Sedona Sky Academy
Sedona, AZ

---

Sedona Sky Academy
Cooks Up Excellence

Sedona Sky Academy, a fully licensed and accredited residential treatment center for young women ages 13-18, has introduced a new state-of-the-art culinary experience for students. Nutrition and culinary arts teacher Judy Haddon is leading the way.

"The popularity of shows like Top Chef, Chopped, and the whole Food Network have created a renewed energy and excitement around cooking in this country over the past several years, and we are excited to tap into the creativity and sense of accomplishment that comes from working in the kitchen," said Academic Director Ken Buxton.

Judy is an experienced instructor and chef. Her home kitchen is huge and spectacularly equipped, and Judy incorporates these aspects into Sedona Sky's program by anchoring her class with a food/nutrition textbook while supplementing in-class teaching with hands-on experience in the school kitchen. She works closely with school chef, Harry Dutter.

"The culinary class is second period, which is the period before lunch, so often Judy's girls will assist with the preparation of the day's lunch," said Ken. "This way, our culinary arts program provides not only legitimate academic credit, but it also affords the students some practical living skills."

And some of the Sedona Sky culinary students have taken what they learn to a level they might never have realized; recent program graduates have actually gone on to study at places like Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute of America.

Said Buxton, "At Sedona Sky, we're looking to open up the enormous potential and lifelong possibilities for our students. This is but one more way we're doing just that."

Located just outside Sedona, Arizona, Sedona Sky Academy serves young girls who may be experiencing family or peer conflict, academic failure, self-esteem issues, drug or alcohol use, and more. With 30 acres set in idyllic year-round weather, program highlights include a world-class horsemanship program, competitive athletics, rigorous college-prep academics that have resulted in 99% college placement success and SAT and ACT scores above the national average, and outstanding family workshops and peer mentorship programs.