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A−

Cactus Shadows High School

PublicHighGrades 8–12

5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85266 · (480) 575-2400 · Part of Cave Creek Unified District

Scottsdale’s School Grade B+ better than 74% of Arizona school districts

Directions
Students
1,362
Students per teacher
21:1
Setting
City
Grades
8–12
The gist

What stands out about Cactus Shadows High School

  • Its own letter, A−: reading and math results near the top of Arizona’s public schools
  • Math proficiency 18 pts above the state
  • Reading / language arts 8 pts above the state
  • Larger classes: 21 students per teacher
  • Enrollment down 23.4% since 2020–21

On the path

Where Scottsdale kids come from and go next. The whole path →

7–87 middle schoolsDepends on your address
8–12Cactus Shadows High SchoolYou are here

Test scores

2020–21
Math proficiency49%
State average 31.2%
Reading / language arts46%
State average 38.5%

Its own letter, A−, places these results among Arizona’s 1,781 public schools with results. Source: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Location

Directions ↗

5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Scottsdale

Students

Enrollment by grade
Grade 9305
Grade 10338
Grade 11348
Grade 12371
Enrollment over time
1,779’20
1,776’21
1,588’22
1,566’23
1,362’24

Down 23.4% since 2020–21.

Who goes here
White 80%Hispanic 12%Two or more races 4%Asian 2%Black <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

As reported to NCES, share of students with a reported race or ethnicity.

Parents talk

Questions and answers about Cactus Shadows High School from Scottsdale families.

Other schools in Cave Creek Unified District

The district →
Black Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Scottsdale
A
496 students16:1
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
A+
424 students18:1
Lone Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Cave Creek
A
376 students15:1
Desert Willow Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Cave Creek
A
338 students15:1
Desert Sun Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Scottsdale
A−
191 students13:1
Cave Creek Academy of Excellence
Other · Grades K–12 · Scottsdale
19 students

School facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), 2024–2025 school year. Test scores: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21). A school’s letter is our own summary of its reading and math results against Arizona’s other public schools; Scottsdale’s School Grade is built from its districts’ results. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.