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Average

#1015 of 1,815 schools in CO

Custer County Elementary School

Elementary School · Custer County School District Consolidate 1

P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Enrollment

152

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,015 of 1,815

In Westcliffe

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Custer County School District Consolidate 1

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Custer County Elementary School

6.0/10

Elementary School in Westcliffe · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Custer County High School

7.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Custer Middle School

4.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Custer County Elementary School

Custer County Elementary School is a public elementary school in Westcliffe, CO, part of Custer County School District Consolidate 1. Custer County Elementary School serves approximately 152 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Custer County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,015 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Custer County Elementary School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with CO schools
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 152 students, Custer County Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Custer County Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

32% of students at Custer County Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,545
Chronic Absenteeism32.2%

Custer County Elementary School — Students at Custer County Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
38.6% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 56.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.7% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 31 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
27.5%
ELA
51.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Custer County Elementary School Compares

See how Custer County Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
44th percentile in CO
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Custer County Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln School of Science and Technology (rated 7.6/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canon Exploratory School (rated 7.5/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School (rated 6.3/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Canon City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Westcliffe, see our Westcliffe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Custer County High School Westcliffe 0.0 mi 7.6
Custer Middle School Westcliffe 0.0 mi 4.9
Crestone Charter School Crestone 16.3 mi 5.8
Cotopaxi Elementary School Cotopaxi 20.7 mi 5.3
Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School Cotopaxi 20.7 mi 6.7
Lincoln School of Science and Technology Canon City 23.7 mi 7.6
Washington Elementary School Canon City 24.7 mi 4.7
McKinley Elementary School Canon City 24.4 mi 5.5
Canon City Middle School Canon City 24.7 mi 5.6
Canon City High School Canon City 25.0 mi 6.1
Canon Exploratory School Canon City 25.8 mi 7.5
CANON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Canon City 25.7 mi 6.0
FOUR MILE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN Canon City 26.0 mi
Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School Canon City 26.5 mi 6.3
Harrison School Canon City 26.7 mi 5.8
Fremont Elementary School Florence 25.6 mi 4.4
Florence Jr./Sr. High School Florence 26.6 mi 6.1
Gardner Valley School Gardner 29.1 mi 2.9
Moffat Prek-12 School Moffat 26.3 mi 7.6
Beulah Elementary School Beulah 26.6 mi 3.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81252 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,825

Median Home Value

$362,200

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

4,413

College Educated

38.4%

Homeownership

87.3%

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

58.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School Hesperus, CO 6.0
Weldon Valley Elementary School Weldona, CO 6.0
GUARDIAN ANGELS Denver, CO 5.9
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver, CO 5.9
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF EVERGREEN Evergreen, CO 6.1
NOTRE DAME PARISH SCHOOL Denver, CO 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Custer County Elementary School

What grades does Custer County Elementary School serve?

Custer County Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Custer County Elementary School?

Custer County Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 152 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer County Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Custer County Elementary School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Custer County Elementary School rank in CO?

Custer County Elementary School ranks #1,015 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Custer County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Custer County Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Custer County Elementary School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Custer County Elementary School a charter school?

No, Custer County Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Custer County Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Custer County Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer County Elementary School?

60.5% of students at Custer County Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
152
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Custer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.2%

District

Custer County School District Consolidate 1
District Enrollment
345
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,545
District Rank
#2 of 3

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