| Metric | Cave Creek Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 4,499 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 8 | 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 | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Creek Unified District (this district) | 9/10 | 82nd | 4,499 |
| Scottsdale Unified District | 9/10 | 85th | — |
| Scottsdale Unified School District | 9/10 | 85th | 21,177 |
| Paradise Valley Unified School District | 8/10 | 74th | 27,919 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 82nd percentile → 9/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
- Sonoran Trails Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 615 students
- Cactus Shadows High School — Grades 8–12 · 1,362 students
- Black Mountain Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 496 students
- Horseshoe Trails Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 424 students
- Lone Mountain Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 376 students
- Desert Willow Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 338 students
- Desert Sun Academy — Grades PK–6 · 191 students
- Cave Creek Academy of Excellence — Grades K–12 · 19 students
- Desert Arroyo Middle School
About Cave Creek Unified District
Families in zip code 85266 (Scottsdale, Arizona) are assigned to Cave Creek 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 9/10 Rating
Cave Creek Unified District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 9/10, placing it in the top-tier 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.
Cave Creek Unified District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Arizona on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 85266 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85266
Children in zip code 85266 are assigned to Cave Creek 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 85266, 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 Cave Creek Unified District at (480)575-2000 or visit www.ccusd93.org. 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 Cave Creek Unified District serves zip code 85266, homes in and around zip code 85266 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 Cave Creek 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 85266.
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 Cave Creek Unified District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85266 data.