Below Average
#1650 of 1,815 schools in CO
Custer Middle School
Middle School · Custer County School District Consolidate 1
P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Westcliffe
#3 of 3
public schools
Colorado middle schools
#244 of 276
In district
#3 of 3
Custer County School District Consolidate 1
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer Middle School
Custer Middle School is a small public middle school located in the remote rural area of Westcliffe, Colorado. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 78 students and employs six full-time equivalent teachers. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, Custer Middle School provides a personalized learning environment where each student receives individual attention.
The academic performance at Custer Middle School is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by the MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1615th out of 1831 schools in Colorado (12th percentile). Students' proficiency levels are lower than ideal, with only 39% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and just 17% reaching the same milestone in Math. Despite these challenges, Custer Middle School continues to focus on supporting its students and community.
The school's setting in a remote rural area makes it an integral part of the local educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 78 students, Custer Middle 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 Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Custer Middle School — Students at Custer Middle School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.8/10.
How Custer Middle School Compares
See how Custer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 11.11% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 25.93% (2025).
Location
P O BOX 730, Westcliffe, CO 81252
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer Middle School may also want to explore other middle 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 notably higher. For more schools in Westcliffe, see our Westcliffe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.6 miNeighborhood 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Las Animas Junior High School Las Animas, CO | 4.5 |
| Sargent Junior High School Monte Vista, CO | 4.8 |
| ZEALOUS SCHOOLS Eagle, CO | 4.8 |
| Clear Creek Middle School Evergreen, CO | 4.9 |
| Peyton Junior High School Peyton, CO | 3.9 |
| Stratton Middle School Stratton, CO | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer Middle School
What grades does Custer Middle School serve?
Custer Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Custer Middle School?
Custer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Middle School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer Middle School rank in CO?
Custer Middle School is ranked #1650 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Custer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Middle School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer Middle School has 16.8% math proficiency and 38.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Custer Middle School a charter school?
No, Custer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Custer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Middle School?
50.0% of students at Custer Middle 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 78
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Custer County
- Phone
- (719) 783-2291
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Custer County School District Consolidate 1- District Enrollment
- 345
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,545
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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