The Academies of Chapel Hill (ACH) Cosmetology students are gaining valuable experience beyond the classroom by providing salon services to members of the community during recurring Salon Nights and Salon Saturdays.
The events allow students to apply the techniques they have learned in class while developing the communication, customer-service and time-management skills required in a professional salon. All services are performed by students under the supervision and guidance of cosmetology instructors.
“Salon Nights and Salon Saturdays give our students an opportunity to practice both their technical and people skills with real clients,” ACH Cosmetology teacher Virginia Johnson said. “They are learning how to communicate with customers, build relationships and become confident professionals. The connections they form now may continue after graduation as they begin their cosmetology careers.”
The program recently hosted a successful Salon Night, where students worked with community clients and gained confidence through hands-on experience. Chapel Hill ISD thanks everyone who attended and supported the students as they developed their skills.
“These events represent exactly what we want students to experience through the Academies of Chapel Hill—authentic learning that connects the classroom to a future career,” “Our students are building professional skills, serving their community and preparing to enter the workforce with meaningful experience already behind them,” said Laura Helm, Director of Academies of Chapel Hill ISD.
Salon Nights and Salon Saturdays also provide community members with access to salon services at discounted student rates. Because the services are part of the students’ learning experience, appointments may take longer than they would in a traditional salon. Instructors remain available throughout each service to offer guidance and ensure students receive the support they need.
“We ask our clients to be patient and remember that some students may be serving their first customers,” Johnson said. “Every visit gives a student the opportunity to learn, improve and take another step toward becoming an outstanding member of the workforce.”
Salon services at the Academies of Chapel Hill are open to all members of the community on the following recurring schedule:
Salon Nights: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 4–7 p.m.
Salon Saturdays: Third Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.–noon
Location: The Academies of Chapel Hill at Chapel Hill High School
Appointments can be made at: salon@chapelhillisd.org
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