For the 2025-26 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 4,215 students in Cave Creek, AZ (there are 7 private schools, serving 914 private students). 82% of all K-12 students in Cave Creek, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 93%). Cave Creek has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Arizona.
The top-ranked public schools in Cave Creek, AZ are Horseshoe Trails Elementary School, Lone Mountain Elementary School and Cactus Shadows High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cave Creek, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 62% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Cave Creek have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cave Creek, AZ (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5405 E. Pinnacle Vista Drive
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 272-8500
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 272-8500
Gr: PK-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #22.
Lone Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5250 E. Montgomery Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 437-3000
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 437-3000
Gr: PK-6 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Cactus Shadows High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5802 E. Dove Valley Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2400
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2400
Gr: 8-12 | 1,566 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
33606 N 60th St
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2100
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2100
Gr: PK-6 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Desert Willow Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4322 E Desert Willow Parkway
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2800
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2800
Gr: PK-6 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
Sonoran Trails Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5555 East Pinnacle Vista Drive
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 272-8600
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 272-8600
Gr: 6-8 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Desert Sun Academy
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27880 N. 64th Street
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2900
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #88.
Cave Creek Academy Of Excellence
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
33016 N 60th St
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2042
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2042
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Evit Cactus Shadows High School
Vocational School
5802 E Dove Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 575-2400
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 575-2400
Gr: 10-12 | 1 student
Cave Creek, Arizona Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
33016 N 60th St
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2013
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2013
Gr: PK
33955 North Cave Creek Rd
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 488-0215
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 488-0215
Gr: K-4 | 42 students Minority enrollment: 24%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cave Creek, AZ?
The top-ranked public schools in Cave Creek, AZ include Horseshoe Trails Elementary School, Lone Mountain Elementary School and Cactus Shadows High School. Cave Creek has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Arizona.
How many public schools are located in Cave Creek?
9 public schools are located in Cave Creek.
What percentage of students in Cave Creek go to public school?
82% of all K-12 students in Cave Creek are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cave Creek?
Cave Creek public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cave Creek are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cave Creek include: Black Mountain Elementary School vs. Lone Mountain Elementary School, Desert Willow Elementary School vs. Lone Mountain Elementary School, Lone Mountain Elementary School vs. Black Mountain Elementary School
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