A Michigan culinary arts school for students with special needs will be providing opportunities for the development of employment skills, including growing food and every aspect that goes into the industry.
Rising Stars Academy, a post-secondary school, was founded by a Chef and is part of the Centerline Public School system.
“We’re going to teach our kids the culinary, but also the agroscience…so they can actually cook their own food and learn how to eat healthy,” said Rising Stars Academy Founder Mark Prentiss back in July before the school’s grand opening.
Prentiss, a chef and educator, transformed a closed elementary school in Center Line into a cooking haven, giving the students the opportunity to grow their own food, cook and learn social skills.
The main goal is to get the students who are 18 to 26 out into the workforce within two years. The academy is working with big names in the food industry, like Buffalo Wild Wings and Jet’s Pizza, to help train the students off site.
Aside from teaching students how to cook and prepare food, Rising Stars Academy aims to boost the self confidence of everyone who enrolls.
The academy also has a restaurant along with a community garden.
