ORANGE PARK – Ridgeview High was honored with a grant from the Rachael Ray Foundation’s ProStart Grow Grant to help the school improve its student experience and update its curriculum, classroom supplies, and educational opportunities for its culinary students.

More than 1,850 schools from 40 states representing nearly 165,000 students, participate in the program. Ridgeview was one of only 40 schools nationwide with a $5,000 grant.

“The culinary program will benefit heavily from this grant, allowing us to purchase a new refrigerator and buy more pasta,” said culinary instructor Amy LaPierra.

LaPierra and two students were asked to write a three-paragraph essay on why Ridgeview should be considered. LaPierra said trying to condense so much information into three paragraphs was no easy task.

“This is huge for the culinary department. This will help us greatly for years to come,” she said.

According to the foundation, ProStart, a two-year technical education program focused on culinary arts and restaurant management who are closely connected to industry experts through guest speakers, class mentors, tours of local facilities, student competitions, and more – all to ensure the real-world experience is brought directly to the classroom. ProStart students finish the program ready to join the workforce and make an immediate impact in restaurants and food service.

Funding from RRF will allow schools to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills.

“We are optimistic that these grants will give teachers some fresh opportunities to capture the imagination of their students and teach them why our industry is a place where they can build a career,” Ray said.

Ridgeview was one of five schools selected from Florida.