Excellent
#4 of 225 private schools in AZ
Top 1% of private schools
Dynamite Montessori
Elementary School
28807 N 53RD ST, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AZ statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher
2.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher
2.9:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Cave Creek
#1 of 4
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#2 of 118
About Dynamite Montessori
Dynamite Montessori serves 39 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Cave Creek's upscale suburban community. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 2.9:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and instruction. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 38th out of 225 elementary schools statewide and earning a 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 84th percentile among Arizona schools.
This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within the Montessori educational philosophy. As a regular public school offering Montessori education, Dynamite provides families with an alternative approach to traditional elementary instruction while remaining part of the public school system. The intimate school size creates a close-knit learning environment where teachers can develop strong relationships with each student and family.
The school serves an affluent area where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $117,938. Located in Cave Creek's large suburban setting, Dynamite Montessori operates within a community that strongly values education and provides students with the stability of low poverty rates and engaged families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 39 students, Dynamite Montessori is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 2.9:1, Dynamite Montessori offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Dynamite Montessori operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $4,070
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $4,938
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.21x — Strong
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $80,386
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 39 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Dynamite Montessori compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Cave Creek, AZ
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dynamite Montessori (this school) | 8.5 |
| Horseshoe Trails Elementary School | 6.4 |
| Lone Mountain Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Desert Sun Academy | 5.7 |
| Desert Willow Elementary School | 7.8 |
| Cave Creek Academy of Excellence | — |
| Black Mountain Elementary School | 7.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
28807 N 53RD ST, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dynamite Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sky Crossing Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fireside Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wildfire Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cave Creek, see our Cave Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85331 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,710
Median Home Value
$674,400
Median Rent
$2,535/mo
Population
31,866
College Educated
53.4%
Homeownership
92.4%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
51.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dynamite Montessori has a median household income of $123,710. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $674,400, with a median rent of $2,535/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Tsinaabaas Habitiin Elementary School Tuba City, AZ | 8.6 |
| PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C Goodyear, AZ | 8.2 |
| Mexicayotl Academy Tucson, AZ | 8.1 |
| Pine Springs Day School Houck, AZ | 8.1 |
| Pinon Community School Pinon, AZ | 8.1 |
| Young Elementary School Young, AZ | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dynamite Montessori
What grades does Dynamite Montessori serve?
Dynamite Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Dynamite Montessori?
Dynamite Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dynamite Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at Dynamite Montessori is 2.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Dynamite Montessori rank in AZ?
Dynamite Montessori is ranked #4 out of 225 private schools in AZ.
What is Dynamite Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
Dynamite Montessori has a composite rating of 8.5 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.
Is Dynamite Montessori a private school?
Yes, Dynamite Montessori is a private all-boys school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Dynamite Montessori a religious school?
No, Dynamite Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 39
- Gender Split
- 100% M / 0% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 2.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- all-boys
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 210 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- MARICOPA
- Phone
- (480) 563-5710
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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