The short version
Circle Cross Ranch is a Pulte-built master community off Gantzel (Ironwood) and Empire Boulevard in the northern-central part of San Tan Valley. It has its own elementary school, a large central park — Empire Park — and a trail system that runs through the neighborhood. Of the Florence Unified communities in San Tan Valley, it is one of the closer ones to Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Mesa, which is why it lands on a lot of short lists for people who work north but want Florence Unified schools or a southern San Tan Valley price.
Quick facts
| Location | Gantzel Road and Empire Boulevard area, San Tan Valley 85143 |
|---|---|
| Builder | Primarily Pulte Homes (built out; resale market now) |
| Parks | Empire Park with basketball and volleyball courts, sports fields, picnic pavilions and playground; tot lots throughout; walking and biking trail network |
| Schools | Florence Unified — Circle Cross Ranch Elementary inside the community, Poston Butte High School minutes away |
| Homes | Roughly 1,000 to over 3,500 square feet across the build-out, many in the 1,800–3,000 range, two to six bedrooms |
| HOA | Yes. Confirm current dues and what they cover with the association |
Homes and lots
Because Circle Cross Ranch is built out, this is a resale-only search. That has an advantage: you can see how the neighborhood actually lives, not how a model home says it will. Streets are established, landscaping is mature, and you can tell a lot from a Saturday drive-through. The homes are mostly 2000s Pulte plans with stucco and tile, open family rooms, and a range from starter size to larger two-story family plans.
On inspection, age is the theme again: roof underlayment, AC systems, and water heaters in the earliest phases. The homes where an owner has already done those items are the cleanest negotiations in the neighborhood.
Current prices: Prices here move with the market, so this page does not post a number that will be out of date next month. Call or text 480-810-9255 and I will send you what has actually closed in Circle Cross Ranch in the last 90 days.
Schools
Florence Unified School District. Circle Cross Ranch Elementary is inside the community, middle school is assigned by address, and Poston Butte High School is a few minutes away on Gantzel. School assignments change and are set by address — verify the assigned schools for a specific home before you write an offer.
Getting around
Gantzel north to Combs, Ocotillo, and the Queen Creek and Gilbert retail corridors. The Loop 202 via Ironwood/Gantzel is your freeway run. Circle Cross Ranch starts closer to that run than Copper Basin or the Hunt Highway communities do, and farther than Ironwood Crossing. Banner Ironwood Medical Center is nearby on Combs Road.
Daily life
Empire Park is the community's front yard: courts, fields, pavilions, and the events the HOA runs through the year. Trails connect the streets, and San Tan Mountain Regional Park is the weekend option to the west. Day-to-day shopping is north on Gantzel toward Queen Creek.
Who Circle Cross Ranch Fits
Good fit
Florence Unified families who want the elementary school in the neighborhood and a shorter northern commute than the rest of Florence Unified San Tan Valley; buyers who prefer a built-out, established neighborhood over a construction zone; sellers who have maintained systems, because buyers here are comparing condition closely.
Look elsewhere if
You want a brand-new home (Florence new construction, or the active building elsewhere in the valley), a community pool and clubhouse (Ironwood Crossing, Johnson Ranch), or no HOA.
Common Questions About Circle Cross Ranch
Is Circle Cross Ranch still building?
No, it is effectively built out. Expect a resale purchase with established streets and mature landscaping.
Which high school?
Poston Butte High School, Florence Unified, minutes away on Gantzel. Verify by address.
Does it have a community pool?
The amenity base is parks, courts, fields and trails, not a clubhouse pool. If weekly community pool use is a requirement, look at Ironwood Crossing or Johnson Ranch.