Capri Beauty College

Founded in 1960 with its first campus in Chicago, the school is a privately owned family business now in its second generation. The New Lenox campus sits in the Town Center Bank Building, about a mile east of I-80 and a short drive from the I-355 extension, and serves residents of New Lenox, Frankfort, Lockport, Joliet, Manhattan, Tinley Park, Mokena, Orland Park, Homer Glen and nearby unincorporated areas.

The campus covers about 7,100 square feet over two floors and includes cosmetology classrooms, practice suites, a facial room, locker space, indoor and outdoor break areas, and parking for more than 100 cars. The student salon and spa is run by supervised students, so clients receive services from students working under instructor oversight at lower prices than a traditional salon, according to the college.

The core program is a 1,500-clock-hour basic cosmetology course built on the Pivot Point curriculum. Day, evening and fast-track classes are offered, and students can finish in under a year or take up to 18 months. A state-approved internship allows up to 150 of those hours to be completed in an approved salon, and the New Lenox campus has a training agreement with high school districts 205 and 210.

Beyond student training, the college runs a Beauty As A Business course on social media, websites, photography, live video and promotions, along with a teacher training course and a short course for licensed cosmetologists. Career services help students look for entry-level salon jobs, and salons can post job listings and intern requests at no cost. The school does not guarantee employment in the field.

Clients should book ahead, since walk-ins are welcome but not always possible. Monthly specials run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and seniors 65 and older with ID receive a discount on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Groups can plan birthday beauty parties for girls ages 6 to 12 with a minimum of 10 guests, or request custom packages for events such as bridal parties, Girl Scouts, cheerleaders and manicure or pedicure parties. Campus tours are available by appointment and usually take about an hour.

Training follows a structured curriculum with supervised student services, and the school focuses on preparing graduates for licensing and entry-level work.

The building houses a training campus with teaching rooms, practice suites, and a student-run salon and spa where services are overseen by instructors.