27J Schools was formed in 1959 upon the reorganization and consolidation of several former school districts. 27J Schools is located northeast of the Denver, Colorado in the metro area (map) and encompasses about 212.4 square miles in northwest Adams County, northeast Broomfield County and southwest Weld County and serves a population of about 86,000. The District is the only school district serving the city of Brighton and also serves segments of the cities of Thornton and Commerce City, in addition to the surrounding unincorporated and generally rural area.

27J Schools is growing!   27J Schools is the sixteenth largest in Colorado (among 178 school districts) in terms of enrollment and the second largest in Adams County.   During the 2022-2023 school year the District served over 20,000 students. The district has 12 elementary schools, five middle schools, four high schools (three comprehensive high schools and one alternative high school).  

The district provides a full and challenging range of educational programs and services authorized by Colorado State Statute including kindergarten through grade twelve education in elementary, middle, and high schools; Special Education; Vocational Education; an Online Education program; English as a Second Language education; Gifted and Talented; and numerous other educational and support programs.

In addition, the district offers preschool programs through the Colorado Preschool Program and provides educational programming for the residents of the Adams County Youth Services Center (AYSC). The AYSC serves students from fourteen school districts across Adams County by offering language arts, and meet the appropriate academic requirements, the teaching staff offer a chance to complete a GED program, math, science, social studies, and art. Additionally, students with special needs are provided with additional educational support. For those students who are 17 and meet the appropriate academic requirements, the teaching staff offers a chance to complete a GED program.

Beginning August 2018, 27J Schools made the transition to a four-day student contact week. Students attend classes Tuesday through Friday. All 27J Schools are closed on Monday. The administrative office remains on a five-day workweek.  Educators work Tuesday through Friday with 1 monthly professional development 1/2 day.

District Mission and Vision

The mission of 27J Schools, 

To learn more about the school district, please browse our main site. 

 To learn more about school district academic programs, please browse the Student Achievement pages.