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Cherokee Elementary School

Q: Is Cherokee Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Cherokee Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 7 th of 909 Arizona elementary schools.

Q: How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 690 students attended Cherokee Elementary School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Cherokee Elementary School?

Students at Cherokee Elementary School are 72% White, 16% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Q: What schools do graduates of Cherokee Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Cherokee Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Cocopah Middle School High : Chaparral High School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

7^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 99% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Cherokee Elementary School is a highly-regarded public elementary school located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, serving 673 students in grades PK-5. As part of the Scottsdale Unified District, which is ranked 81 out of 289 districts in the state, Cherokee Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Arizona, maintaining a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's academic performance is exceptional, with a statewide ranking between 6th and 19th out of over 1,000 schools in recent years. Cherokee Elementary excels across various student subgroups, ranking highly for female students, male students, Asian students, Hispanic students, Native American students, and White students. The school also stands out in its support for special education and low-income students, ranking 1st out of all Arizona elementary schools for special education students and 15th out of 618 schools for low-income students.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Cochise Elementary, Kiva Elementary, and Sequoya Elementary, Cherokee Elementary consistently outperforms its peers in academic achievement. For example, in 2024-2025, Cherokee's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 81%, compared to 74% at Cochise, 62% at Kiva, and 70% at Sequoya. This sustained excellence over time, with a 5-star rating for the past 10 school years, is a testament to the school's commitment to providing a high-quality education for all its students.

690

Students ?

17.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,449

Per pupil spending ?

5.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8801 N 56th St
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-2246

(480) 484-8700

District: Scottsdale Unified District

Students who attend Cherokee Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Cocopah Middle School
High:	Chaparral High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.5%

Hispanic:

15.5%

Asian:

5.4%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Cherokee Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 94th percentile in 2015 → 99th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arizona average (82% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Arizona elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school82%

District avg63%

Arizona avg39%

7^th of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 5 pts since 2015

From top 6% (2015) to top 1% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 18Elementary Schools in the Scottsdale Unified District

81^st of 289Scottsdale Unified District among Arizona districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	97.8	7 of 909	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	97.5	8 of 912	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	97.8	13 of 1245	99.0%	★★★★★
2022	94.9	19 of 1000	98.1%	★★★★★
2021	98.5	6 of 1226	99.5%	★★★★★
2019	91.3	67 of 1039	93.6%	★★★★★
2018	94.2	41 of 1109	96.3%	★★★★★
2017	94.0	48 of 1106	95.7%	★★★★★
2016	95.7	24 of 1079	97.8%	★★★★★
2015	91.7	56 of 955	94.1%	★★★★★
2014	93.1	25 of 1079	97.7%	★★★★★
2013	90.3	33 of 1158	97.2%	★★★★★
2012	88.7	48 of 1141	95.8%	★★★★★
2011	91.9	32 of 1075	97.0%	★★★★★
2010	95.2	7 of 1090	99.4%	★★★★★
2009	91.4	31 of 1062	97.1%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	71.1	59 of 289	79.6%	★★★★☆
2021	91.9	13 of 895	98.5%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	90.6	10 of 316	96.8%	★★★★★
2022	56.6	109 of 270	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.6	36 of 620	94.2%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	72.4	92 of 451	79.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	95.6	7 of 589	98.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.2	9 of 602	98.5%	★★★★★
2023	97.7	11 of 1219	99.1%	★★★★★
2022	94.1	11 of 824	98.7%	★★★★★
2021	97.8	6 of 1219	99.5%	★★★★★
2019	86.3	79 of 862	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	94.1	35 of 1023	96.6%	★★★★★

