Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0Carefree’s public schools outscore 84% of Arizona districts
On the state math tests, 58% of Carefree’s students scored proficient, above the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carefree, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.
From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Carefree’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 58% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,334 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Sonoran Trails Middle School, then Cactus Shadows High School. Enrollment is down 21% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Carefree’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Arizona school districts, #5 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Carefree, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Carefree
Sonoran Trails Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Phoenix
8th grade in Carefree · depends on your address
Cactus Shadows High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,362 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Scottsdale
Sonoran Trails Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 615 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Phoenix
9th grade in Carefree
Cactus Shadows High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,362 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Scottsdale
10th grade in Carefree
Cactus Shadows High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,362 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Scottsdale
Carefree’s public schools are run by Cave Creek Unified District, which also serves Cave Creek and Scottsdale. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Carefree vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Carefree’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Carefree | A− | Cave Creek Unified District |
| Scottsdale | B+ | Cave Creek Unified District PK–12 · Scottsdale Unified District PK–12 · Phoenix Union High 9–12 |
| Cave Creek | A− | Cave Creek Unified District PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Cave Creek Unified District with Carefree, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Carefree
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Carefree’s schools
Are Carefree’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Carefree children attend outscore 84% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #5 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Carefree in?
Cave Creek Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,821 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
Where do Carefree kids go to high school?
Cactus Shadows High School in Scottsdale, with 1,362 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Carefree’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Cave Creek Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Carefree spend per student?
$10,334 in Cave Creek Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Carefree families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carefree → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.