[4] In 2014, J. Howard Johnston and Ronald Williamson described Milby's neighborhood as "one of the most impoverished parts of Houston".

Originally a predominately non-Hispanic White school, Milby became mostly Hispanic as the population of the East End area increased.

After the movie was completed, the sign on the exterior of the school that had been in disrepair was replaced with a new one by the production company.

[10] On November 14, 1991, 18-year-old Francisco Contreras received four gunshot wounds in his feet and leg outside of the cafeteria at Milby.

Due to the overcrowding, by that month Houston ISD trustees approved a plan to open a new high school in September 1995 instead of in 1997.

[17][18][19] In turn Milby absorbed attendance areas from Austin and Furr high schools.

[17][18][20][21] In 2007, Johns Hopkins University referred to Milby as a "dropout factory," where at least 40 percent of the entering freshman class does not make it to their senior year.

[22] During that year, 20 percent of high schoolers zoned to Milby chose to attend a different Houston ISD school.

The original 1926 building, made of concrete and brick, will remain, while other portions have been demolished and replaced with new construction.

The school had established a new track and football field, and acquired neighboring property to make room for new additions.

[7] As of 2012, Milby offers technical English courses meant to improve comprehension of non-fiction texts.

[37] The Texas Education Agency specified that parents and/or guardians of students zoned to a school with uniforms could apply for a waiver to opt out of the policy so their children did not have to wear the uniform;[38] parents were required to specify "bona fide" reasons, such as religious reasons or philosophical objections.

By 1998 extracurricular clubs in general had declined since many students were too busy to participate; by then many of them had after-school jobs.

[7] Historically, the player on the football team considered to be the most valuable would receive the Looney Trophy.

The previous Girls' Booster Club declined due to a decreasing number of students, and ended in 1994.

[18] Prior to the opening of Chávez, Milby served the communities of Park Place and Glenbrook Valley.