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	55.9	3 of 25	88.0%	★★★★☆
2021	29.0	293 of 306	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	98.9	6 of 496	98.8%	★★★★★
2024	98.0	4 of 486	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	98.8	4 of 1170	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	95.8	14 of 716	98.0%	★★★★★
2021	96.6	15 of 1198	98.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	86.5	83 of 1116	92.6%	★★★★★
2022	93.2	15 of 618	97.6%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	95.8	8 of 626	98.7%	★★★★★
2024	94.0	19 of 628	97.0%	★★★★★
2023	96.9	21 of 1216	98.3%	★★★★★
2022	90.3	29 of 830	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	98.1	9 of 1220	99.3%	★★★★★
2019	90.4	52 of 850	93.9%	★★★★★
2018	93.5	51 of 1032	95.1%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	51.9	211 of 444	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.2	188 of 1027	81.7%	★★★★☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	98.7	8 of 654	98.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	83.7	1 of 1	0.0%	★★★★★
2023	87.1	45 of 820	94.5%	★★★★★
2021	99.6	3 of 1201	99.8%	★★★★★
2018	99.6	2 of 417	99.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	93.7	11 of 465	97.6%	★★★★★
2024	93.1	7 of 486	98.6%	★★★★★
2023	93.0	16 of 1024	98.4%	★★★★★
2022	90.8	18 of 800	97.8%	★★★★★
2021	94.2	9 of 1161	99.2%	★★★★★
2019	80.2	77 of 595	87.1%	★★★★☆
2018	88.4	47 of 720	93.5%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Female (2025)99th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)99th percentile~ school

Native American (2021)99th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

White (2025)98th percentile~ school

Asian (2023)97th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)93rd percentile-6 vs school

Foster Care (2022)88th percentile-10 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)80th percentile-19 vs school

African American (2022)80th percentile-19 vs school

Multi-racial (2022)52nd percentile-46 vs school

Special Education (2025)<1st percentile-99 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics88%+48 vs state

English Language Arts81%+41 vs state

Science69%+35 vs state

5.0

6 ratings · 6 written reviews

5★6

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, November 19, 2017

excellent public school great and dedicated teachers. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 16, 2017

Excellent public school, catering to the different needs of all students. Excellent and dedicated teachers and staff. Very involved parent group! Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, March 3, 2017

Great school and great community . Teachers, staff, parents, and APT all work hard to make this a real success. Couldn't be happier with the choice we made for our two kids. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Cherokee Elementary is more than just a top rated, excelling school. This school is a welcoming community that makes each child feel loved and safe while at the same time meeting their individual academic needs. Year after year they show growth even though they are already excelling. The faculty is warm and inviting, the students are kind and inclusive, and the scores are off the charts in regards to state and district averages. This school is a well oiled unit that uses all of its resources for the sole benefit of its students. They consistently do whats best for the child and their scores and climate reflect that. As a parent there is no other school in the valley I would rather send my child to. I am a proud parent who is fortunate to have my children at a school that is focused on the career readiness of an ever changing world. Thank you Cherokee faculty, staff, and APT for creating the very BEST elementary experience for our family. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, February 20, 2015

LOVE it! We've had kids here since 2008. Our 4th & 1st graders have had tremendous success after starts in the Early Learning program there and and are challenged appropriately and supported where they need extra help. Our 4th grader's math scores are almost off the charts on state testing and both kids are at or above their target goals in all other areas. Our 3rd child started in the Early Learning Center this year. She's not quite 2 yet, but is learning numbers, knows her animals and is learning colors too. Cherokee has a tremendous community of highly-credentialed teachers and staff. But hands down, the families make this school what it is! I highly recommend it- regardless of what your child's needs are. Cherokee has solid programs for every kid! Really- come see it for yourself!! I think you'll be quite pleased. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Great school full of great teachers, students and staff. Out of this world principal and vice principal. Has active and involved PTO and parents who care about education and it shows. Cherokee has many extras like pre-k program, full time PACT, lots of volunteers and aids - which all help bring standard class sizes down. Could not be happier, highly recommend this school! Close Quote

