Long Beach High School has launched a new barbering program this year, giving students hands-on experience in hair-cutting techniques and a chance to explore career pathways in the industry.
To celebrate the program’s launch, Principal Andy Smith and Rich Rogers, the district’s director of social studies, business and work-based learning, took seats in the barber chairs on Sept. 30 for inaugural haircuts from student barbers, most of whom are beginners.
“The experience allowed students to put their developing skills into practice while showcasing the authentic, career-connected learning at the heart of the program,” a district news release stated. “The barbering program reflects Long Beach High School’s commitment to expanding career-connected opportunities and helping students build confidence, explore their interests and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.”
The program, which was approved as part of the district’s 2026-27 spending plan in May, is part of a new BOCES co-enrollment program for high school students now offered in Long Beach.
For the last two and a half hours of the day, 10 students meet in Room 208 — a newly converted barbering shop — under the tutelage of BOCES instructor Dan Wallace, the former proprietor of the nearly century-old New Park Haircutters, in Rockville Centre.
An instructor for the past 10 years, Wallace said he has cut hair since he was in elementary school, and earned his certification by completing a course at the Long Island Barber Institute, in Hempstead. A resident of Long Beach since 2020, Wallace said it’s great for students to learn skills that move beyond a textbook.
“You’re seeing more and more career and technical education going into these schools,” he said. “Academics might not be for everyone. And even if it is for you, you could still have some sort of skill in your pocket.”
Students begin by learning basic cutting techniques, including 0-, 45- and 90-degree cutting angles, sectioning, shearing and clipping techniques, practicing on mannequins. As the year progresses, they will learn barbering services such as fades, tapers, shaves, facials, beard trims and eyebrow work. Those who complete 500 hours of class time and 54 hours of work-based learning — linking academic and learning with real-world workplace tasks — become eligible to sit for the New York state barber examination.
One student, senior Tyrese Hoyas, is just shy of completing the class-time requirement. Hoyas, 17, spent last year immersed in the program at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, in Westbury, and, Wallace said, will be eligible to take the state exam as early as November.
Growing up, Hoyas said, he began cutting his own hair because it was curly and coarse, and barbers had trouble styling it — and his family’s financial challenges made it difficult to find the right service.
When he learned Long Beach was offering the course, Hoyas said, he jumped at the chance to secure a spot. Last year, he said, he had just three class periods, starting before 8 a.m., for his desired classes at the high school before leaving for BOCES for the day at around 10 a.m.
“I was actually very excited because I didn’t have to take the long bus ride there,” he said, adding that the new class at the high school “gave me a few extra periods throughout the day to take certain classes that I couldn’t have taken last year.”
Beyond haircuts, the program covers practical skills such as career and financial management, resume writing and business planning — which will be the final class project. Wallace said that students would also have job shadowing and internship opportunities.
The barbershop in Room 208, he said, will eventually offer free haircuts and other services to students and faculty. The program is also planning field trips, guest speakers, service-learning projects and participation in events such as the annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving charity event, in which students raise money for childhood cancer research.
“I have a lot of students from the past who’ve been very successful in the industry, some even cutting famous athletes and rappers,” Wallace said. “So I bring them in to speak to the students, do demos. A lot of job opportunities do arise from here.”
Hoyas said he hoped to make barbering a career. He has already begun cutting his friends’ hair, both in and outside the classroom.
“This is something I really want to do after high school,” he said.
