Students working with clients in Durfee High School's cosmetology salon

Fall River, Massachusetts

B.M.C. Durfee High School

460 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA 02720
Visit website 508-675-8100
Program price
Price unavailable
Schedule
Schedule unavailable
Program length
1,000 hoursFour-year high-school pathway, including ninth-grade exploration
Next start
Not available

About the program

At B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River, cosmetology is a four-year high-school pathway beginning with ninth-grade exploration and continuing through advanced training in grades 10–12. Students work toward 1,000 hours of cosmetology training alongside their high-school studies.

The program covers hair cutting and styling, chemical services, skin and nail care, safety, professional communication and customer service. Senior students practice with clients in the school’s Elevations Beauty Academy salon and build a portfolio of their work.

Explore the cosmetology program

What you get

  • School qualifications: Completing the academic and CTE requirements earns both a High School Diploma and a Career and Vocational Technical Education Certificate. The technical certificate requires passing theory and shop work in grades 10–12 and the program’s safety certification.
  • Cosmetology examination: Complete 1,000 training hours to qualify for the Massachusetts cosmetology state board examination. Earning the school qualifications is not the same as obtaining a professional license; the examination is a separate step.
  • Practical preparation: Senior salon work and a portfolio help you demonstrate the skills developed during training.
Read school graduation requirements

Schedules & start dates

The pathway begins with Durfee Discovery in grade 9, followed by cosmetology study in grades 10, 11 and 12. Seniors gain client-service experience in the school salon.

The salon’s public appointment days are not a student class timetable. Exact cosmetology class times and weekly training hours are not available.

Class schedule not available

Cost & financial aid

Program price

Price unavailable

A uniform is required during cosmetology training. A complete program cost, including any uniform, kit, supplies or examination charges, is not available. This high-school pathway should not be treated as a confirmed zero-cost program.

Federal financial aid

Eligibility not confirmed

How to enroll

Entry requirements

  • Who can apply: Fall River students seeking high-school CTE admission, with promotion to the intended grade and available places required. Resident students attending private or charter schools may also apply.
  • Other school backgrounds: Homeschooled students can apply with the superintendent’s home-school approval letter. Transfer students from another Chapter 74 program have a conditional route when they move to Fall River.
  • Program placement: Ninth graders explore CTE programs before choosing a pathway. Cosmetology places are limited, so joining CTE does not guarantee your first-choice program.
  • Training hours: The cosmetology page states that students begin accumulating the required 1,000 hours at age 16 and must finish them by the end of senior year to take the state examination.
Review CTE admissions information

Application steps

  1. Complete the CTE application with your parent or guardian and current school counselor. Include the required signatures and submit it to the CTE Office, Room 1600B.
  2. Complete the admissions review. The application considers grades, attendance, conduct and the counselor’s recommendation.
  3. Choose courses after acceptance. Complete the course-selection sheet with your counselor and parent or guardian.
  4. Choose your technical pathway after exploration. Ninth graders rank a first, second and third program choice. If cosmetology has more applicants than places, exploratory grades determine placement; another choice may be needed.
Open the 2026–27 CTE application

School approval & accreditation

Massachusetts school or program approval
Approval number:
00950505
Status:
Active
Learn more about Massachusetts school approval
Accreditation
Not confirmed

Sources

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