PR Partners Academy

PR Partners Academy is a cosmetology school at 11740 Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas. Its student salon takes public guests, so clients can get services while students train in a clinic setting.

The academy is part of a company that began about thirty-five years ago, founded by business partners Reginald Laws and Ian Duncan as a salon where staff shared ownership. The first US salon opened in 1990 in the DC Metro area. The company now has 15 salons and recently opened PR Barbers, its first barbering salon. The company describes its salons as award-winning.

Guest services are offered Tuesday through Thursday at 9:15 and 1pm. Appointments can be booked by calling 703-479-7023, and walk-ins are welcome. Every guest service is performed by a supervised student under the guidance of a licensed instructor. Free haircuts are offered during select training sessions. Listed service prices do not include blow dry or styling. According to the academy, its services are offered at modest prices.

The cosmetology program moves through three phases: Rising Star, Rockstar and Superstar. Rising Star covers the fundamentals of haircutting, color, texture, styling, esthetics, nails and communication, practiced on mannequin heads. Rockstar brings students onto a fully equipped clinic salon floor with live models. Superstar adds a salon showcase and job fair with salon owners, along with resume writing, interviewing, portfolio building and state board exam preparation.

Training follows the Virginia State Board course of study, which requires a minimum of 150 theory hours and 50 performance hours for haircutting, and a minimum of 155 theory hours and 320 performance hours for hair design. Students also use the Lab by Pivot Point, a digital social learning environment.

Braiding and specialty styles are available on inquiry.

The academy's mission is to help graduates succeed in cosmetology by supporting each student's goals and encouraging self-directed learning of their career path. Students practice on real clients under supervision as they progress through the program.