So, you’re thinking about moving to Cave Creek and wanting to know more about the public school system? You’ve come to the right place! Not only is Cave Creek a wonderful place to live, it has some wonderful schools. I know this from parents I meet in the community and because I was a student in the Cave Creek Unified School District years ago!
Below you can find some great points to start your research. I hope that they help you determine whether or not Cave Creek has the right type of education for you and your family! I’ve used Niche as an independent grading system to make it easier to compare schools. If you haven’t checked them out, you definitely should!
About The Cave Creek Unified School District
The Cave Creek Unified School District is home to seven schools spread around Cave Creek and parts of North Scottsdale. The district has one high school, one middle school and five elementary schools. Many of the Cave Creek schools are known for their strong immersion and accelerated academic programs which is detailed by school below.
Cactus Shadows High School
Cactus Shadows High School is located off of Dove Valley Road in Scottsdale, Arizona near the neighborhoods of La Buena Vida and Lone Mountain. The school enrolls students that are in grades 9 through 12. While it’s the only high school in the district, Cactus Shadows is highly regarded. It’s best known for its International Baccalaureate program and their Career Builder Program.
Niche gives Cactus Shadows an overall grade of a B+. Ranked the 114th best public high school in Arizona.
Sonoran Trails Middle School
Sonoran Trails Middle School is located off of Tatum Road just south of Dynamite Road. They enroll students in grades 6 through 8. Sonoran Trails takes pride in being a World Language School offering Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese. These languages are offered as a daily core course for students in their higher lever grades.
Niche gives Sonoran Trails an overall grade of A-. Ranked 139th best public middle school in Arizona.
Black Mountain Elementary
Black Mountain Elementary School is located off of Carefree Highway and 60th Street near the neighborhoods of La Buena Vida and Lone Mountain. They enroll students from Pre-K all the way through 6th grade. Black Mountain is an enriching school. They place a strong emphasis on performing arts including; music, dance and drama.
Niche gives Black Mountain an overall grade of A-. Ranked the 305th best public elementary school in Arizona.
Desert Sun Academy
Desert Sun Academy is located west of Scottsdale Road just south of Dynamite Road near the neighborhood of Tatum Ranch. They are best known for its French Immersion Program which they place students in as Kindergarteners. They also have a well-developed STEAM program for students which allows them to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Niche gives Desert Sun an overall grade of B+. Ranked the 400th best public elementary school in Arizona.
Desert Willow Elementary
Desert Willow Elementary is located west of Cave Creek Road and South of Lone Mountain Road near the neighborhoods of Dove Valley Ranch and Lone Mountain. The school enrolls students in Pre-K through 6th grade. They are well known for a Spanish Immersion program that is accredited by the Spanish Embassy.
Niche gives Desert Willow an overall grade of A-. Ranked the 238th best public elementary school in Arizona.
Horseshoe Trails Elementary
Horseshoe Trails is an elementary school located east of Tatum Road and south of Dynamite Road just north of the Desert Ridge area. They enroll students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade and offer an accentuated Mandarin Chinese Immersion program.
Niche gives Horseshoe Trails an overall grade of A-. Ranked the 182nd best public elementary school in Arizona.
Lone Mountain Elementary
Lone Mountain is located east of Cave Creek Road and south of Lone Mountain Road and enrolls students from Pre-K to 6th grade. The school sit between the neighborhoods of Tatum Ranch and Lone Mountain. They prides themselves in a robust STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Niche gives Lone Mountain an overall grade of A-. Ranked the 270th best public elementary school in Arizona.
Photo by CDC
