| Metric | Paradise Valley Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 27,919 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 45 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↓ 27% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Valley Unified District (this district) | 8/10 | 74th | 27,919 |
| Scottsdale Unified District | 9/10 | 85th | — |
| Scottsdale Unified School District | 9/10 | 85th | 21,177 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 74th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
- Cholla Complex — Grades PK–PK
- Mountain Trail Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 835 students
- Desert Shadows Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 791 students
- Greenway Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 646 students
- Explorer Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 607 students
- Shea Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 476 students
- Sunrise Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 390 students
- Pinnacle High School — Grades 7–12 · 2,430 students
- Paradise Valley High School — Grades 7–12 · 1,900 students
- Horizon High School — Grades 7–12 · 1,767 students
- North Canyon High School — Grades 7–12 · 1,560 students
- Shadow Mountain High School — Grades 7–12 · 1,080 students
- Fireside Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 693 students
- Sky Crossing Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 628 students
- Boulder Creek Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 621 students
- Campo Bello Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 596 students
- Palomino Primary School — Grades PK–6 · 590 students
- Desert Trails Elementary School — Grades PK–7 · 590 students
- Eagle Ridge Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 569 students
- Sonoran Sky Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 567 students
- Desert Shadows Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 554 students
- Indian Bend Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 539 students
- North Ranch Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 535 students
- Quail Run Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 533 students
- Cactus View Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 508 students
- Mercury Mine Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 506 students
- Pinnacle Peak Preparatory — Grades PK–8 · 474 students
- Echo Mountain Primary School — Grades PK–6 · 450 students
- Copper Canyon Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 446 students
- Sandpiper Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 429 students
- Liberty Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 421 students
- Desert Cove Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 414 students
- + 14 more other schools
About Paradise Valley Unified District
Families in zip code 85254 (Scottsdale, Arizona) are assigned to Paradise Valley Unified District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
Paradise Valley Unified District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Paradise Valley Unified District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arizona. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85254
Children in zip code 85254 are assigned to Paradise Valley Unified District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85254, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Paradise Valley Unified District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Scottsdale
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Paradise Valley Unified District serves zip code 85254, homes in and around zip code 85254 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Paradise Valley Unified District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85254.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Paradise Valley Unified District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85254 data.