The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Science. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Montvale Elementary
Montvale Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of Blount County Schools. It sits in Maryville, the county seat of Blount County, a city that mixes residential neighborhoods, a historic downtown corridor along Broadway, and a private liberal arts college. The foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains define the southern horizon, and the city has seen steady growth over recent decades. Downtown Maryville went through a period of decline in the 1970s when retail moved elsewhere, but revitalization efforts since the 2000s have worked to reverse that. Major local employers include manufacturing firms like Denso and Arconic, healthcare systems, and the public school districts themselves.
The school itself is modest in size for an elementary campus, with an enrollment that runs small through each grade from kindergarten to fifth. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, two or more races, and American Indian students. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch was not reported, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so it is not possible to assess the level of economic need or the extent of these support populations at this school.
State testing data from the 2024-25 school year is available for math, English language arts, and science. Participation rates were high. The proportion of students scoring at the proficient level or above was moderate in science and lower in math and English. When compared with other school districts within Blount County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects placed in the bottom portion of that small group. This means that on state assessments, Montvale Elementary’s results were lower than those reported by the other districts operating in the county. Social studies results are from 2017-18 and the test has since changed, so they are not a current measure.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline was provided. The district brief did not identify any recent large-scale changes that would directly affect families at this school.
Housing in the school’s zip code is valued above both the statewide and national medians, and rents follow a similar pattern. This suggests a moderately priced market relative to the broader region, though the cost of buying is high relative to local incomes. The surrounding area includes a mix of older downtown structures, mid-century commercial strips, and residential subdivisions. Parks and a paved greenway connecting Maryville to Alcoa provide recreational space.
For families considering this school, the picture is a straightforward one: a small elementary in a growing city near the mountains, part of a county district with other elementary feeders. State test performance has been lower than that of neighboring districts, a point a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand what supports are in place. The absence of data on poverty, special education, and English learner programs leaves some open questions about the full range of student needs and services.
See more original research from School Decision →