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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cave Creek Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 3,828 students in Cave Creek, AZ (there are 6 private schools, serving 742 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Cave Creek, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%). 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 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cave Creek, AZ (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5405 E. Pinnacle Vista Drive
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
5250 E. Montgomery Rd.
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
5802 E. Dove Valley Rd.
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
33606 N 60th St
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
4322 E Desert Willow Parkway
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:
9/
10
Top 20%
5555 East Pinnacle Vista Drive
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
27880 N. 64th Street
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
33016 N 60th St
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 575-2042
Gr: K-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: n/an/a
Evit Cactus Shadows High School
Vocational School
5802 E Dove Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 575-2400
Gr: 10-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 71%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cave Creek, AZ?
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?
89% of all K-12 students in Cave Creek are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cave Creek?
Cave Creek public schools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cave Creek are often viewed compared to one another?

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