A good flat walking area. The field area was closed but there is plenty of other areas to walk the premises. Clean and quiet on the weekends. Parking available. read more

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Police pointing guns at students, drug epidemic, teachers assaulting children, terrible staff, missing stall doors, unsanitary... the list goes on. The worst high school I've ever seen, and I whole-heartedly regret sending one of my children there. Any other school is a better option compared to this. I've seen multiple videos of students selling marijuana, mushrooms, and nicotine (products) in classes and the teachers are completely oblivious. Forcing every student to have a Chromebook with spyware on them, even if they had their own computers, was incredibly stupid. My child now had to carry around an extra computer constantly... Teacher stole and refused to give a fidget toy to my child, and then got mad at them when they couldn't concentrate anymore... He has diagnosed ADHD. From what I've heard and photos I've seen, the entire campus is extremely unsanitary and the janitors don't do anything about it. Feces covering the walls and floors, litter everywhere. School will refuse to give children lunch if they're just a few dollars under, letting them be hungry for no reason. Won't let students get food off campus, regardless of how old they are. Even the food they do serve is extremely low quality and unhealthy. There's been at least 2 instances (That are proven and I've heard of/seen videos of) of teachers physically assaulting students. They're lucky it wasn't my child or they wouldn't have made it home that day. They once closed down the whole school because a kid jumped over a gate that should've been opened at the time, because they had a Chromebook charger (that they forced them to have) and thought it was a gun. Multiple armed police were then sent to "evacuate" random classrooms... which consisted of pointing a gun at innocent children and screaming at them. Besides a few anomalies, the entire staff here is stuck up and power hungry. They're always on some power trip wanting to needlessly punish and harass students that are completely innocent and even lie to us about things that have happened. My child's friend had a situation where they sent an email home lying about things the student did in an interaction, but the student secretly recorded the entire thing. The teachers and staff love to exaggerate and make up fake details about every little thing in order to feel better about it their sad life as an underpaid employee that probably just got the job because they like telling people what to do... read more

So I am here for a basketball during a pandemic, they are making everyone sit on 1 side of the gym as a precaution, but the gym smells really bad, it is hot & it's looks like it has not been cleaned in months. So I am sure the bleachers have not been cleaned and/or sanitized. It kills me and all I do is laugh!!! They want to take all these precautions in this nasty ass gym! This school is in this nice neighborhood & all? Looking like this. I wouldn't send my student here. read more

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It's not a surprise that those who have strong feelings about a business often take out their frustrations on-line which equates to bad reviews. This tends to skew the ratings. I think that's what happens to most schools; this school not being an exception. I don't think there are any perfect schools; they all have good and the bad. It's ultimately what the students decide to take advantage of. This school offers great programs for the gifted. They offer both the IB and AP courses. I don't believe many schools offer both. I've heard of students commuting from Anthem for their IB program. They are spending lot of money recently in building/renovating sports facilities. The fine arts building also went through a major facelift. They also put in a new parking lot for junior students. If you have a music student, this school lacks in funding for their music program. Currently very small band and almost nonexistent marching band, although they are trying to improve in this area. However, they have great counselors that seems to care for the students. They meet with individual students periodically to make sure they are on the right track. As for the teachers, there are many great teachers. You know...the ones that actually enjoy teaching. There are few bad apples, but that's expected everywhere. As for the smoking/drinking/drugs. Honestly, that is everywhere; it is high-school after all. I think we just need to teach our own kids to stay away from that. I was told by my son that it is present on campus but if you're not into that, there's no peer pressure. read more

Cactus Shadows High School - Main entrance. - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Cave Creek, Arizona

I was told at the end of my junior year that my math credit I obtained in this district's middle school didn't actually matter and that I now had to take Calculus while the rest of my class was allowed to take precalculus (which I obtained my junior year). The counseling department is atrocious when it comes to their job and when I vocalized my opinion to them regarding this problem, I was silenced. The counselors do not care about your student. Don't punish your child with this place, not until the counseling department is completely replaced. Hoping at least SOMEONE in administration reads this so someone knows there's a problem. read more

My grandson Evan just finished his freshman year having been in Horseshoe Trails Elementary and Sonoran Trails Middle school. I am extremely pleased with all three schools teachers and administration and how they have developed Evan into a very good student. While there are always some issues at the school I can say that if you get involved, meet with the teachers and councilors, understand what they have to deal with as well as the security aspects, you will find a lot of support. We are looking forward to the next 3 years with all the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 to deal with too! read more

Many recent changes for 2022/23. AP program expanded & IB full or partial certificates available now. New principal and counselors, many new teachers. Really like the new Football program, high expectations have been set with an emphasis on discipline and accountability/ responsibility. My child is on the AP/Honors track and is really enjoying the football program. They practice early in the A.M., allowing plenty of time after school for homework / family / and other activities. Constant communication via text, email, phone (INFO overload but can't complain there's a lack of it!). Been in this district 8 yrs, I see an improvement this year. Safe surroundings a plus. Con: sports/ activity fees are high due to lack of funding, as in most districts. read more

One of the worst high schools in existence. Security is pathetic and mouthy to students. Administration lacks proper authority and fails to address critical issues. Teachers are struggling every year due to the lack of proper classroom sizes 35/37. Teacher bias is common. Called cshs shithole for a reason. read more

Great school went there for a football game good stands and fans had a fun time even though I was opposing.

Great school for students who wants to study. Great teachers!!! Great library and spacious!!!

Cactus Shadows has earned its rightful nickname, Cactus Shithole. The whole school is trashed, literally garbage everywhere. The security is terrible, they barge in on people who are using the rest room because vaping has become such a big problem. The teachers are terrible, they care more about pay raises from the principal then they do about staying for office hours. The school would rather pay for new grass, new athletic buildings, and new fine arts center updates(such as the 60,000$ curtains they bought...) The worst teacher by far is Brittany Dodd, the current cheer coach. She cares more about the cheer team then about school, she will have cheerleaders come sit with her during class, and completely forget about her students. As for when the cheerleaders aren't there, she gives out loads of assignments, without any explanation, and continues to sit at her desk and watch twitter videos and snapchat her cheerleaders. The administration is a joke because they care more about attendance then they do about students safety and well being. Bullying is such a big problem here I had to pull my kid out. The school suspends kids for missing too much school, which is insane. How they managed to pull off an A+ rating blows my mind. This school needs a major facelift. read more

Terrible school half the teachers/staff are terrible. I have not learned a single thing since starting 2 years ago.