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Average

#868 of 1,815 schools in CO

Top 48% in state

Custer County High School

High School · Custer County School District Consolidate 1

P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Enrollment

115

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Westcliffe

#1 of 3

public schools

Colorado high schools

#176 of 403

In district

#1 of 3

Custer County School District Consolidate 1

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Custer County High School

Custer County High School serves 115 students in grades 9-12 in the mountain community of Westcliffe, Colorado. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. Academically, the school performs well above average, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #327 out of 1,831 Colorado high schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.

Students demonstrate solid proficiency in English Language Arts, with 70% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 36% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $62,284 and median home values reach $311,200.

About 37% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.1%, suggesting a supportive environment for education. Custer County High School operates in Colorado's remote rural landscape, offering students a close-knit educational experience in the heart of the Wet Mountain Valley, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 115 students, Custer County High 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 High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,864

Custer County High School — Students at Custer County High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 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
30%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2022
Math
30%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Custer County High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in CO
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Custer County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Canon City High School (rated 6.0/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Canon City), with a comparable rating. Another option is Cotopaxi Junior-Senior High School (rated 5.2/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Cotopaxi), a more accessible option. Additionally, Florence Jr./Sr. High School (rated 4.8/10, 26.6 miles away, in nearby Florence), a more accessible option. For more schools in Westcliffe, see our Westcliffe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Custer County Elementary School Westcliffe 0.0 mi 6.4
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 High 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
Hayden High School Hayden, CO 6.5
CAMPION ACADEMY Loveland, CO 6.6
Career Readiness Academy Colorado Springs, CO 6.6
Deer Trail Junior-Senior High School Deer Trail, CO 6.6
Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Denver, CO 6.6
Primero Junior-Senior High School Weston, CO 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Custer County High School

What grades does Custer County High School serve?

Custer County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Custer County High School?

Custer County High School has an enrollment of approximately 115 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Custer County High School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Custer County High School rank in CO?

Custer County High School is ranked #868 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Custer County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Custer County High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer County High School has 36.5% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Custer County High School a charter school?

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

Is Custer County High School a Title I school?

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

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

46.1% of students at Custer County High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
115
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
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
#1 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

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