Best Schools in Paradise Valley, Arizona
7 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Paradise Valley?
Use this page to compare every school in Paradise Valley 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.
Cherokee Elementary School
Elementary · Scottsdale Unified District (4240). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Kiva Elementary School
Elementary · Scottsdale Unified District (4240). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Montessori Academy
Elementary · Montessori Academy Inc. (80011). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Paradise Valley for 2026 are Cherokee Elementary School (8.5/10), Kiva Elementary School (6.7/10), and Montessori Academy (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
7
3 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
3 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$2,000,001
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Paradise Valley schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Paradise Valley
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherokee Elementary School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Kiva Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Montessori Academy | 5.8 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $182,150
- Median home value
- $2,000,001
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 71%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 84%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Paradise Valley compares
Arizona rank
#28 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$182k
256% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
7
Scottsdale Unified District (4240) runs 67% of Paradise Valley's public schools
Paradise Valley touches 2 districts, but Scottsdale Unified District (4240) is the one most addresses actually attend.
Scottsdale Unified District (4240) accounts for 2 of 3 public schools (67%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.8 to 8.5 — the spread is inside Paradise Valley, not a citywide average.
- Scottsdale Unified District (4240)2 public · 67%
- Montessori Academy Inc. (80011)1 public · 33%
About Schools in Paradise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley, Arizona is home to 7 schools, including 3 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley is Cherokee Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Paradise Valley is served by 2 school districts: Montessori Academy Inc. (80011), Scottsdale Unified District (4240). These districts collectively serve 21,056 students.
Paradise Valley's community shows 71% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $182,150. The poverty rate in the area is 5.7%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 673 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 562 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 3 | 116 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.8 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Christ Church SchoolPrivate 46 students · Pre-K–3rd | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Desert View Learning CenterPrivate 98 students · Kindergarten–4th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix Country Day SchoolPrivate 730 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | The Jones-Gordon SchoolPrivate 166 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley, Arizona · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$182,150
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$1,935/mo
Population
17,202
College Educated
71%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Community Profile
Paradise Valley has a median household income of $182,150. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $1,935/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 5
- Other
- 2
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 Paradise Valley, Arizona
How many schools are in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
Paradise Valley has 7 schools, including 3 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Paradise Valley is 6.7 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 Paradise Valley, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Paradise Valley on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Paradise Valley on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Paradise Valley, Arizona?
Paradise Valley is served by 2 school districts: Montessori Academy Inc. (80011), Scottsdale Unified District (4240).
What is the education level in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
According to Census data, 71% of adults in Paradise Valley have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
The median household income in Paradise Valley is approximately $182,150 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
Yes, Paradise Valley has 4 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Phoenix Country Day School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Paradise Valley, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Paradise Valley is 10.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Paradise Valley, 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.
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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.