Watertown’s Northeast Technical School Joins Record South Dakota ProStart Culinary Program Expansion

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Northeast Technical School in Watertown and several area school districts are among a record number of South Dakota high schools participating in the ProStart culinary arts and restaurant management program for the 2026-2027 school year.

According to an Oct. 21, 2026 release from the South Dakota Retailers Association, high schools in 28 communities statewide are offering the two-year, industry-backed curriculum this year.

Along with Northeast Technical School in Watertown, regional participants include Florence High School, the Hamlin School District, Clark High School, Willow Lake High School, Webster High School, and Aberdeen ATEC.

The National Restaurant Association administers ProStart nationally across 2,275 schools, and the South Dakota Retailers Association coordinates it statewide. The program introduces students to front-of-house and back-of-house operations, giving them a head start in the field and employers a stronger applicant pool.

Seanna Regynski, ProStart state coordinator, said the growth is good news for restaurants and the food service industry 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," Regynski said.

Elkton and Lower Brule high schools are offering the ProStart curriculum for the first time this school 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. "Many have relatives in the industry working food trucks or in restaurants."

2026-2027 Participating South Dakota ProStart School

The 2Schoolsh Dakota schools and districts 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

·         Vermillion High School

·         Wagner Community High School

·         Webster High School

·         Willow Lake High School