Roughrider Academy

Roughrider Academy in Center, TX, is a small alternative high school serving 43 students in grades 9-12 within the Center Independent School District (Isd), located in a rural, low-income area where 60-76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out for its exceptional ability to keep students on track to graduate. It has achieved a perfect 0% dropout rate for five consecutive years, outperforming nearby Center High School (0.3% dropout) and San Augustine High School (0.6% dropout). Roughrider Academy also boasts a high graduation rate between 92% and 97%, and has ranked in the 95th percentile statewide for serving at-risk students and the 97th percentile for special education students. However, its academic test scores on state exams are consistently below district and state averages—for example, only 33% of students were proficient in English II Reading compared to 48% in the district and 60% statewide. This reflects the school’s mission: prioritizing student retention and graduation over high test scores, which is a deliberate and effective strategy for its target population.

The school’s small size creates both strengths and volatility. Its low student-teacher ratio of 11:1 allows for intensive, individualized support, and per-student spending ($15,458) is significantly higher than at Garrison High School ($12,710). However, this small enrollment causes dramatic swings in state rankings—from the 74th percentile one year to the 16th the next—because a single cohort of students can shift the school’s average. Compared to Garrison High School, which excels in test scores, Roughrider Academy offers a different kind of success: it serves as a specialized safety net for students who might not thrive in traditional settings, proving that for many, a diploma is the most important measure of achievement.