The New You Starts Today!

  TL;DR
For an in depth, personalized, and truly local cosmetology education; attend this hidden gem of Chicago.

If you are looking for a hair school, look no further! I am a big... read more proponent of shopping local, but for an investment like my education I was a bit nervous and did consider going to a school with more name recognition. But the level of personalized education you will receive at Steven Papageorge is better than anything else I have seen or heard from graduates from other schools in the area.

When SPHA was recommended to me, flexibility was the main selling point and that highly appealed to me as someone that had to work and take care of 2 kids while in school. I soon learned flexibility is only the tip of the iceberg.

Steven, the owner, is a caring and only wants the absolute best for his students. He is a constant presence at school and is always looking for new ways to practice our skills. (Hair cut vouchers with a local shelter, styling fashion shows, etc.) Alex works on the office side and will help with applying for loans or financial aid. How I was going to pay for school was never a worry.

The crown jewel of SPHA is the educators. Not only are they masters of their craft, but are passionate about education. They are supportive, kind, know when you push you, and actually care about you as a person. Their goal is for you to create the best work you can. Each one is so special and truly has a gift for teaching.

As for the state board, they make sure you are beyond well prepared. I am the worst, most anxious test taker you can imagine. They never made me feel bad about my practice scores and helped me focus on what I should study. I took it as many times as I needed and had their constant support until I was receiving near perfect scores. Ms. Carol and Ms. Summer have made sure I am confident and I couldn't be more grateful.

Lastly, it truly is a family. I love my instructors so much and the hardest part about graduating was leaving them. Sounds cheesy, but its true.

Again, best kept secret of Chicago. If you want to learn hair, Steven Papageorge is the way to go.

  I wouldn't be where I am today without Steven & Analie at Steven Papageorge Hair Academy! They are the most advanced in the cosmetology school industry! They provide excellent education... read more in hair and are constantly bringing in educators from the top beauty companies (i.e. Schwartzkopf, loreal, Joico, and Oribe) I can't thank them enough for preparing me for my career! It's also located in a wonderful area! Right by the EL Stop! Couldn't have been a more perfect fit for me

  If you realize it always grows back and don't mind sitting in the chair a bit longer than at a full service salon, this might be the place for you.... read more Your visit helps the students gain experience but you need to realize perfection takes lots of practice. Be sure to bring CASH for a tip since they won't add it to your card. Prices super low. Conveniently located across from the end of the brown line at Kimball.

  Absolutely love getting services here.
I've been here for a balayage  as well as a cut.
Services with a student may seem intimidating but at this place there is no need to... read more fear as there are amazing teachers always supervising.
It is a learning process for them so please budget some extra time and patience but get ready for the best deal and beautiful results.
I tend to panic when it comes to doing much of anything with my curly, unruly, fine and generally annoying hair, especially since it takes FOREVER to grow due to a thyroid condition. The phrase "it'll grow out" may be true for some people's bad hair choices but mine stick around for a lot longer.
That's why I'm so happy I found this gem and am so thankful for the wonderful care and coaching the teachers give their students so that everyone feels confident and happy with the results!

  Our whole family has been coming here and working with Lourtes for over 6 years and this place is awesome and everyone is so wonderful! We really can't say enough... read more good things about them!

We started coming here in 2010 before my husband and I got married and now we bring our whole family here including our 2-year old (boy) and our 4-year old (girl). My husband and I have been loyal customers for years; our kids also love coming here for their haircuts! They get so much attention from everyone and our daughter always gets her hair styled whatever way she wants! They are patient, take their time, and always make sure we are 100% satisfied! And you really can't beat the price!

I would highly recommend this place to anyone!

  I was a salon owner for about 4 years before deciding to go to cosmetology school. I started at Pivot Point in Evanston but never felt the school cared for... read more me as a student and so I transferred to Steven Papageorge Hair Academy - it was the best career decision I could have made!

