Are you looking for an exciting new career in cosmetology? Look no further than Award Beauty School. Now you can enjoy the benefits of earning a great income, freedom to set your own schedule and the rewarding praise from satisfied customers. Students at Award Beauty School receive comprehensive training in hair braiding, haircuts, hair styling, skin care and customer service.
You will not only receive classroom instruction, but we provide real-world training from experienced instructors who teach you what it takes to be a sought-after hair stylist.
You will not only receive classroom instruction, but we provide real-world training from experienced instructors who teach you what it takes to be a sought-after hair stylist.
Services
Award Beauty School has been training students in Hagerstown, Maryland and the tri-state area for over fifty (50) years. The facility features modern beauty equipment, separate theory classrooms and a modern laboratory where the advanced students receive practical and clinical training. Award Beauty School is approved for financial aid programs and offers job placement assistance upon graduation.
Award Beauty School is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to provide financial assistance to those who qualify. These requirements for Financial Assistance are applicable to our Cosmetology and Professional Barber Programs. Award Beauty School is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Today, the growing beauty/barber industry offers a dramatically unique "zero unemployment" factor-needing many more new salon professionals than we can supply. There has been notable national growth in the salon/barber industry since 1999 as well as here in Maryland. The total number of salon/barber professionals increased nationally by 24 percent, while the total number of salons also increased 5.6 percent since 1999. The number of salon/barber professionals leaving their positions stabilized and this shrinkage has decreased by 12 percent since 1999.
Thank you for considering Award Beauty School! We would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to answer the following questions. Please be assured that we do not share or sell personal information about you except when we have your permission. If you'd like to speak directly to an admissions representative, you may also contact us at 301-733-4520.
Reviews (9)
Tina Disrow
Feb 21, 2022
Brittany Luhn
Jan 07, 2022
Pamela Chappell-Gregory
Sep 25, 2021
SaniShua Shear'S.
Apr 15, 2021
Mom Vette
Nov 29, 2020
Nzuri Malkia
Jan 06, 2020
A few months ago, I went to this school excited. I am a Person of Melanin Skin. I do not have 4C hair but it is close. Because it is a learning environment, I understood when they had someone who never touched hair of my texture. She had to wash my hair twice because a student suggested that she put Shea Butter in my hair. She had it in clumps. My experience started at 2:00 pm.
I wanted a st. I felt that was safe for a newbie. At one point, a graduate was kind to get in my hair and visually show the student how to comb my hair and do a roller set. The graduate student did more than the instructors. It is getting close for me to go to work when I finally suggested that another student help. They gave me another student who knew nothing about my type of hair but she was given instructions on how to do it and she appeared to be happy to help.
While I was under the dryer, the evening class started. The original student was constantly complaining that she has to babysit her siblings and her ride maybe waiting on her. It was like she was insinuating that the length of time it was taking her was my fault. I left the dryer early. I still have not paid. The evening instructor is now agitated at me for still being there. Again, as if it is my fault.
I could have not been honest and not paid. The instructor claimed that she could not sign my parking space ticket for free parking because the only people who does it is the office. It is now 6:00 pm. I was not thanked for coming but treated as an intruder. I went across the street to the Barber School and vented to one of the instructors. She walked me to the parking garage and got me out free.
Since this was on a Friday, I called the following Monday and spoken to a women from the office. She explained that her biggest concern was how I was treated by the instructor. My concern was the whole entire experience. Women of Melanin Skin is the major reason the beauty industry is a billion dollar one. This school does not put that in consideration. Why?
I was told by the women from the office that next time I should call to see if they will have someone who is able to do "natural hair" because my hair is not permed. This is unfortunate that People of Melanin Skin are not valued that I have to come on days and times when someone knows how to do my hair type. I would have thought that they would have learned from this experience and decided to incorporate more teachings and practice on different hair textures of Women of Melanin Skin. Obviously, we are unimportant. I spent four hours in a chair and was treated poorly. It was my first experience and will be my last.
I wanted a st. I felt that was safe for a newbie. At one point, a graduate was kind to get in my hair and visually show the student how to comb my hair and do a roller set. The graduate student did more than the instructors. It is getting close for me to go to work when I finally suggested that another student help. They gave me another student who knew nothing about my type of hair but she was given instructions on how to do it and she appeared to be happy to help.
While I was under the dryer, the evening class started. The original student was constantly complaining that she has to babysit her siblings and her ride maybe waiting on her. It was like she was insinuating that the length of time it was taking her was my fault. I left the dryer early. I still have not paid. The evening instructor is now agitated at me for still being there. Again, as if it is my fault.
I could have not been honest and not paid. The instructor claimed that she could not sign my parking space ticket for free parking because the only people who does it is the office. It is now 6:00 pm. I was not thanked for coming but treated as an intruder. I went across the street to the Barber School and vented to one of the instructors. She walked me to the parking garage and got me out free.
Since this was on a Friday, I called the following Monday and spoken to a women from the office. She explained that her biggest concern was how I was treated by the instructor. My concern was the whole entire experience. Women of Melanin Skin is the major reason the beauty industry is a billion dollar one. This school does not put that in consideration. Why?
