FAQs

The district's recommendation to the Board of Education is to close 5 elementary schools and 1 middle school, relocate and expand Hulstrom K-8, and open a new K-8 magnet school with an arts emphasis. It also includes adjustments to two middle school attendance boundaries.

If approved, the recommendation would take effect at the beginning of the 2027-28 school year. No closures or boundary changes are recommended at the high school level.

Adams 12 serves approximately 6,200 fewer students than it did seven years ago, and projections indicate that enrollment will continue to decline. This reflects a broader trend across Colorado and the nation as fewer children enter schools and the cost of serving students continues to rise.

Enrollment directly affects the student experience. Schools with sufficient enrollment can better support full-time specials, academic and student-support staff, electives, clubs, athletics and teacher collaboration. The recommendation is intended to create stronger, more sustainable school communities—aligning our schools and resources with the students we serve today.

All five elementary schools recommended for closure serve fewer than 300 K-5 students. Shadow Ridge serves fewer than 600 students and is the district’s only middle school using less than half of its building. 

This recommendation is not a reflection of the quality of the schools named or the dedication of the people within them. Each has been shaped by committed educators, engaged families and students who have contributed meaningfully to the Five Star community.

District staff developed the recommendation using the considerations established in Board Policy 2.11. These include student learning opportunities, ongoing cost savings, school enrollment and building use, compact neighborhood boundaries, the capacity and long-term stability of receiving schools, transportation, and potential community impacts.

Between September 4 - October 6, the board will evaluate the proposal and hear from impacted communities and the public before it votes on Oct. 7, 2026. The district will hold school-based community connection meetings and public hearings so impacted families, staff and community members can learn what the recommendation would mean for their school, ask questions, and share their perspectives directly with the board.

Our priority is to maintain high-quality learning environments for all students. Consolidation is intended to improve student experience by increasing access to full-time staff, electives, extracurriculars and support services. Smaller schools often struggle to provide these consistently due to limited staffing and resources.

Community connection meetings where potentially affected schools can learn more about the recommendation, and public comment opportunities with the Board of Education.

Students affected would be automatically enrolled in their neighborhood school, and the district would also provide transportation for students who meet criteria regarding distance from school, crossing busy streets, etc. Families interested in another district school would receive priority consideration in the Choice process.

In all circumstances, students with specialized learning plans such as IEPs, 504s and ALPs, would continue to receive services at their new schools.

Adams 12 Round 1 choice process for the 2027-28 school year will open on November 1, 2026 and close on December 15, 2026. The new K-8 magnet school will launch with grades K-6 in 2027-28 and grow to a K-8 school by 2029-30. Families may select this school in Round 1 of choice. Hulstrom serves advanced students in grades K-8 including those identified as gifted and talented. Entrance for students who qualify is by lottery which families may enter in the Round 1 choice process.

Our goal is to maintain reasonable class sizes that support student learning while using space more efficiently. Consolidation is intended to move schools toward more balanced class sizes, typically in the mid-20s. In many cases school consolidation may allow the district to reduce class sizes, because schools will have enough students to add another classroom (“round”).

Adams 12 is committed to retaining impacted employees. In partnership with our employee associations, the district would use priority hiring processes that recognize employee preferences to keep talented staff in Adams 12.

Open houses, school tours and additional transition activities would help students, families and staff begin building relationships across school communities. We would also work to honor the histories and traditions of the schools affected.

There are two proposed middle school boundary changes critical to the district’s closure and consolidation plan. The changes would reassign the following residential areas to a different middle school beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

• Rocky Top Middle School west of I-25 to Westlake Middle School 
• Silver Hills Middle School south of Squires Park to Northglenn Middle School 

Students who are already attending their currently assigned middle school may remain there. Transportation will be provided to them for the next two school years to support continuity through the remainder of their middle school years. Younger students whose assigned middle school changes will attend the middle school serving their new boundary unless their family applies to attend a different school through the district’s choice process.

Families may provide feedback via the district’s Questions & Comments Form. The Board will vote on the boundary changes as part of the full school closure and consolidation package on October 7, 2026.

The district’s goal is to ensure buildings continue to serve the community when possible. 

This means, we will first consider how we might be able to repurpose buildings for other district programs or needs, and then look at possible community partnerships (like recreation or gathering spaces), and potentially compatible uses such as childcare providers.

We understand this concern. Our goal is to create strong, sustainable schools that continue to attract and retain families. By aligning resources and maintaining quality programming, we aim to strengthen confidence in our schools and make sure that students throughout the district have access to a comprehensive school experience.

The district expects enrollment to continue declining for about the next 10 years before stabilizing. Consolidation is part of a long-term strategy to right-size the system while maintaining flexibility to grow again if enrollment trends change. 

We are committed to transparent, ongoing communication. The district will continue sharing updates through its website, direct communication, and future updates. Key milestones include policy decisions in late spring, recommendations in the fall, and ongoing updates throughout the process. 

Yes, Board Policy 2.11