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Very Good

#526 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 26% in state

Sonoran Trails Middle School

Middle School · Cave Creek Unified District (4244)

PO BOX 426, Cave Creek, AZ 85327

Enrollment

639

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cave Creek

#4 of 7

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#40 of 218

In district

#4 of 7

Cave Creek Unified District (4244)

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Sonoran Trails Middle School

Sonoran Trails Middle School serves 639 students in grades 6-8 in Cave Creek, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1 and 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #429 out of 2,029 schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile among Arizona schools. Academically, Sonoran Trails shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 56% of students achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels.

Math performance reaches 46% proficiency, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. The school's overall academic score of 8.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. As a regular public middle school, Sonoran Trails provides the essential transitional experience between elementary and high school years, helping students develop both academically and socially during these formative grades.

The school's manageable size allows for meaningful student-teacher relationships while maintaining diverse programming opportunities. Sonoran Trails Middle School is situated in a rural setting near the town of Cave Creek, offering students a more intimate educational environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to community resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sonoran Trails Middle 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 Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,436

Sonoran Trails Middle School — Students at Sonoran Trails Middle School score 51% 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 50.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.3%
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
58%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
56%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Sonoran Trails Middle School Compares

See how Sonoran Trails Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Location

PO BOX 426, Cave Creek, AZ 85327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sonoran Trails Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sky Crossing Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fireside Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wildfire Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.1 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 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School Cave Creek 0.3 mi 6.4
DYNAMITE MONTESSORI Cave Creek 1.0 mi 8.5
Desert Sun Academy Cave Creek 1.0 mi 5.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT TATUM Cave Creek 1.2 mi
Lone Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 2.2 mi 7.2
Desert Willow Elementary School Cave Creek 2.9 mi 7.8
Desert Trails Elementary School Phoenix 3.1 mi 8.4
Wildfire Elementary School Phoenix 3.1 mi 8.9
Explorer Middle School Phoenix 3.4 mi 7.4
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cave Creek 3.6 mi 5.8
Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 3.7 mi 8.5
EVIT Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek 3.7 mi
Cave Creek Academy of Excellence Cave Creek 3.7 mi
QUALITY INTERACTIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cave Creek 3.8 mi 5.9
Candeo North Scottsdale Scottsdale 3.6 mi 8.0
BELLA VISTA COLLEGE PREPRATORY SCHOOL Scottsdale 3.9 mi 5.7
Black Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek 4.1 mi 7.9
Pinnacle Peak Preparatory Phoenix 3.9 mi 8.1
Fireside Elementary School Phoenix 4.2 mi 9.0
Sky Crossing Elementary School Phoenix 4.1 mi 9.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alice Vail Middle School Tucson, AZ 7.2
Desert Canyon Middle School Scottsdale, AZ 7.2
Kyrene Aprende Middle School Chandler, AZ 7.2
Kyrene Middle School Tempe, AZ 7.2
Paul H Huber Jr High School Douglas, AZ 7.2
Royal Palm Middle School Phoenix, AZ 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sonoran Trails Middle School

What grades does Sonoran Trails Middle School serve?

Sonoran Trails Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sonoran Trails Middle School?

Sonoran Trails Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonoran Trails Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sonoran Trails Middle School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sonoran Trails Middle School rank in AZ?

Sonoran Trails Middle School is ranked #526 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Sonoran Trails Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sonoran Trails Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Sonoran Trails Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sonoran Trails Middle School has 50.7% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sonoran Trails Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sonoran Trails Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sonoran Trails Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
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

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