A mentor can make all the difference in a child's life. A recent survey of middle school students in Adams County indicates those who do not have a caring adult outside their home or school were more than five times less likely to feel that finishing high school is important.

Cherry Drive Elementary in Thornton has earned a $95,000 playground grant from Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Health Foundation. The school's original playground dates back to 1974.

Silver Hills and Northglenn Middle Schools have earned a Counselors Corps grant from the Colorado Department of Education. This grant will fund an additional full-time counselor in each of these schools for two years beginning in 2014.

The grant is worth about $350,000 over the next three years. 

Centennial Elementary, Coronado Hills Elementary, Federal Heights Elementary (lunch only), Leroy Drive Elementary, STEM Launch and The Studio School are participating in the Summer Food Service Program for Children and will offer free breakfast and lunch this summer.

Located just seven miles north of downtown Denver, Adams 12 Five Star Schools is close to the conveniences of a major city center yet far enough to offer the quiet of the suburbs. The five stars represent the five unique communities the district serves: Broomfield, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster.

Our mission is to engage and inspire all students to innovate, achieve and succeed in a safe and supportive environment by ensuring high quality instruction in every classroom, every day.

With more than 43,000 students, the Five Star District offers families the benefits of a large district with a close-knit feel. That's reflected in the numerous opportunities for students, staff and parents at any of the district's 57 unique learning centers. Get the latest news about the Five Star District.