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 2025-26 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,648 students in Cave Creek Unified District (4244). This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in Arizona.
Public Elementary Schools in Cave Creek Unified District (4244) have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the Arizona public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public elementary school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (AZ)
# Schools
8 Schools
1,641 Schools
# Students
4,214 Students
760,671 Students
# Teachers
241 Teachers
33,869 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Cave Creek Unified District (4244), which is ranked within the top 20% of all 601 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
24%
Graduation Rate
93%
77%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.36
0.66
% American Indian
n/a
5%
% Asian
2%
4%
% Hispanic
14%
47%
% Black
1%
6%
% White
79%
33%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,148 is higher than the state median of $11,429. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,616 is higher than the state median of $11,331. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$55 MM
$12,837 MM
Spending
$49 MM
$12,727 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,148
$11,429
Spending / Student
$11,616
$11,331
Best Cave Creek Unified District (4244) Public Elementary Schools (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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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%
Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.

Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.

NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here’s what parents and educators need to know.