The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in Science. The lowest is 53% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Koontz Intermediate
Koontz Intermediate is a fifth- and sixth-grade school in Asheville serving a school population of about that size. The school sits in one of the state's most economically stressed communities: virtually all its students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting both the poverty level in parts of Asheville and the broader economic pressures bearing down on the city after Tropical Storm Helene. The student body is majority white, with meaningful shares of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and multiracial students, and generally reflects Asheville's residential demographics. No data was available on the school's special education or English learner population.
Academically, Koontz's performance is below the typical school across Buncombe County districts in overall proficiency. On the most recent state tests, about half the students scored proficient or above in English Language Arts, and the math proficiency rate was similarly at about half. Science proficiency ran somewhat higher, though that assessment changed in name and scoring rules from prior years, so year-to-year comparison there is not straightforward. The school is positioned in the bottom quartile of Buncombe County schools on overall proficiency, meaning a parent evaluating Koontz should recognize that the school's academic results are below the county median. A parent might want to look into this further with the school directly: what supports does the school offer to struggling readers and mathematicians, and what has the school's trajectory been in past years.
The broader context matters substantially here. Tropical Storm Helene struck in September 2024 and forced district-wide closures with no initial reopening date. Buncombe County Schools has outlined roughly nine figures in capital needs across its buildings, some of which are many decades old. The district pulled a school bond referendum that had been discussed for 2026 and is now aiming for a 2028 vote. The district also completed a state-mandated feasibility study on merging Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools, delivered in January 2025; the independent report recommended the two districts remain separate, with no significant cost savings or consistent academic advantage found in consolidation. For families considering a move to Asheville, the district faces infrastructure and recovery needs that will likely influence school conditions and possibly property taxes in the years ahead.
Housing in Asheville is under severe pressure and expensive relative to regional income. Home values have declined modestly year over year, but median rents remain substantial. The city is projected to need a significant number of new homes by mid-century, and Helene accelerated housing demand further. Federal recovery funding and state rebuilding programs are channeling money toward affordable housing, but vacancy is tight. Asheville itself is a mid-sized mountain city with a walkable downtown built around retail, restaurants, breweries, galleries, and hotels, surrounded by distinct neighborhoods. Civic life is anchored in a traditional downtown with Pack Square Park as the central gathering space and Pack Memorial Library serving as the main branch of the county library system. Public transit exists through a city bus system with limited evening and Sunday hours. The employment base is anchored by healthcare through Mission Health, advanced manufacturing, and tourism.
See more original research from School Decision →