Excellent
#214 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 11% in state
Cactus Shadows High School
High School · Cave Creek Unified District (4244) · Cave Creek, AZ
A Cave Creek Unified District (4244) high school where students score 22 points above what's typical for similar communities.
PO BOX 426, Cave Creek, AZ 85327
- Math 73% proficient (2022)
- Reading 71% proficient (2022)
- 96.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Cactus Shadows High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 15 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 72% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 71% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Cactus Shadows High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 6Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 36Somewhat Bikeable
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Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evit Cactus Shadows High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 10–12 | 0.0 mi | 1 | Compare → |
| Cave Creek Academy of ExcellenceEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | K–12 | 0.1 mi | 18 | Compare → |
| Bella Vista College Prepratory SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.7 | 7–12 | 0.3 mi | 79 | Compare → |
| Carefree Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 6.9 | 7–12 | 1.3 mi | 43 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Cave Creek Unified District (4244)
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #3 of 7
- District spending per student
- $9,626NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 3.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Cactus Shadows High School is listed in Cave Creek Unified District (4244); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Cactus Shadows High School
Cactus Shadows High School is a public high school in Cave Creek, AZ, part of Cave Creek Unified District (4244), serving approximately 1,566 students in grades 8th-12th with a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #214 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Cactus Shadows High School
What grades does Cactus Shadows High School serve?
Cactus Shadows High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Cactus Shadows High School?
Cactus Shadows High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,566 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cactus Shadows High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cactus Shadows High School is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cactus Shadows High School rank in AZ?
Cactus Shadows High School ranks #214 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Cactus Shadows High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cactus Shadows High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cactus Shadows High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cactus Shadows High School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Cactus Shadows High School a charter school?
No, Cactus Shadows High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cactus Shadows High School a Title I school?
No, Cactus Shadows High School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,566
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.9%
- Phone
- (480) 575-2400
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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