Cherokee Elementary School

8801 North 56th Street

School District

Scottsdale Unified District
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Scottsdale Unified District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 12, 2025

The amount of bullying that takes place at this school is insane. The music teacher is also off her rocker.
Submitted by parent on December 14, 2021

The school is amazing! The teachers, staff, and administrators love the children and love what they do. The best part is that the children love them just as much in return.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2021

As a parent in the community with two children I was particular about school choice and our family couldn’t be happier at Cherokee. Every employee from the sweet front office staff, the hardworking teachers, to our principal are exceptional and show genuine care for each child. With high academic standards and programs like SEL I feel like Cherokee is focused not only on academic excellence but also fostering good behaviors and character building. We also really love the special community that Cherokee embodies, the school is in constant contact with parents and has frequent activities for the whole family. We love it here and hope you do too!!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2021

As a teacher, I feel like this school has students best interest always. Teachers and administration strive to meet individual students needs whether it be social, emotional, physical or intellectually. There are matched resources for students who need it in area of special education. This school also pays attention to researched base instruction and monitor data to align instruction.
Submitted by teacher on November 19, 2021

As a parent in SUSD and a teacher at Cherokee, I love teaching here! The student are so sweet, positive, and energetic, which to me points to the positive educational and social experience they are having at Cherokee. Any issues I have had have been resolved fairly. I feel supported as a teacher by the parents and administration.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2020

I have a child go K-5 and another Pre-K-5 so I’ve been there a long time. It’s exactly what an elementary should be. A place for families to get involved, socialize and begin their 15 journey together. This school has tons of financial support from families and the APT does an excellent job of making sure it all goes right back into those classrooms. This school is what you make it. If you’re not involved, you probably won’t reap the wonderful encrust of what it offers our kids.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2020

It's an adequate school with a few exceptional teachers and one teacher who is a bully.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2017

The teachers and staff at Cherokee are amazing. They're dedicated and passionate about what they do. It's a true blessing to send our children to Cherokee. The education is superior and the environment for students is great. Happy, positive environment and excellent education. You can't beat Cherokee!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2017

I love the strong parent council, well run school. However at a classroom level, I am unhappy. My Sons 4th English teacher is not experienced. She does not present marked work samples at the teacher conference, I have never seen a marked writing sample. I see tests come home that are rote based, but I have not seen any evidence of a strong academic program. How can kids learn to read and write just by doing spelling tests? I have yet to see an assignment with clear expectations, and then a marked test that shows me how well my child has met these expectations. As a parent you have no idea how well your child is doing in terms of meeting the curriculum expectations. Seeing a spelling test is no indication that you are acquiring new skills. It has been very frustrating talking to her because she doesn't understand where I am coming from and I believe she teaches only out of a book and can't speak to her program and how it connects to the standards. Overall, this year I can't see any new skills learned in language. So disappointed.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2017

We are in our 4th year at Cherokee, our daughter is still there and our son graduated a couple years ago. Ever teacher we have encountered has been caring, dedicated, and highly competent.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2017

Great teachers and staff. Very active APT and lots of parental involvement in the classrooms. Tax credit money funds many before and after school clubs. The teaching is challenging and my kids have never been bored!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2017

Cherokee is a great public school with exceptional teachers and leadership. The school can handle any type of child and help them grow. The teachers understand children learn in different ways and adapt to them. Instruction is differentiated from Kindergarten through 5th grade based on the children's needs helping every child grow! The Children repeatedly outperform their scores year after year due to the excellent instruction. We have had a great experience and recommend Cherokee to all
Submitted by other on November 29, 2015

Wrestling with the decision of where to send my child to Kindergarten was quite daunting. Of course I did my due diligence and toured many schools, talked to many parents (ad nauseum) and flipped multiple coins.When initially visiting Cherokee, I was pleased to see smiling faces of the kids (unlike some schools) and was impressed when meeting with and talking to the teachers and the principal (who is incredible). We are halfway through Kindergarten and I am pleased to report that my initial impression was the right one. My son enjoys school, but is also sufficiently challenged. There is some "homework", but it is certainly not over-the-top (maybe 5-10 minutes, not every night). If you check Cherokee's test scores, they are some of the best in the state and the kids are not overly-taxed and are having fun. In my opinion, it is the best of all possible worlds. Rigorous, challenging, but the kids can still be kids.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2015

