missed: 1 digital ticket

To participate in the car giveaway drawing, a senior must earn at least eight digital tickets.

Students who earn fewer than eight tickets will not qualify for the vehicle drawing, but SWISD says they can still be eligible for other prizes.

The district is also offering an opportunity to earn one additional low-attendance-days ticket. To receive that extra ticket, students must attend all designated days tied to that incentive.

Who Is Eligible for the SWISD Senior Car Giveaway?

The giveaway is limited to students assigned to the graduating cohort of 2027.

Students must be designated as seniors by April 1, 2027, to remain eligible for the contest.

Two winners are planned. One vehicle winner will be selected during the Southwest High School Senior Walk, and another will be selected during the Southwest Legacy High School/CAST STEM Senior Walk.

CAST STEM students are included with Southwest Legacy High School for the 2026-2027 school year, with the district planning to alternate high schools in future years.

Some Absences Will Be Treated Differently

Not every absence will count against a student's attendance record for purposes of the giveaway.

According to SWISD, State Exempt absences will not affect attendance days used for the contest.

However, a mandatory placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, or DAEP, including JJAEP, will make a student ineligible for the giveaway opportunity.

Those rules make it especially important for students and families to understand how attendance is being recorded and how eligibility is determined throughout the school year.

Why Attendance Matters Beyond the Prize

A car giveaway naturally gets attention, especially for seniors thinking about college, work and life after graduation. But the program is also built around a broader goal of encouraging students to stay connected to school during a year when schedules can become increasingly busy.

For seniors balancing academics, extracurricular activities, jobs and plans for what comes next, every period attended can now contribute toward both classroom progress and a potential spot in the drawing.

The message behind the program is simple: be present, earn tickets and stay eligible.

As the Class of 2027 moves through its senior year, the attendance challenge gives students one more reason to make each school day count, and for two seniors, that consistency could eventually put them behind the wheel.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Southwest ISD school news, student opportunities and community updates.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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