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
Enrollment
673
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 81% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 81% (2019) to 80% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (480) 484-8700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)- District Enrollment
- 20,940
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,306
- District Rank
- #2 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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