Skip to main content

Average

#912 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

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Westcliffe

#2 of 3

public schools

Colorado elementary schools

#569 of 1,006

In district

#2 of 3

Custer County School District Consolidate 1

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Custer County Elementary School

Custer County Elementary School is a small rural elementary school located in Westcliffe, Colorado. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 152 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is remote and rural, offering a unique community atmosphere that fosters close connections among families and educators.

Custer County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.4 out of 10, placing it in the 48th percentile among Colorado schools. Academically, the school shows particular strengths in English Language Arts, with 47% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels, while math proficiency is at 30%. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight ongoing efforts to support student development.

Located in a remote area, Custer County Elementary School serves as a vital educational resource and community hub for the surrounding rural neighborhoods.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 152 students, Custer County Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Custer County Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9%
Math vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,864

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 29.8%
School
State
38.6%
ELA Proficiency 47.4%
School
State
46.7%

Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
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: 4.9/10.

How Custer County Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in CO
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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 7.9/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harrison School (rated 7.8/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Canon City), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.5
Custer Middle School Westcliffe 0.0 mi 4.4
Crestone Charter School Crestone 16.3 mi 6.6
Cotopaxi Elementary School Cotopaxi 20.7 mi 6.1
Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School Cotopaxi 20.7 mi 5.2
Lincoln School of Science and Technology Canon City 23.7 mi 7.9
Washington Elementary School Canon City 24.7 mi 6.5
McKinley Elementary School Canon City 24.4 mi 7.4
Canon City Middle School Canon City 24.7 mi 5.8
Canon City High School Canon City 25.0 mi 6.0
Canon Exploratory School Canon City 25.8 mi 6.8
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 6.9
Harrison School Canon City 26.7 mi 7.8
Fremont Elementary School Florence 25.6 mi 3.6
Florence Jr./Sr. High School Florence 26.6 mi 4.8
Gardner Valley School Gardner 29.1 mi 5.9
Moffat Prek-12 School Moffat 26.3 mi 6.6
Beulah Elementary School Beulah 26.6 mi 3.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Custer County Elementary School has a median household income of $70,825. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,200, with a median rent of $933/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denver, CO 6.4
Caliche Elementary School Iliff, CO 6.4
KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary Denver, CO 6.4
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakewood, CO 6.4
Fleming Elementary School Fleming, CO 6.5
Simla Elementary School Simla, CO 6.5

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 is ranked #912 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Custer County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer County Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Custer County Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer County Elementary School has 29.8% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.