Schools Near Cherokee Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				AASA English Language Arts (2025)				AASA Mathematics (2025)				AzSCI Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	AASA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	AASA English Language Arts 4th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Cherokee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8801 N 56th St	Paradise Valley	85253	Maricopa County	Scottsdale Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 484-8700	690	39	17.6		500 (72.5%)	13 (1.9%)	107 (15.5%)	37 (5.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (4.6%)	97.8	7^th of 909 public elementary schools	99.2%		97.5	8^th of 912 public elementary schools	99.1%	1	81.0	80.0	82.0		93.0	81.0	90.0		69.0	$7,449	$96	$553	$746	$6,598	$202	$6,800
Scottsdale Country Day School	Public, Charter	K-8	10460 N 56th St	Scottsdale	85253	Maricopa County	Scottsdale Country Day School	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 452-5777	133	8	16.6		100 (75.2%)	5 (3.8%)	22 (16.5%)	2 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.5%)	2 (1.5%)								(n/a)				92.0							$00			$00
Sequoya Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11808 N 64th St	Scottsdale	85254	Maricopa County	Scottsdale Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 484-3200	575	35	16.2		412 (71.7%)	12 (2.1%)	78 (13.6%)	24 (4.2%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	43 (7.5%)	97.2	8^th of 909 public elementary schools	99.1%		93.9	46^th of 912 public elementary schools	95.0%	38	70.0	81.0	75.0		83.0	87.0	85.0		76.0	$7,313	$196	$600	$991	$6,341	$176	$6,518
BASIS Scottsdale Primary - East Campus	Public, Charter	K-5	7214 E Jenan Dr	Scottsdale	85260	Maricopa County	BASIS Charter Schools Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 391-1099	489	34	14.3		156 (31.9%)	12 (2.5%)	46 (9.4%)	231 (47.2%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (8.4%)	97	11^th of 909 public elementary schools	98.8%		97.6	7^th of 912 public elementary schools	99.2%	4	80.0	87.0			83.0	75.0				$11,713	$383	$90	$855	$6,967	$4,274	$11,241
Desert Shadows Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5902 E Sweetwater Ave	Scottsdale	85254	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-6900	554	35	15.8		376 (67.9%)	9 (1.6%)	106 (19.1%)	18 (3.2%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.4%)	84	128^th of 909 public elementary schools	85.9%		84.2	131^st of 912 public elementary schools	85.6%	3	78.0	70.0	57.0	69.0	83.0	68.0	49.0	51.0	52.0	$9,356	$609	$144	$1,363	$7,882	$721	$8,602
Montessori Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	6050 N Invergordon Rd	Paradise Valley	85253	Maricopa County	Montessori Academy Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 945-1121	107	9	11.8		76 (71.0%)	6 (5.6%)	13 (12.1%)	1 (0.9%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (9.3%)								(n/a)											$00			$00
Arizona Language Preparatory	Public, Charter	K-6	6140 E. Thunderbird Rd.	Scottsdale	85254	Maricopa County	Arizona Language Preparatory	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 996-1595	73	9	8.1		26 (35.6%)	6 (8.2%)	31 (42.5%)	5 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (6.8%)								(n/a)											$00			$00
Kiva Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	6911 E McDonald Dr	Paradise Valley	85253	Maricopa County	Scottsdale Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 484-2200	609	40	15.2		437 (71.8%)	16 (2.6%)	88 (14.4%)	39 (6.4%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.9%)	93.7	45^th of 909 public elementary schools	95.0%		95.6	24^th of 912 public elementary schools	97.4%	21	62.0	75.0	77.0		72.0	76.0	72.0		76.0	$8,347	$237	$656	$1,130	$6,980	$474	$7,454
Sonoran Sky Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	12990 N 75th St	Scottsdale	85260	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-6500	567	36	15.5		405 (71.4%)	13 (2.3%)	75 (13.2%)	25 (4.4%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (7.9%)	95.1	33^rd of 909 public elementary schools	96.4%		96.2	20^th of 912 public elementary schools	97.8%	13	72.0	85.0	70.0	83.0	83.0	75.0	87.0	71.0	56.0	$8,366	$269	$127	$665	$7,557	$413	$7,970
Cochise Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9451 N 84th St	Scottsdale	85258	Maricopa County	Scottsdale Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 484-1100	617	39	16.0		504 (81.7%)	3 (0.5%)	54 (8.8%)	21 (3.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (5.3%)	94.6	40^th of 909 public elementary schools	95.6%		92	58^th of 912 public elementary schools	93.6%	18	74.0	80.0	67.0		80.0	76.0	75.0		63.0	$7,820	$152	$552	$857	$6,896	$219	$7,115

Frequently Asked Questions about Cherokee Elementary School

Is Cherokee Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Cherokee Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 7^th of 909 Arizona elementary schools.

How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 690 students attended Cherokee Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Cherokee Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Cherokee Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cocopah Middle School
High : Chaparral High School

What is the racial makeup of Cherokee Elementary School?

Students at Cherokee Elementary School are 72% White, 16% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What district is Cherokee Elementary School in?

Scottsdale Unified District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.