Best Public Schools in Zip Code 76541

Zip code 76541 in Killeen, TX, is home to four schools serving approximately 2,178 students across elementary and high school grades, with a majority of students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The standout school in this area is Priority Charter Schools - Killeen, a small elementary school that dramatically outperforms its local peers. With the smallest class sizes (9.8:1 student-teacher ratio) and the lowest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (51.3%), it achieves the highest math proficiency rates (56.2%) and a 3-star rating from its district. In contrast, Killeen Elementary struggles significantly, with a 0-star rating and the highest poverty rate (81.7%), scoring well below district averages in both reading (28.5%) and math (22.3%). Clifton Park Elementary presents a mixed picture, excelling in reading (49.2% proficiency) but lagging in math (32.1%), suggesting an imbalance in instructional focus. The most concerning school is Richard Milburn Alter H S, an alternative high school in crisis with a 0-star rating, a 24.8% graduation rate, and a 31.6% dropout rate, compounded by a high student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1.

Overall, the data reveals a stark divide in educational quality within this zip code. The charter school model at Priority Charter Schools appears to offer a clear advantage, while the traditional public schools within Killeen Independent School District (Isd) face significant challenges tied to high poverty rates and inconsistent performance. The alternative high school, part of the Richard Milburn Alter High School (Killeen) district, represents a systemic failure point, unable to overcome the immense challenges its students face. Parents should carefully consider these disparities when evaluating school options in this area.