I was told by the women from the office that next time I should call to see if they will have someone who is able to do "natural hair" because my hair is not permed. This is unfortunate that People of Melanin Skin are not valued that I have to come on days and times when someone knows how to do my hair type. I would have thought that they would have learned from this experience and decided to incorporate more teachings and practice on different hair textures of Women of Melanin Skin. Obviously, we are unimportant. I spent four hours in a chair and was treated poorly. It was my first experience and will be my last.
Dawson Harris
Feb 07, 2019
Rob
Dec 29, 2018
So before I explain the 2 stars, I just would like to make this known that this is based on my personal experience at Award Beauty school, and may not be yours. I started Award beauty school in June of 2017, and it took me approximately 1 year and a month to graduate, and be a licensed barber. After diving into the industry, I've come to realize that schools are more so about pumping students through than the experience of being educated.
I can honestly say, when I left, and was put into a shop, that is where I begun to "learn" how to cut hair. I honestly can't blame that on the instructors either, the cuts just weren't there at night school. I can also honestly say that after being there for a year, Award and most other barber schools should really consider a quarterly schedule to bring new students in, rather than pumping new students in every month after pressuring them by claiming there is a waitlist, and you can either start now or 8 months or so later.
If you do that, it is less stressful on staff, and allows a better learning environment for everyone. The staff (teaching level) were great. Clay became a great friend of mine, and I still show him my progress time from time. Mrs. T was also amazing when it came to cosmetology tips. They don't get enough credit, in my opinion. The main thing that really irks me about this place, is getting into a shop that literally everyone went to award beauty school, and hearing practically the same story as mine, and that they really didn't start learning how to cut until they got into a shop, pressured into enrolling, etc etc.
I guess that's "how it is" is the main excuse in our industry. Another thing that irks me is that we had a theory part of the day, where you'd get into a classroom and learn the book part of everything, where the entire class would one by one read out loud parts of the chapter and then at the end of the week there would be a test. I personally couldn't focus, so I actually stopped going midway through the year, and read the book myself, twice.
I understand that is how some people learn, but that's just some people. I cannot listen to people who cannot read, try to read, it's not my thing. While my barber career is well on its way, I have $12,000 in loans from going to a school where I didn't really learn anything but the absolute basics, and self taught myself everything in the book, and passed both state board tests with flying colors with one day of prep (for the practical).
I essentially paid $12,000 plus interest for about $700 (not factoring in all the manikin heads I used) in barber tools, a couple of new friends, basic barbering skills (it was a bumpy anxiety filled road) and a book. It would've been nice to have some of that knocked off since I self taught myself practically everything that mattered, but that's just business I guess.
I can honestly say, when I left, and was put into a shop, that is where I begun to "learn" how to cut hair. I honestly can't blame that on the instructors either, the cuts just weren't there at night school. I can also honestly say that after being there for a year, Award and most other barber schools should really consider a quarterly schedule to bring new students in, rather than pumping new students in every month after pressuring them by claiming there is a waitlist, and you can either start now or 8 months or so later.
If you do that, it is less stressful on staff, and allows a better learning environment for everyone. The staff (teaching level) were great. Clay became a great friend of mine, and I still show him my progress time from time. Mrs. T was also amazing when it came to cosmetology tips. They don't get enough credit, in my opinion. The main thing that really irks me about this place, is getting into a shop that literally everyone went to award beauty school, and hearing practically the same story as mine, and that they really didn't start learning how to cut until they got into a shop, pressured into enrolling, etc etc.
I guess that's "how it is" is the main excuse in our industry. Another thing that irks me is that we had a theory part of the day, where you'd get into a classroom and learn the book part of everything, where the entire class would one by one read out loud parts of the chapter and then at the end of the week there would be a test. I personally couldn't focus, so I actually stopped going midway through the year, and read the book myself, twice.
I understand that is how some people learn, but that's just some people. I cannot listen to people who cannot read, try to read, it's not my thing. While my barber career is well on its way, I have $12,000 in loans from going to a school where I didn't really learn anything but the absolute basics, and self taught myself everything in the book, and passed both state board tests with flying colors with one day of prep (for the practical).
I essentially paid $12,000 plus interest for about $700 (not factoring in all the manikin heads I used) in barber tools, a couple of new friends, basic barbering skills (it was a bumpy anxiety filled road) and a book. It would've been nice to have some of that knocked off since I self taught myself practically everything that mattered, but that's just business I guess.
Christen Smith
Oct 30, 2017
Can't beat these PRICES! FOR A CUT IT'S ONLY $8 & includes wash! (shampoo/ conditioner) HIGHLIGHTS DONE W/CAP is $30 & to have HIGHLIGHTS DONE W/FOIL it's $40! I had a wonderful experience there the last time, so chances of going back for another cut, is a definite! But FYI, if your on a tight timed schedule, don't go! Must plan to possibly be there for more than an hour, even if it is something simple! THESE PEOPLE ARE LEARNING AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GIVE YOU THE RESULTS OF WHAT YOU WANT! OH & ALSO A VERY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE!
