From hair styling to make-up design and more, Burroughs High School is giving students a new way to develop career-ready skills with the introduction of a cosmetology course and Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway in the personal services industry.
“The motivation for offering the course is to expand the CTE course offerings and to offer a course we think the students will enjoy and benefit from,” said Principal Carrie Cope. “We want our students to be career- and college-ready when they leave BHS.”
The course is part of a newly-approved Personal Services CTE pathway, which was approved by the Sierra Sands Unified School District Board at its April 16 meeting. Cosmetology 1 will introduce students to the fundamentals of the field, including personal grooming, health and safety practices, hair-cutting and styling techniques, nail and skin care, and make-up design and application.
The class will be taught by a local salon owner and is designed to give students hands-on exposure to careers in cosmetology. Unlike the two-hour CTE courses currently on offer at Burroughs, Cosmetology 1 will meet for a single class period, making it more accessible for students with full schedules.
The course is open to next year’s juniors and seniors. Although course selection sheets have already been completed, counselors announced the new elective this week through the morning bulletin and email. Space in the class is limited, with priority going to those who have previously expressed an interest in cosmetology careers.
“When students meet with their counselors throughout the years, counselors discuss future plans,” said Principal Carrie Cope. “The counselors have notes on which students have discussed wanting to be in the cosmetology field after high school. Since the course is new, we will have to see how many students are interested and go from there.”
Junior Maycee McCrumb was quick to reach out to her counselor after hearing about the course.
“I’ve always been interested in cosmetology,” said McCrumb. “I want to be a nurse, but learning to do hair and nails could be a good side job.
School officials say the cosmetology course is just the beginning of the pathway. Cosmetology 2 and 3 will be offered the following year.
According to Counselor Kerri Graves, student response was overwhelmingly positive.
“The course was full before noon yesterday,” said Counselor Kerri Graves on Thursday.
Now there’s a waiting list.
“I wish we had more sections,” said Graves. “But, it’s a start.”
