Original Research by School Decision on Richard Milburn Alter High School (killeen)
Richard Milburn operates as a statewide open-enrollment charter network focused on dropout recovery and credit recovery. The Killeen campus is one of nine locations across Texas, serving students in grades nine through twelve who have fallen off track in traditional schools. This is an alternative education model, not a neighborhood comprehensive high school.
The student body at this campus is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial portion identifying as Black or White. The enrollment sits at roughly fourteen hundred students spread across four grade levels, with freshman enrollment somewhat smaller than the other grades. Demographic data on free-and-reduced-price lunch eligibility and special populations like English learners or students with IEPs are not available in the system.
On state assessments in 2024-25, performance is mixed. The school reaches the "approaches grade level" standard in science and social studies at rates that exceed the "approaches" baseline in English and math. In English language arts, proficiency at the "approaches" level sits at a modest point; in mathematics, it falls further. When students reach the higher tiers of mastery, the numbers contract significantly. Science shows stronger ground-level proficiency, though advanced performance remains low across all subjects. A parent may want to look into what these scores reflect about the population served and the school's instructional focus.
The school operates under a Universal Breakfast Program beginning in the 2025-26 school year, providing free breakfast to all students regardless of family income. For families considering an alternative pathway, this removes a recurring cost barrier.
Publicly reported data shows the network earned an overall C in 2024-25 state accountability ratings. The four-year graduation rate for the district sits well below the statewide average, reflecting its role as a recovery-focused program. This gap is by design. The network explicitly targets students at risk of dropping out, meaning low graduation rates in conventional terms mask the school's actual mission: re-engaging students who have already left or are close to leaving the system. Parents considering this path should understand that success here is measured differently than at traditional high schools. For students who have struggled, experienced gaps, or face barriers to completion elsewhere, this model offers a second pathway.
Richard Milburn operates as an open-enrollment charter, meaning it levies no local property taxes. Families moving into any of its service areas carry no school-district property-tax obligation tied to this charter. The network has expanded recently, with two campuses relocating to new buildings in 2024, suggesting a commitment to growth and facility improvement.
Among Bexar County's school districts, chronic absenteeism across the network sits in the bottom quartile, a metric worth discussing directly with the school about how attendance is monitored and supported. Per-pupil spending falls in the lower range compared to other county districts, though this reflects the charter operating model and should be weighed against tuition costs if any apply.
A parent choosing this school is choosing an alternative structure designed for a specific population: students who have fallen behind, stopped attending, or need flexibility and accelerated credit recovery to earn a diploma. The academic results on state tests show ground-level proficiency gaps, particularly in English and math. Whether that reflects the entry point of students or the program's instructional approach is a conversation to have with school leadership. This is not the option for families seeking a traditional comprehensive high school experience; it is the option for families seeking a second chance.
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