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Average

#904 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 45% in state

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School

Elementary School · Cave Creek Unified District (4244)

PO BOX 426, Cave Creek, AZ 85327

Enrollment

416

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cave Creek

#6 of 7

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#582 of 1,216

In district

#6 of 7

Cave Creek Unified District (4244)

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Horseshoe Trails Elementary School

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School serves 416 students in grades PK through 6 in Cave Creek, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking 30th among Arizona's 2,029 schools, this public school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 99th percentile statewide. The school's academic excellence is evident in its strong test performance, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 69% meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts and reading.

These impressive results reflect the quality instruction provided by 25 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 16.6 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention and support. Horseshoe Trails Elementary's commitment to academic rigor and student success has earned it an outstanding academic score of 9.6 out of 10, demonstrating consistent high performance across grade levels. The school's prekindergarten through sixth-grade program provides a comprehensive foundation for students' educational journey.

Located in the scenic Cave Creek area of Maricopa County, Horseshoe Trails Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, offering students a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,436

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School — Students at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 77.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
85%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
69%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Horseshoe Trails Elementary School Compares

See how Horseshoe Trails Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
55th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Location

PO BOX 426, Cave Creek, AZ 85327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horseshoe Trails Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sky Crossing Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fireside Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wildfire Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cave Creek, see our Cave Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Sonoran Trails Middle School Cave Creek 0.3 mi 7.2
DYNAMITE MONTESSORI Cave Creek 1.0 mi 8.5
PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT TATUM Cave Creek 0.9 mi
Desert Sun Academy Cave Creek 1.3 mi 5.7
Lone Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 2.1 mi 7.2
Desert Willow Elementary School Cave Creek 2.8 mi 7.8
Desert Trails Elementary School Phoenix 3.0 mi 8.4
Wildfire Elementary School Phoenix 3.0 mi 8.9
Explorer Middle School Phoenix 3.3 mi 7.4
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cave Creek 3.5 mi 5.8
Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 3.7 mi 8.5
EVIT Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 3.7 mi
QUALITY INTERACTIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cave Creek 3.7 mi 5.9
Cave Creek Academy of Excellence Cave Creek 3.7 mi
BELLA VISTA COLLEGE PREPRATORY SCHOOL Scottsdale 3.9 mi 5.7
Candeo North Scottsdale Scottsdale 3.8 mi 8.0
Black Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 4.1 mi 7.9
Fireside Elementary School Phoenix 4.1 mi 9.0
Sky Crossing Elementary School Phoenix 4.0 mi 9.2
CAREFREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cave Creek 4.5 mi 6.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arlington Elementary School Arlington, AZ 6.4
Arrowhead Elementary School Glendale, AZ 6.4
Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School Clarkdale, AZ 6.4
Don Mensendick School Glendale, AZ 6.4
Flora Thew Elementary School Tempe, AZ 6.4
Gallego Primary Fine Arts Magnet Tucson, AZ 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horseshoe Trails Elementary School

What grades does Horseshoe Trails Elementary School serve?

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Horseshoe Trails Elementary School?

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horseshoe Trails Elementary School rank in AZ?

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School is ranked #904 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Horseshoe Trails Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Horseshoe Trails Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School has 77.7% math proficiency and 76.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Horseshoe Trails Elementary School a charter school?

No, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Horseshoe Trails Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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