For six years, students at Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy asked for the same opportunity: a culinary program.
Finally, their request became a reality.
“Culinary should be offered at every school because learning how to make food is a basic human necessity, but beyond that, it teaches organization, research skills, and an appreciation for cultures around the world. It helps you become a better individual,” Emily S. said.
Longfellow is the only Dallas ISD middle school to offer culinary arts, and the campus ranks among the top 10 middle schools in Texas, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
A coveted two-year pathway, the sequence begins with classes in hospitality and tourism and culminates in culinary arts during students’ eighth-grade year.
“We researched and designed our own hotel,” Azirah S. said. “This program taught me organization skills and critical thinking.
I like that we’re able to have fun, even though we’re in a learning environment.”
Drawing from her experience as a 16-year science teacher, Kathryn Holmes brings a unique lab-style approach to culinary instruction, emphasizing structure and understanding the why behind each technique.
“They have been in the kitchen washing dishes, sanitizing, organizing, chopping, and taking trash out—learning how a true kitchen works,” Holmes said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for growth and creative outlets for this program.”
Lessons often connect food to history and culture. Students also explored the origins of fountain drinks and why they were once served in pharmacies, and they recently visited the Ritz-Carlton, where they met a Michelin-star chef and observed professional kitchen operations firsthand.
“We’ve learned how to organize a kitchen and ‘mis en place’, which is just “everything in place” in French,” Mia L. said. “When I become an adult, it’ll definitely help me be organized in the kitchen, because I would not have done that otherwise.”
Students also roll up their sleeves for food labs like salt tastings, butter-making microwaving lava cakes and ramen, and tossing salads with house-made dressings.
By the end of eighth grade, students have the chance to earn their food handler certification.
This year nearly 150 students earned theirs, leaving Longfellow with strong communication skills, a deep understanding of professionalism, and a clear view of the many paths a career in hospitality can offer.
