High school and adult career training and education to meet the demands of today’s job market. Part time and full time courses available.
330-896-8200
Programs & Courses
Adult Courses
- Automotive Service Technician
- Cosmetology
- Dual Esthetician & Nail Technician
- Culinary & Hospitality
- Emergency Dispatch
- Esthetician
- Phlebotomy & EKG
- HVAC
- Manufacturing Technologies
- Nail Tech
- Phlebotomy
- Practical Nursing
- Plumbing
- Welding
Campus Locations
Uniontown, Ohio 4401 Shriver Road, Uniontown, Ohio 44685 [email protected]
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Portage Lakes Career Center has a highly polarized reputation, marked by dedicated teachers and successful program outcomes, but currently overshadowed by numerous severe, recent complaints regarding administration, high costs, and staff professionalism.
Overall Score: 3.6/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Trade Instructors: Many students and parents highly praise specific teachers, particularly in the Plumbing and Pipefitting program, for being “wonderful instructors” who provide great experience.
Strong Career Preparation: The school is commended for preparing people for “jobs in the real world” and skilled trades, with many mentioning a successful career start or advancement after graduation.
Cosmetology Program Success: The cosmetology/nail technology program specifically receives positive reviews for “great school” experience, quality work, and helping graduates achieve successful careers for a fraction of the cost of other schools.
Life Opportunities: The school is credited with giving high school students “an opportunity that no public school could ever give,” and for fostering a safe and enjoyable learning environment (in older reviews).
Common Criticisms
Money-Focused and Unreasonable Administration: A recurring, recent complaint is that the school is “very money hungry,” “unreasonable,” and does “not care about the education” of adult students, with some complaints specifically tied to the high cost of the nursing program.
Severe Administrative and Staff Misconduct: Multiple recent reviews cite “rude and disrespectful” teachers and staff who allegedly “cuss at students and call them inappropriate names.” Several students and parents described the atmosphere as a “disgrace” where adults act like “CHILDREN.”
Racial and Discrimination Allegations: At least two reviews explicitly raised serious concerns, with one stating a student of color was “forced to take my hair out and forced to be seen by the entire school and embarrassed” in the cosmetology program, and another expressing the impression that the staff is “racist” and does not like Black African American individuals.
Degradation of Hands-On Learning: Several HVAC students complained that the school “decided to tear out our lab in the middle of our school year,” compromising the “hands on” nature of their trade and showing a lack of value for their education.
Flailing Nursing Program: Multiple reviewers strongly advise against the nursing program due to “traumatic” experiences, a lack of “structure, guidance, patience, or empathy” from instructors, and newly hired instructors who are “not good at teaching.”
Momentum
The momentum for the Career Center is sharply negative. While older and isolated reviews praise individual instructors and career outcomes, a cluster of highly specific and severe complaints has emerged within the last 1.5 years. Recent issues—including the destruction of the HVAC lab, allegations of racism, staff misconduct, and the “money hungry” label—suggest the overall student experience and administrative integrity have significantly declined since “2020.” The current low score of 3.6 reflects the gravity of these recent operational and personnel problems, despite the continued success of some individual programs.