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Excellent

#44 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 2% in state

Cherokee Elementary School

Elementary School · Scottsdale Unified District (4240)

8801 N 56TH ST, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Enrollment

673

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paradise Valley

#2 of 3

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#41 of 1,216

In district

#2 of 30

Scottsdale Unified District (4240)

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Cherokee Elementary School

Cherokee Elementary School is a regular public school in Paradise Valley, Arizona, serving 673 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. With a composite score of 9.3/10 and a rating of Exceptional, it ranks among the strongest elementary schools in the state — and the data backs that up clearly. Cherokee ranks 19th out of 2,002 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of Arizona schools overall.

Among elementary schools specifically, it places 18th out of 1,218 — a top 1.5% finish in a large, competitive field. Its academic score of 9.8/10 is the primary driver behind that rank, and a growth score of 9.3/10 shows students are advancing at a consistently high rate, not just performing well on a single measure. A student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 keeps class sizes manageable across the full PK–5 span.

Within Paradise Valley itself, Cherokee holds the second spot among three public schools, making it a strong local option for families in the area. For parents prioritizing academic performance, the combination of near-ceiling academics and consistent student growth makes Cherokee one of the most complete elementary options in Arizona.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Overall Proficiency81%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+32.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,802

Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 81.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
81%
ELA
80%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Cherokee Elementary School Compares

See how Cherokee Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
98th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Location

8801 N 56TH ST, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kiva Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Desert Shadows Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Scottsdale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sequoya Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Scottsdale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Paradise Valley, see our Paradise Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Scottsdale Country Day School Scottsdale 1.1 mi 6.0
THE JONES-GORDON SCHOOL Paradise Valley 1.0 mi 7.4
CHAPARRAL CHRISTIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Scottsdale 1.5 mi
BLESSED SACRAMENT PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Scottsdale 1.8 mi
Chaparral High School Scottsdale 1.8 mi 8.3
Sequoya Elementary School Scottsdale 2.1 mi 8.0
Cocopah Middle School Scottsdale 2.0 mi 7.8
BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY Scottsdale 2.0 mi 6.6
Accelerated Learning Center Phoenix 2.2 mi 4.2
RAINBOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL - CACTUS Scottsdale 2.4 mi
IGNITE LEARNING ACADEMY Scottsdale 2.5 mi 6.3
Desert Shadows Elementary School Scottsdale 2.8 mi 9.1
Desert Shadows Middle School Scottsdale 2.8 mi 7.9
GATEWAY ACADEMY Phoenix 2.4 mi 7.6
Montessori Academy Paradise Valley 2.9 mi 4.0
COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Phoenix 2.6 mi
FUSION SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale 2.6 mi 6.5
DESERT VIEW LEARNING CENTER Paradise Valley 3.1 mi 4.8
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Paradise Valley 3.1 mi 5.5
Kiva Elementary School Paradise Valley 3.3 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$182,150

Median Home Value

$2,000,001

Median Rent

$1,935/mo

Population

17,202

College Educated

70.7%

Homeownership

84.4%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

54

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Elementary School 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anna Marie Jacobson Elementary School Chandler, AZ 8.9
Canyon Rim Elementary Mesa, AZ 8.9
Mountain Shadows Elementary School Glendale, AZ 8.9
Redfield Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ 8.9
Wildfire Elementary School Phoenix, AZ 8.9
Dove Mountain K-8 Marana, AZ 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Elementary School

What grades does Cherokee Elementary School serve?

Cherokee Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

Cherokee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 673 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Elementary School rank in AZ?

Cherokee Elementary School is ranked #44 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cherokee Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Elementary School has 81.7% math proficiency and 82.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cherokee Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cherokee Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cherokee Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,069/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paradise Valley). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
673
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
District Enrollment
20,940
Schools in District
30
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,306
District Rank
#2 of 30

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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