Celebrating 75 Years of Innovation

As Adams 12 Five Star Schools celebrates 75 years of serving our community, we’re reflecting on how far education has come, especially in STEM learning.

Since 1950, our classrooms have transformed from textbook-based lessons to hands-on, inquiry-driven exploration. The opening of STEM Lab and STEM Launch in the 2010s marked a turning point, giving K-8 students the chance to design, build and solve real-world problems through science, technology, engineering and math.

Today, the Five Star District offers a comprehensive STEM pathway from kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring students can develop critical thinking, creativity and collaboration skills at every level. That pathway continues at Northglenn High School, where students engage in advanced coursework, real-world projects and career-connected learning through the P-TECH program, which provides an opportunity to earn an associate degree at no cost while partnering with industry professionals.

Over the years, Five Star students and teachers have earned state and national recognition, including Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and wins in NASA TechRise, 3M Young Scientist and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competitions. 

Now, thanks to the community’s support in passing Ballot Measure 5B, we are entering the next exciting chapter. Soon, every elementary student will have access to hands-on STEM-focused exploration classes designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills for the future.