Very Good
#283 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 14% in state
Desert Willow Elementary School
Elementary School · Cave Creek Unified District (4244)
PO BOX 427, Cave Creek, AZ 85327
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cave Creek
#3 of 7
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#220 of 1,216
In district
#3 of 7
Cave Creek Unified District (4244)
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Willow Elementary School
Desert Willow Elementary School stands out as one of Arizona's top-performing elementary schools, serving 397 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Cave Creek. With its impressive state ranking of 61st out of 2,029 Arizona schools, placing it in the 97th percentile, this regular public school has earned an 8.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7 to 1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention.
Academic achievement is particularly strong, with 66% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 57% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These solid academic results contribute to the school's exceptional 8.9 out of 10 academic score. Desert Willow Elementary's success reflects the dedication of its educational team and the engagement of its school community.
The school's consistent high performance across grade levels demonstrates its commitment to providing quality elementary education that prepares students for future academic challenges. Located within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, Desert Willow Elementary serves families in the Cave Creek community who value academic excellence and strong foundational learning.
Score Breakdown
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Desert Willow Elementary School — Students at Desert Willow Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.3/10.
How Desert Willow Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Willow Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 66% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 427, Cave Creek, AZ 85327
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Willow Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sky Crossing Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wildfire Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DYNAMITE MONTESSORI (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cave Creek, see our Cave Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 miSimilar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BASIS Scottsdale Primary - East Campus Scottsdale, AZ | 7.8 |
| Center for Academic Success #5 - Sierra Vista K-8 Sierra Vista, AZ | 7.8 |
| Ironwood Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 7.8 |
| Kyrene Monte Vista School Phoenix, AZ | 7.8 |
| Mesa Verde Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 7.8 |
| Val Vista Lakes Elementary School Gilbert, AZ | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #283 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Willow Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Willow Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Desert Willow Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Willow Elementary School has 60.0% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 575-2800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cave Creek Unified District (4244)- District Enrollment
- 4,214
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,626
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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