Why Choose Kohler Academy?

Certainly there are many things to consider when choosing a cosmetology or skin therapy school. Location, environment, curriculum and reputation are all factors when making your decision; the general "feel" you get when visiting a school is another.

When looking around for the school that is right for you, here are some things to consider, some questions to ask, and some food for thought. Why not print this list and bring it with you to all the schools you're checking out? Ask questions. Get answers. And make an informed decision. We feel certain the information gathered from asking these questions will lead you to choosing Kohler Academy - your first step toward preparing for an extraordinary career.

Can the other schools give you real, solid and honest answers to all these questions (and any other questions you can think of)? We can, so just ask! Our answers, as well as theirs, will help you answer the most important question of all: "Why Choose Kohler Academy?"

Location

Simply, where is the school located? What part of town is it in? Will you feel safe arriving there in the morning and leaving in the afternoon? What does the surrounding area have to offer?

Facility

Does the school present the environment you're looking for? Does the facility reflect the same leading-edge aesthetic found in the area's top salons and spas? Is there a commitment from ownership to maintain a clean, modern and functional facility?

Ownership

Who owns and runs the school? What is their background and experience in the professional beauty industry? Are they on-site and accessible? Are they committed to and passionate about the professional beauty industry, or is it just their latest business opportunity? What are their long-term plans?

Accreditation

If the school is new, are they an accreditation "candidate school", on the path to full accreditation*?

Curriculum

Who is the school's core curriculum provider? Why did they choose it? Did they "develop their own curriculum", and can they explain what that means?

Student Recognition

Are students recognized for their contributions and accomplishments, both big and small? How? Does the school have graduation ceremonies? Can friends and family attend?

Alumni

Does the school provide support to its graduates? How? Are alumni actively engaged and in-the-loop on school events?

Long-Term Goals of School

What are the long-term goals of the school? Is ownership focused more consistently on expansion or education? Strengthening the industry through educational excellence or profiting from the industry through financial opportunity?

Personal Involvement

Does the school provide opportunities to participate and contribute in areas of personal strength and interest? Do they have a Student Council, a Green Team, a Product Knowledge Team, a Music/Art/Fashion committee or anything similar?

Professional Development

What specific professional development skills will you learn? What % of your classroom time will be spent learning from guest speakers, industry leaders, technical experts and others? Who, specifically, has presented these topics in the past?

Personal Development

What personal growth and development activities and exercises does the school incorporate into its curriculum? Are the human and emotional aspects of our industry recognized and addressed?

Educators

Does the school demand technical and professional excellence from its educators? What kind of training do the school's educators have? Are they required to take advanced training classes on an ongoing basis, and what are they?

Student Feedback

What is the vibe coming from currently enrolled students? Do they speak highly of the school or do they seem ambivalent? Are they actively engaged or killing time until they graduate? What is the energy like in the Student Salon and Student Spa?

Career Planning

Will the school connect you with potential employers? How, specifically?
What kind of opportunities for interaction with industry employers will the school provide? Will you get opportunities for one-on-one "face time" during your course of study?

Local and National Salon & Spa Relationships

What kind of relationships does the school have with local salon and spa owners? National salon & spa owners? What specific events and networking opportunities has the school held for salon and spa owners and managers to build and strengthen their relationships?

Marketing & Advertising

Is there a serious commitment from ownership to drive business to the school's Student Salon and Student Spa for hands-on, real life experience? Is the Student Salon and Student Spa's marketing progressive, consistent and focused? Is the need for a solid marketing plan taken seriously and handled locally?

Media Relations

Anyone can write and post a press release on their website (we do it, too). But what unpaid press coverage, if any, has the school received? Has the school been featured in local and national media and in industry publications? Can they provide samples? Do they have a media kit that you can take a look at?

Community Relations

Is the school actively engaged in the local community through charitable giving, charitable events and volunteerism? What kinds of charitable activities has the school engaged in over the past 6 months?

Brand Partnerships

Does the school simply carry and sell multiple professional product lines or do they have educational partnerships with the industry's most widely respected brands? What is the extent of the relationships and how do they tie in to the school's curriculum?

Pricing

Is the school up-front about its tuition costs? Is it readily available over the phone or on the school's website? If not, why isn't it? Is seeking tuition cost information harder than it should be?

Kohler Academy Partners

Pivot Point is a registered service mark and trademark owned by Pivot Point International, Inc.