A record number of South Dakota high schools are participating in ProStart this year. The two-year,
industry-backed program for culinary arts and restaurant management is coordinated by the South Dakota
Retailers Association.
High schools in 28 different communities are offering ProStart to their students during the 2026-2027
school year. Elkton and Lower Brule High Schools are offering it for the first time this year.
“We currently have 15 kids in the program, many who have expressed an interest in exploring culinary
arts,” said Kenneth Sosa, Culinary Educator at Lower Brule, before adding, “many have relatives in the
industry working food trucks or in restaurants.”
Seanna Regynski, ProStart State Coordinator, says that the growth is good news for restaurants and food
service in South Dakota.
“Program growth means more students are being exposed to the career opportunities available in the
industry and are receiving hands-on applicable skills to start a career.”
She added that ProStart introduces students to both front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house operations
giving the students a headstart for careers in the field and employers a stronger applicant pool.
South Dakota schools participating in the ProStart Program this year are:
• Aberdeen ATEC
• Alcester-Hudson High School
• Bridgewater-Emery High School
• Clark High School
• Elkton High School
• Florence High School
• Hamlin School District
• Harrisburg High School
• Hot Springs High School
• Huron High School
• Irene-Wakonda High School
• Lower Brule School District
• Madison Central High School
• Mitchell CTE Academy
• Mobridge-Pollock High School
• Northeast Technical School (Watertown)
• Rapid City Central High School
• Rapid City Stevens High School
• SD Virtual School
• Sioux Falls CTE Academy
• St. Francis Indian School
• Sturgis Brown High School
• T. F. Riggs High School (Pierre)
• Todd County High School
• Wagner Community High School
• Webster High School
• Willow Lake High School
• Vermillion High School
The National Restaurant Association administers ProStart. Nationally, there are 2,275 schools with ProStart
Programs.
SDRA