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Cactus Shadows High School

Grades 08–12 · Scottsdale, AZ · NCES 040000101204

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5802 E. Dove Valley Rd. · Scottsdale, AZ 85266

At a glance

Reported students

1,362

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

65.2

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

20.9:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

08–12

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

School benchmarks

Arizona high enrollment

86th percentile

Compared with 770 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

424

Cactus Shadows High School: 1,362 reported students.

State peer staffing position

69th percentile

20.9:1 reported; state peer median 18.1:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students
1,568
Teachers (FTE)
79
Student–teacher ratio
19.8:1

What the reported data says about Cactus Shadows High School

Cactus Shadows High School is a public high school serving grades 08–12 in Scottsdale. It is one of 7 current school records connected to Cave Creek Unified District (4244). NCES reports 1,362 students for 2024–25.

Among 770 high schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 80 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 86th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 20.9:1, above the Arizona median of 18.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (80%) and Hispanic or Latino (12.3%). English learners represent 1.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, computer science. The school reported 51 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.

Questions worth asking Cactus Shadows High School

  1. 1How do the reported 20.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 65.2 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
  2. 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
  3. 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 5 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
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Enrollment needs

English learners
1.5%
Students with disabilities
14%
Lunch program
Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
5
Nurses (FTE)
1
Psychologists (FTE)
1
Social workers (FTE)
1

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

  • White80%
  • Hispanic12.3%
  • Black1%
  • Asian2.4%
  • American Indian / Alaska Native0.5%
  • Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.3%
  • Multiracial3.5%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

AP student enrollment

Students enrolled

51 distinct courses reported

Gifted and talented

Not reported as offered

Computer science

Offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Other schools in Cave Creek Unified District (4244)

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Sonoran Trails Middle School

Middle · Grades 06–08

615 reported students

Black Mountain Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

496 reported students

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

424 reported students

Desert Willow Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

338 reported students

Desert Sun Academy

Other · Grades PK–12

191 reported students

Cave Creek Academy of Excellence

Other · Grades KG–12

19 reported students

View all 7 district schools →