The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Montview Elementary School
Montview Elementary School is a regular public school in Huntsville, serving students from prekindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of Huntsville City Schools, the district that covers Alabama’s fastest-growing major city. The school sits in a residential area of Huntsville, a mid-size city whose economy is built on NASA, defense contracting, and advanced manufacturing. That broader context matters because the school district itself serves a wide range of neighborhoods and income levels.
Montview’s student body is small for a PK-through-6 school. The vast majority of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a level of economic need that is high even within a district that includes both affluent and lower-income areas. Racially, the school is predominantly Black, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and a smaller but noticeable multiracial population; very few white or Asian students attend. This composition reflects the neighborhood it draws from and may be a factor families weigh when considering peer environment.
Academically, state assessment results from the 2024-25 school year show a mixed picture with clear soft spots. In third grade, a majority of students met state standards in English language arts, a relative bright spot. But by fourth and fifth grade, ELA proficiency fell to about one in three students. Mathematics performance was low across all tested grades, with proficiency rates declining from roughly one in four third graders to about one in seven fifth graders. Science results, available only for fourth grade, were similarly low. Compared with other districts in Madison County, Montview’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom tier. There is no multi-year trend data available, so it is not possible to say whether performance is improving or declining. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are behind in math and what interventions are in place.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Information on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, and course access was not available in the data reviewed. Those are meaningful gaps for a parent assessing the daily environment.
Housing in the area around Montview is more affordable than the Huntsville metro average. Home values and rents are below the state median, and the local market has seen modest price declines recently. For families renting or buying, this zip code offers one of the lower-cost entry points into Huntsville’s housing market.
At the district level, Huntsville City Schools shifted to a balanced calendar starting in the 2023-24 school year. The first day of school moved to late July or early August, and breaks are distributed more evenly across the year. That change is now permanent and affects scheduling for all district families, including those at Montview.
Montview Elementary serves a high-poverty population and posts academic results that are notably below county averages, particularly in math and science. Its third-grade reading performance is a relative strength but does not carry through to later grades. For a family considering this school, the most pressing question is likely what academic supports and enrichment are available to help students catch up and stay on track. The school’s modest size and neighborhood feel may appeal to families who prefer a closer school community. The affordable housing in the area is an additional practical consideration.
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