Cactus Shadows High School is a public high school located in Cave Creek, Arizona. It is the only high school in the Cave Creek Unified School District. In 1974 the first committee met in Cave Creek to form a high school. In the fall of 1982, the doors opened to the first campus located at 60th Street with grades 7-9.
Serving 1,566 students in grades 8-12, Cactus Shadows High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 57% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 71% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 1,566 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 19%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 57% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 71% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 43% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Cactus Shadows High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Cactus Shadows High School's student population of 1,566 students has declined by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 72 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 8-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,566 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
72 teachers
Year Founded
1982
Colors
Blue, Grey
School Rankings
Cactus Shadows High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Cactus Shadows High School is 0.33, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#155 out of 1921 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
5%
Asian
2%
3%
Hispanic
13%
48%
Black
1%
6%
White
81%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
8%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Falcon
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cactus Shadows High School's ranking?
Cactus Shadows High School is ranked #155 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Arizona.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
57% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 71% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Cactus Shadows High School?
The graduation rate of Cactus Shadows High School is 93%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Cactus Shadows High School?
1,566 students attend Cactus Shadows High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
81% of Cactus Shadows High School students are White, 13% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Cactus Shadows High School?
Cactus Shadows High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Cactus Shadows High School offer ?
Cactus Shadows High School offers enrollment in grades 8-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Cactus Shadows High School part of?
Cactus Shadows High School is part of Cave Creek Unified District (4244) School District.
In what neighborhood is Cactus Shadows High School located?
Cactus Shadows High School is located in the Pinnacle Peak neighborhood of Cave Creek, AZ. There are 2 other public schools located in Pinnacle Peak.
School Reviews
Review Cactus Shadows High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