We LOVE Cherokee! When we think of the lack of funding for public education in our state, it is phenomenal that this community rises together for fiscal awareness. The PTA is amazing and supports the school and community. The overall demeanor and affect on the campus is calm, positive and inviting. The rigor is intact. AGAIN, until this state actually starts funding education, parents need not post negative comments. It is amazing how this school continues to harbor expectations, positivity and rigor with no public funding support. Most Cherokee parents can afford to send their kids to private school, but we don't. We choose Cherokee! Thank you, Cherokee!
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2015

Not sure why this school is rated so high! We moved to AZ from Hawaii which supposedly has some of the worst schools, but I'm sorry, this school is NOT the best! The school my son was going to in Hawaii was FAR BETTER! Way more organized, he had homework each night, and he LOVED school! My son transferred into Cherokee in January, he was in 2nd grade, he said the only thing he liked about the school was lunch & recess! He always came home with a disorganized folder of half done school work, and no directions or homework from the teacher, it just seemed so disorganized and 'loosey-goosey' over there. My mother convinced me that Scottsdale school district was what I wanted, but I'm sorry, we're going to try Paradise valley for next year. If you live close to Cherokee and can't afford a private school, than Cherokee will be fine for your kids. But if there is another school that is closer to your home, send your kids to that one.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 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.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2015

I now have my 3rd child at Cherokee elementary. We could afford a private school or score into one of the top charter schools, but we have been really happy at Cherokee. Consistently Cherokee's scores beat out the other schools and the administration, teachers and parents create a great environment for learning. My kids have needed remedial assistance at times and have received advanced assistance too, now called enrichment. When my kids needed help with reading, there were reading aides provided by the APT. When my kids were excelling in math, there were special sections and aids to help the teachers funded by the APT. Cherokee continued to thrive despite the recent budget cuts, because the parent community is strong and supports the school both financially with aids, supplies, etc. and in the classroom with extra hands as needed by the staff and teachers. I really can't comment on others experience, but I wonder if they are at the same school, as I have had a child a this school for the past 8 years. The worst experience we ever had was with an "ok" teacher once. But the standard is so high at Cherokee, she probably would have been considered good at another school.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2015

When I was looking to buy a new house in December of 2000, I happened to find one within the Cherokee boundaries. I didn't have any kids at the time, but I was told Cherokee was the top sought after elementary school to attend in Arizona. I kept that in mind when I finally had my first child and he was ready for elementary school. I've had a child at Cherokee every since Fall of 2006. That son has since graduated and moved onto Cocopah Middle School. I am still at Cherokee with my second son. I don't plan on leaving till he graduates. I have met some fabulous families throughout my years at Cherokee. My sons' best friends are classmates they met in kindergarten. Cherokee has an outstanding APT that makes everyone feel welcomed. New families are always greeted with open arms. It goes without saying the entire staff of Cherokee goes far and beyond their job to ensure every child succeeds. This proves why Cherokee is one of the top ranked schools in the State of Arizona.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2015

We moved to this area based on the ratings this school got. I was truly disappointed in the academics. They are all behind based on a standard curriculum for the state. My child is bored and is not challenged. Begs for homework. The gifted program teaches what should be taught in the home room class. Not a fan of having a child stay in the classroom all day long either as opposed to going to a different class for subject. No gym class every day. For gym my child learned cup stacking! Yup cup stacking! Wow was my kid exhausted when he came home!!!! Lol! The teacher is great and wonderful with children. Very experienced. But for an academic standpoint I was not happy. Looking for an alternative next year. I also heard from other parents the teachers just don't care enough to give work.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2014

Cherokee Elementary is a strong school with caring teachers and administrative staff. After reading some prior posts, I cannot help but provide some feedback to the negative comments. I am a very small member of the APT and sit on the APT Board. I believe that everyone has the responsibility to be supportive and positive for every parent and student! We all need it! All schools have their "social" issues and some parents who may act like they are still in "high school." I suggest ignore and be the positive parent who focuses on things that matter. If you don't like the APT and what they are doing, then make your voice heard! Offer a better solution and get in there and volunteer with a smile! Share your talent, your smile and enthusiasm for our school! Maybe some of those people who seem "grumpy" haven't had their coffee yet? Maybe they worked 25 hours the prior week on M&O voting campaigns, fundraising events, and also volunteered in their child's class and they are just simply exhausted. I do hope that more parents, not just the "repeat" parents who always show up, will become more involved and help in small are big ways. Any time is valuable and matters to our kids.