Excellent
#317 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 16% in state
Desert Willow Elementary School
Elementary School · Cave Creek Unified District (4244) · Cave Creek, AZ
A Cave Creek Unified District (4244) elementary school where students score 11 points above what's typical for similar communities.
PO BOX 427, Cave Creek, AZ 85327
- Math 57% proficient (2022)
- Reading 66% proficient (2022)
- 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Desert Willow Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 7 points since 2019, to 62% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 71% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 77% (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 Desert Willow Elementary 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 32Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 55Bikeable
Powered by
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annunciation Catholic SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.8private | K–8 | 1.1 mi | 236 | Compare → |
| Lone Mountain Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.8 | PK–6 | 1.2 mi | 445 | Compare → |
| Quality Interactive Montessori SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.9private | PK–K | 1.9 mi | 56 | Compare → |
| Dynamite MontessoriPrivate · tuition | 8.5private | PK–4 | 2.0 mi | 39 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Cave Creek Unified District (4244)
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #5 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
Desert Willow Elementary School is listed in Cave Creek Unified District (4244); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desert Willow Elementary School
Desert Willow Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cave Creek, AZ, part of Cave Creek Unified District (4244), serving approximately 397 students in grades Pre-K-6th with a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #317 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Desert Willow Elementary School
What grades does Desert Willow Elementary School serve?
Desert Willow Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Willow Elementary School?
Desert Willow Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Willow Elementary School rank in AZ?
Desert Willow Elementary School ranks #317 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Willow Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Willow Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Desert Willow Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Willow Elementary School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Willow Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desert Willow Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Willow Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desert Willow Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.4%
- Phone
- (480) 575-2800
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.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.