Adams County Schools & Education
Adams County, Colorado
School Score
20/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
81.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,571
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
20/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
State School Rank
#51
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Explore Adams County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Adams County, Colorado
A Robust Urban-Suburban Educational Network
Adams County maintains a massive infrastructure of 166 public schools, including 93 elementary and 31 high schools. A total of 87,473 students are enrolled across 10 different school districts, reflecting the county's significant scale.
Tracking Progress Against State Standards
The county's graduation rate of 81.2% trails the state average of 83.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. With per-pupil expenditure at $6,571, investment levels sit below the Colorado average of $7,447 and the national median of $13,000.
Large Districts and Charter Diversity
Aurora Joint District No. 28 and Adams 12 Five Star Schools are the largest providers, serving over 73,000 students combined. The county also offers 24 charter schools, which account for roughly 14.5% of the total school landscape.
Suburban Focus with High-Capacity Campuses
Most students attend one of the 116 suburban schools, where the average enrollment is 527 students. Horizon High School and Westminster High School lead the county in size, each supporting over 2,020 students.
Establishing Roots Near Major Districts
Families often target homes within the Adams 12 Five Star district to access established school communities. Prioritizing proximity to high-performing campuses like Horizon High can be a vital factor in local real estate decisions.
School Overview
Total Schools
166
in Adams County
Total Enrollment
87,473
students
School Districts
10
districts
Charter Schools
24
14% of total
School Type Breakdown
10 School Districts in Adams County
Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
School District 27J
State Charter School Institute
Westminster Public Schools
Mapleton School District No. 1 in the county of Adams & St
School District N. 14 in the county of Adams & State of Colo
EDUCATION REENVISIONED BOCES
Bennett School District No. 29J
Strasburg School District 31J
166 Public Schools in Adams County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon High School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,026 |
| Westminster High School | Westminster Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,021 |
| Northglenn High School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,959 |
| The Pinnacle Charter School | State Charter School Institute | KG–12 | Charter | 1,940 |
| Academy of Charter Schools | State Charter School Institute | PK–12 | Charter | 1,890 |
| Brighton High School | School District 27J | 9–12 | High | 1,854 |
| Prairie View High School | School District 27J | 9–12 | High | 1,821 |
| Mountain Range High School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,761 |
| Adams City High School | School District N. 14 in the county of Adams & State of Colo | 9–12 | High | 1,666 |
| Stargate Charter School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | KG–12 | Charter | 1,551 |
| Riverdale Ridge High School | School District 27J | 9–12 | High | 1,463 |
| Thornton High School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,412 |
| Bromley East Charter School | School District 27J | PK–8 | Charter | 1,237 |
| Colorado Preparatory Academy Elementary School | EDUCATION REENVISIONED BOCES | KG–5 | Primary | 1,010 |
| Rocky Top Middle School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 1,001 |
| Silver Hills Middle School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 957 |
| Rodger Quist Middle School | School District 27J | 6–8 | Middle | 923 |
| Global Village Academy - North | State Charter School Institute | KG–8 | Charter | 832 |
| West Ridge Elementary | School District 27J | PK–5 | Primary | 827 |
| Century Middle School | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 827 |
School District N. 14 in the county of Adams & State of Colo
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,571
State avg $7,447
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Adams County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Adams County, Colorado?
Adams County maintains a massive infrastructure of 166 public schools, including 93 elementary and 31 high schools. A total of 87,473 students are enrolled across 10 different school districts, reflecting the county's significant scale.
How do schools in Adams County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 81.2% trails the state average of 83.1% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. With per-pupil expenditure at $6,571, investment levels sit below the Colorado average of $7,447 and the national median of $13,000.
What are the major school districts in Adams County, Colorado?
Aurora Joint District No. 28 and Adams 12 Five Star Schools are the largest providers, serving over 73,000 students combined. The county also offers 24 charter schools, which account for roughly 14.5% of the total school landscape.
What is the school experience like in Adams County?
Most students attend one of the 116 suburban schools, where the average enrollment is 527 students. Horizon High School and Westminster High School lead the county in size, each supporting over 2,020 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Adams County, Colorado?
Families often target homes within the Adams 12 Five Star district to access established school communities. Prioritizing proximity to high-performing campuses like Horizon High can be a vital factor in local real estate decisions.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.