Top Rankings
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 3,821 students in Cave Creek Unified District (4244). This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in Arizona.
Public Schools in Cave Creek Unified District (4244) 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).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (AZ)
# Schools
8 Schools
2,470 Schools
# Students
3,821 Students
1,108,833 Students
# Teachers
215 Teachers
61,988 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cave Creek Unified District (4244), which is ranked within the top 20% of all 599 school districts in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has decreased from 94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#77 out of 618 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
40%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
24%
Graduation Rate
93%
77.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)25%
41.2%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.37
0.66
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
5%
% Asian
2%
3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
14%
49%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
% White
78%
33%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,591 is higher than the state median of $14,457. The school district revenue/student has grown by 42% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,439 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has grown by 40% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$60 MM
$16,030 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$51 MM
$15,378 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$15,591
$14,457
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$13,439
$13,869
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Cave Creek Unified District (4244) Public Schools (2026-27)
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 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 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 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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 | 1,362 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
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 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
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 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
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 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
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 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
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 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Cave Creek Unified District (4244)?
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) manages 8 public schools serving 3,821 students.
What is the rank of Cave Creek Unified District (4244)?
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) is ranked #76 out of 599 school districts in Arizona (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Arizona school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Cave Creek Unified District (4244)?
78% of Cave Creek Unified District (4244) students are White, 14% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Cave Creek Unified District (4244)?
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What is Cave Creek Unified District (4244)'s spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,439 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has grown by 40% over four school years.
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.
