Open/Switch Enrollment for APS Employees is October 1 through 16
Albuquerque Public Schools
Highland High School: Culinary Arts Program
2026 Best in Class winner.
Culinary Arts Program
At Highland High School, our ProStart Culinary Arts Program is redefining career education in alignment with Albuquerque Public Schools’ commitment to graduating students ready for college, career, and community success. Located in Albuquerque’s International District, we serve a diverse student population, many of whom face economic barriers that limit access to enrichment, travel, and industry exposure. Despite these challenges, our shared mission is clear: expand opportunity through rigorous, hands-on learning that builds confidence, leadership, and workforce skills while creating meaningful pathways to postsecondary success.
Our four-year ProStart pathway integrates culinary arts, hospitality management, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. Students earn industry-recognized certifications, including ServSafe Food Handler and ServSafe Manager, strengthening immediate employability in Albuquerque’s growing hospitality sector. Through catering events, internships, and community projects, students gain authentic workforce experience—developing skills in menu costing, inventory management, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving under pressure in fast-paced environments.
Participation in FCCLA further enhances leadership and career readiness through competitions, STAR Events, public speaking, and service-learning. Students build professional networks, explore postsecondary pathways, and gain confidence presenting their work to industry leaders. ProStart goes beyond culinary instruction; it cultivates resilience, cultural pride, financial literacy, and professional pathways that empower students to thrive as leaders in their community and beyond graduation.
The funding will directly support our students in advancing to compete at the national level through Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. For many of our students in Albuquerque’s International District, the cost of travel, lodging, registration, and professional attire creates a barrier to participating in national competition. These winnings would remove that barrier and ensure that talent—not income—determines opportunity.
Competing at FCCLA Nationals elevates our students beyond the classroom. They present professional projects, engage with industry leaders, network with peers from across the country, and represent both Highland High School and Albuquerque Public Schools on a national stage. The experience builds confidence, leadership, public speaking skills, and career readiness while reinforcing the value of hard work and preparation.
We are not just funding a trip—we are investing in transformative experiences that expand our students’ vision of what is possible. Nationals provides exposure, motivation, and inspiration that students carry back to their school and community, strengthening our program and empowering the next generation of leaders in Albuquerque.