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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Dynamite Montessori compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Cave Creek, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
2.9:1
This School
vs
15:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
39
This School
vs
335
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.5
This School
vs
7.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 33.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 25.6% vs 0%
Asian 7.7% vs 0%
Black 2.6% vs 0%
Dynamite Montessori Cave Creek Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 2.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,680
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 10.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 72%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 39
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)

White 33.3%
Hispanic 25.6%
Two or More 25.6%
Asian 7.7%
Native American 5.1%
Black 2.6%

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School Cave Creek 1.0 mi 6.4
PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT TATUM Cave Creek 0.9 mi
Sonoran Trails Middle School Cave Creek 1.0 mi 7.2
Lone Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 1.2 mi 7.2
Desert Sun Academy Cave Creek 1.4 mi 5.7
Desert Willow Elementary School Cave Creek 2.0 mi 7.8
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cave Creek 2.5 mi 5.8
Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 2.7 mi 8.5
EVIT Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 2.7 mi
QUALITY INTERACTIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cave Creek 2.8 mi 5.9
Cave Creek Academy of Excellence Cave Creek 2.8 mi
BELLA VISTA COLLEGE PREPRATORY SCHOOL Scottsdale 2.9 mi 5.7
Black Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 3.1 mi 7.9
Candeo North Scottsdale Scottsdale 3.0 mi 8.0
CAREFREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cave Creek 3.5 mi 6.9
Desert Trails Elementary School Phoenix 4.0 mi 8.4
Wildfire Elementary School Phoenix 3.9 mi 8.9
Explorer Middle School Phoenix 4.2 mi 7.4
Sky Crossing Elementary School Phoenix 4.8 mi 9.2
Fireside Elementary School Phoenix 5.0 mi 9.0

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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