New school completes accreditation reviews

President Patrick Bene and vice president Vicki Bene say currently 84 percent of their students are gainfully employed.

This husband and wife team focuses on helping students realize their potential through study and practice. They assist in securing funding, and help students with career and personal advice. To help students prepare for the state board exam they provide one-on-one tutoring, and "make sure if a student wants to learn, they will succeed. Our mission statement says we prepare them for a career. Our teachers and staff feel very strongly about that."

The Spring Hill campus of Bene's International School of Beauty officially opened in October. They offer courses in cosmetology, barbering, aesthetician (skin), nails and massage therapy. Their clinic offers discounted services that are supervised by licensed instructors.

Because of its accreditation, the school is able to offer federal financial aid. Earlier in November their accrediting body, NACCAS (the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences) spent three days at the New Port Richey main campus and the new Spring Hill site reviewing practices and files, and interviewing students and staff to ensure guidelines are being followed.

Patrick explained, "NACCAS (naccas.org) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. By meeting their guidelines, the DOE allows our students to receive federal financial aid like Pell Grants and direct loans (commonly known as Title Four funding).

"This visit included our normal five-year renewal and a visit to Spring Hill.The committee was very happy and we expect our accreditation to be granted for another five years."

As part of their accreditation, the school tracks all students through admission, attendance, graduation, state licensing, and employment. Data is reported to the NACCAS, Florida CIE (Commission for Independent Education), and the DOE. For 2008, the school reported a graduation rate of 75 percent, licensing rate of 85 percent and employment rate of 84 percent.

The school has operated since 1976 and been accredited since 1979. The Benes have owned it since 2004, currently employing 46 people. Patrick says when they realized there were "a good percentage of students commuting from the Spring Hill area" they decided to expand. "With the price of gas, the commute was a hardship. I decided if there were 20 students willing to manage that hardship, there were probably another 40 who wanted to attend but couldn't make the drive."

Patrick has a strong financial management background and has taught at the college level. An ultramarathoner and ironman triathlete, he challenges the staff to stay healthy, even purchasing memberships to Shapes fitness for female staffers. He added, "I talk to students about the races I run and the challenges, to help them realize nothing is impossible. If you try hard enough you can complete even insurmountable tasks."

Vicki has worked with challenged youth and was a foster parent support specialist. The Benes have also been foster parents. Patrick added, "Vicki manages our student body. Her experience allows her to relate to the challenges many students have, which range from broken relationships and family problems to failed goals or run-ins with the law. Starting a new career can be just what they need - a fresh new start on life."

Patrick reports an increase in the demand for classes.

"When the economy is down, people look to re-train in professions where they can find work. We have a solid history of our graduates finding work. People still need a haircut. Many massage therapists work for physical therapists and chiropractors as well as spas and clinics."

The school's courses and admission requirements are detailed on their Web site.

The Benes participate in an annual fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness, charity raffles, sponsor free services days where all money goes to a charity, and do field trips to nursing homes to provide nail services. The Benes say they "hope the school becomes an integrated member of the community and that we are able to provide a service people can depend upon. We would like to have a reputation of excellence in education, in caring for the student and in service to the client."

Bene's International School of Beauty is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with clinic services (walk-ins welcome) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They plan to begin evening clinic services in December. Call for more information. Spring Hill head teacher is Anita Nugent. Call Patricia Martin to scheduled an admissions appointment.

Biz at a glance:

Name - Bene's International School of Beauty Inc.

Spring Hill campus - 1486 Pinehurst Drive

Telephone - 352-263-2744

Admissions e-mail - patmartinbisb@gmail.com

Web site: www.isbschool.com