Original Research by School Decision on Roughrider Academy
Roughrider Academy is a small alternative high school in Center, in rural East Texas. It enrolls only students in grades nine through twelve and operates as a public alternative school, not a charter. The school has an enrollment in the low single digits by grade, with the largest classes in grades eleven and twelve. This is a very small setting, which affects both the texture of the place and how you read the data it reports.
Alternative schools serve students who have not thrived in traditional settings, often due to disciplinary histories, academic struggles, attendance problems, or other barriers. Roughrider Academy's student composition reflects this. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating economic need in the population it serves. The racial and ethnic makeup is predominantly white, with Hispanic students also well represented, and smaller numbers of Black, Asian, and Native American students. The school reported no students in two or more races, though this may reflect how the data was collected rather than the actual composition of the student body.
The school reported testing results for the most recent school year. In English language arts, a strong majority of students reached the "approaches proficiency" level, and roughly half reached the "meets proficiency" standard. No students reached the "masters" level in ELA. Science results were notably stronger: all students approached proficiency, about half met the standard, and a meaningful share achieved mastery. Mathematics results were suppressed by the state, typically because the number of test-takers falls below the threshold needed to report reliable data, which is consistent with a school this size.
What makes this place different from a traditional high school is its alternative mission. Students here are typically working toward a diploma while addressing barriers that kept them from success elsewhere. The strengths are that the school is available, that it serves a population that might otherwise not graduate, and that science results show a pathway to solid achievement in at least one subject. The soft spots are the lower ELA mastery rate and the suppressed math data, which itself signals a very small cohort. A parent or student considering Roughrider Academy should discuss directly with the school how it handles math instruction and assessment, what support services it offers, and what the typical pathway to graduation looks like for the students it admits.
Center ISD, the district that operates the school, approved a bond measure a few years ago for new athletic and event facilities, which speaks to ongoing district investment. The local housing market in the Center area is modestly valued relative to state and national benchmarks, and home values have edged downward slightly in recent months. The area faces broader economic conditions typical of rural East Texas, with employment levels stable but median incomes below the national average.
Roughrider Academy exists to serve a real need: students who need a second pathway to graduation. It is small, deliberately designed for an alternative population, and delivers results in at least some subjects. It is not a comprehensive high school, and parents should approach it with clear understanding of its purpose and a willingness to engage directly with the school about how it will support their student's specific needs and goals.
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