Students/Parents Quick Links

Students/Parents

Custer County School District serves students from Preschool through 12th Grade. The district boasts highly qualified teachers in every core subject. Three teachers are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Included in the staff members are a full-time School Resource Officer, an Information Technology Coordinator, and a Gifted & Talented Coordinator. We have an Elementary Counselor, a Secondary Counselor, and a Librarian. A Healthy Living Grant Coordinator and a Volunteer Coordinator add to the diverse and unique opportunities our student body has available to them to bolster educating the whole child. 

The district also works closely with Custer County Kids Council, Excellence in Education, the Education Legacy Fund, Rebecca's Fund, and other non-profits who participate in the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation.

Information about the district’s test scores can be found at Colorado Department of Education.

Points of Pride

  • The Custer County School District offers many academic opportunities, including Advanced Placement courses, online courses, partnerships with colleges for credit, and numerous electives.

  • The School boasts multiple Boettcher, Daniels, and Hurliman scholarship winners.

  • State recognition for students in Choir, FFA, athletics, and other extra-curricular activities.

Sydney Benesch

PreK-8th Grade Principal Message

Welcome to Custer County Schools! 

We are off to a great start for the 2024-2025 school year! 

I am honored to be the Elementary/Middle School Principal this year. Before pursuing administration, I was an elementary teacher for seven years. I grew up in Westcliffe, and attended Custer County Schools from preschool through 12th grade. Much of my family still lives here, and the valley holds a special place in my heart. 

Each student who walks through our school doors is an individual, bringing unique strengths and needs to go to school every day. It is important that our students are connected to school through positive relationships and a strong sense of community. I believe that every student can learn and be successful if provided the right support and opportunities. Our teachers and staff are committed to providing all students with an appropriate and challenging educational experience in a respectful environment that fosters learning and achievement. 

Families and community members play a critical role as partners in supporting our students both at home and in school. I look forward to continuing to build positive relationships with parents and community members. I encourage family and community members to get involved with our staff and students through school activities and volunteer opportunities. 

Custer County Schools is a wonderful, engaging learning community, and I feel privileged to be a part of the Bobcat Family. We appreciate the trust you show in us by sending your children here every day. It’s going to be a great year! 

Cordially, 

Sydney Benesch, PreK-8th Grade Principal, (719) 783-4894, sydney.benesh@ccbobcats.net

Aundrea McCormick

High School Principal Message

Dear Custer County School Community,

As I embark on my first year as principal at Custer County High School, I am filled with excitement and gratitude to be part of this wonderful community in beautiful Westcliffe. It has been a joy to meet so many dedicated students, supportive parents, and passionate staff members who all share a commitment to our students' success.

My journey in education has been diverse. I spent seven years as a women's college basketball coach, which taught me the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. After coaching, I obtained my TESOL certification and taught Intensive ESL classes in Washington, D.C., where I learned to appreciate the unique strengths and needs of each student.

Upon returning to my home state of Oklahoma, I taught Middle and High School English while coaching girls' basketball. My career then took me to Denver, where I managed an SES Tutoring program across fifteen schools before serving as a teacher and eventually principal at Accelerated Schools. Most recently, I worked with a charter school network and led a facility school in Colorado Springs.

I believe that every student who walks through our doors brings unique strengths and needs. It is essential that we foster positive relationships and a strong sense of community to support their growth. Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing an engaging educational experience in a respectful environment that encourages learning and achievement.

I also recognize the vital role families and community members play as partners in supporting our students. I look forward to building positive relationships with you all and encourage you to get involved through school activities and volunteer opportunities.

Together, we can create an engaging learning environment that empowers every student at Custer County High School. Thank you for welcoming me into your community. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!

Warm regards,

Aundrea McCormick, Custer County School High School Principal and Athletic Director, (719) 783-4930, aundrea.mccormick@ccbobcats.net