The teachers at Steven Papageorge Hair Academy are very knowledgeable, patient, and truly care to teach (plus some of the teachers are still working stylists, and speak Spanish). The school uses professional hair salon products, teaches the latest cutting and color techniques, and always had professional guests going in to teach and inspire us! The school always had enough clients going in allowing the students to get all the practice necessary to apply everything learned!

Steven Papageorge Hair Academy is very involved in the hair industry as the owner, Steven, has several hair salons throughout the city, actually oversees what goes on at the school and has been in the hair industry for a long time!  The school also had a flexible schedule which allowed me to continue working all along.

I have been a salon owner for 12 years now, have worked with my stylists from all cosmetology schools in Chicago, and still believe Steven Papageorge Hair Academy will give you the best education for you money! This academy will give you all the tools needed to expand your creativity, technical skills, and prepare you to pass the State Board Exam in order to get licensed!

  I had a great experience, they worked as a team and gave me exactly what I was looking for! And the scalp massage ‍ was everything! Went in for a... read more balayage and is so pretty!

Thank you!

And using all protocols for COVID

  Steve Papageorge hair academy is the best in the whole Chicago area . I have had so many talented students coming from their academy educated and trained to enter the... read more real world of high end salons in Chicago.
I'm beyond thankful to their staff and how they educate and train their students.
We are high end salon and spa in Lincoln Park area , we serve only very high end clientele.
Steve Papageorge academy prepares and trains the student ready for big tickets hands on cutting/ coloring and styling. I only trust them for a good licensed student in town. Our apprentice program runs very well based on their education. We expect nothing less but the best stylist in town. Im very thankful to be working with a such a good school that really cares about their students, it only helps all of us all around.
I highly recommend this academy just because I know there will be very good talented students coming out of it... whoever is ready to take the next big step on going to cosmetology school! I highly recommend this program.
You get so much support from the owners and the staff that you will never find anywhere else in town.

Lincoln Park Hair Salon & Spa

  I have platinum blonde Asian hair that requires monthly maintenance (double process + toner). I've gone to other salons that charge me upwards of $400. No joke. That's more than... read more half my rent!

I went to Steven Papageorge Hair Academy several weeks ago for a haircut. The instructors encouraged me to return for color services because they thought my hair was very damaged and poorly bleached.

I went on Tuesday morning and brought a drink, lunch and reading material. It takes at least three hours every month to bleach and tone my hair. I always come prepared! I had a student work on my hair under the supervision of several instructors. After a few hours, my hair came out a silvery gray with absolutely no brassiness, breakage and damage!

The cost for double process plus toner was $60. Amazing!

Everyone at Papageorge Hair Academy is super sweet and the instructors are very knowledgeable. I will definitely return later this month for a touch-up!

  I went to Steven Papageorge like 6-7 years ago

I had the best educators like Carol , leticia , Lourdes, analie and of course Steven Papageorge

They worked so hard... read more on me to be where I'm today
I'm From Puerto Rico and they have class in Spanish and English

Love love the dedication they gave me , and I'm
Very proud and happy to be part of the family Steven Papageorge  love you and miss you all .
Now I'm working on Michigan Ave and Walton st
One of the best salon in Gold Coast

The harder you work for something , The greater you will feel when you archive it

  This school is great! My employer was delightfully surprised to know the techniques I knew were taught to me at this school. It's affordable, and the teachers really take the... read more time to answer your questions. I never felt stupid asking something I was already shown if it just didn't click, and they really make sure you know your stuff. Forever grateful for my time here!

  It's a beauty school, so things may go slowly. The students work on you, but they're constantly monitored and may just take longer because they're discussing things with their teacher.... read more If you don't mind that, it's a really good way to get an inexpensive haircut. I just wanted a basic trim and clean up on my very long straight hair, so I called them and found out it was going to be just $14 for shampoo, blow dry, and trim. $14 seems to be the standard price for most basic women's haircuts. I think it's $9 for basic men's haircuts. Not bad at all.