Best Schools in Cave Creek, Arizona
15 schools · 10 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Cave Creek?
Use this page to compare every school in Cave Creek by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lone Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Cave Creek Unified District (4244). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Black Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Cave Creek Unified District (4244). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Cactus Shadows High School
High · Cave Creek Unified District (4244). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Cave Creek for 2026 are Lone Mountain Elementary School (9.3/10), Black Mountain Elementary School (8.4/10), and Cactus Shadows High School (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
15
9 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$674,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
15
9 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$674,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Cave Creek schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Cave Creek
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 15 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lone Mountain Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Black Mountain Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Cactus Shadows High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Horseshoe Trails Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Desert Willow Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Desert Sun Academy | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Sonoran Trails Middle School | 4.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $123,710
- Median home value
- $674,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 92%
45% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cave Creek compares
Arizona rank
#30 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$124k
174% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
11
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) runs 89% of Cave Creek's public schools
Cave Creek touches 2 districts, but Cave Creek Unified District (4244) is the one most addresses actually attend.
Cave Creek Unified District (4244) accounts for 8 of 9 public schools (89%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.8 to 9.3 — the spread is inside Cave Creek, not a citywide average.
- Cave Creek Unified District (4244)8 public · 89%
- East Valley Institute of Technology (4516)1 public · 11%
About Schools in Cave Creek, Arizona
Cave Creek, Arizona is home to 15 schools, including 9 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Cave Creek show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Cave Creek is Lone Mountain Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cave Creek is served by 2 school districts: Cave Creek Unified District (4244), East Valley Institute of Technology (4516). These districts collectively serve 4,520 students.
Cave Creek's community shows 53% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $123,710. The poverty rate in the area is 5.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 445 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 492 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.4 | ||
| 3 | 416 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.5 | ||
| 4 | 397 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.6 | ||
| 5 | 241 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Dynamite MontessoriPrivate 75 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Annunciation Catholic SchoolPrivate 245 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 56 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Cave Creek MontessoriPrivate 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Primrose School at TatumPrivate 27 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 639 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,566 students · 8th–12th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 1 students · 10th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Carefree Christian AcademyPrivate 71 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Cave Creek
Cave Creek, Arizona · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$123,710
Median Home Value
$674,400
Median Rent
$2,535/mo
Population
31,866
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
92%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Community Profile
Cave Creek has a median household income of $123,710. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $674,400, with a median rent of $2,535/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Arizona
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Cave Creek, Arizona
How many schools are in Cave Creek, Arizona?
Cave Creek has 15 schools, including 9 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cave Creek is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Cave Creek on MySchoolScout is Lone Mountain Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cave Creek on MySchoolScout is Lone Mountain Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Cave Creek on MySchoolScout is Sonoran Trails Middle School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
What is the best high school in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Cave Creek on MySchoolScout is Cactus Shadows High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Cave Creek, Arizona?
Cave Creek is served by 2 school districts: Cave Creek Unified District (4244), East Valley Institute of Technology (4516).
What is the education level in Cave Creek, Arizona?
According to Census data, 53% of adults in Cave Creek have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The median household income in Cave Creek is approximately $123,710 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cave Creek, Arizona?
Yes, Cave Creek has 6 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Carefree Christian Academy with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cave Creek, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cave Creek is 13.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cave Creek, Arizona?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arizona Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.