What Is It Known For?
Xenon Academy opened in 1986 and has spent over 30 years training beauty professionals across Nebraska. The school operates as Xenon, A Stephanie Moss Academy, with campuses in both Omaha and Grand Island to serve students throughout the region.
Their instructors bring decades of real industry experience along with educational expertise, giving you training from people who actually worked in salons and spas. With around 181 students enrolled annually across both locations, you get personalized attention while learning alongside a supportive peer group.
Degrees & Certifications
Xenon offers certificate programs in three core beauty disciplines:
- Cosmetology – 1,800 hours
- Esthetics – 600 hours
- Barbering – 1,800 hours (Omaha campus only)
Class Schedules
All classes happen in person with no online options available. The school runs a full-time schedule Tuesday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM, giving you three-day weekends while maintaining intensive training during the week.
After completing 200 classroom hours, you begin providing services to real clients under licensed instructor supervision. This gives you genuine professional experience without requiring externships at outside businesses, keeping your entire education under one roof.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Xenon Academy is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences.
Acceptance Rate
Xenon Academy has an open admission policy. This means that the school accepts 100% of the applicants who meet its basic enrollment requirements.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
At Xenon Academy, program costs reflect the different time commitments required for each specialty:
- Cosmetology: $19,250 for 1,800 hours
- Esthetics: $10,500 for 600 hours
- Barbering: $19,250 for 1,800 hours
These rates cover tuition, but additional costs for supplies and materials may apply. Use the school’s net price calculator to get a complete picture of your total expenses and plan your budget accordingly.
Programs & Courses
Business
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Criminal Justice & Law
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Healthcare
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Professional Services
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Skilled Trades
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Technology
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Campus Locations
Omaha 8516 Park Dr, Omaha, NE 68127
Reviews
Based on google reviews, Xenon A Stephanie Moss Academy operates as a highly affordable salon school providing excellent services, particularly in hair coloring and styling, due to the talent and dedication of its student stylists. However, the experience is inconsistent, with recurring complaints about front desk staff, scheduling, and the quality of specific services like manicures.
Overall Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Value and Price: The most significant draw is the “great price” and “very cheap” services. Clients consistently praise the quality relative to the cost, noting they receive high-quality work for often half the price of a traditional salon.
Talented and Dedicated Student Stylists: The student stylists are frequently praised for being “absolutely amazing,” “insanely talented,” and exceeding expectations, especially with complex work like bleaching, full highlights, and vibrant color changes.
Positive Service Experience: The students are frequently described as “super sweet,” “kind,” and making clients feel “very comfortable and relaxed.” Many reviewers leave feeling “beautiful” and happy with the result.
Effective Specialized Treatments: Services like the Brazilian Blowout and various facials receive praise for high quality and excellent results.
Common Criticisms
Inconsistent Quality in Nail Services: Services like manicures and pedicures receive the most intense negative feedback, with clients complaining of thin, filed-down nails, uneven painting, and students not following basic procedural steps (like soaking hands for a spa manicure).
Poor Front Desk and Customer Service: Several recent reviews express frustration with the front desk associates, citing poor customer service, bad attitudes, and unprofessional conduct that made the experience “extremely disappointing.”
Inconsistent Student Professionalism: While many students are excellent, there are instances where clients report an unsatisfactory experience due to a student being “rude” or “very rough,” highlighting the inherent inconsistency of receiving service from trainees.
Owner Response Consistency: The owner consistently responds to all negative reviews by asking the client to call the front desk and ask for a specific manager to “fix the situation,” showing an active effort to address complaints.
Momentum
The momentum for Xenon A Stephanie Moss Academy is strong for its main offering (hair services) but administratively weak. Clients are willing to tolerate the minor risks inherent in a school setting to receive excellent, highly affordable results from talented student stylists. However, the recurring failures in front-line customer service (front desk) and the reported lack of basic skills in nail services are major areas of friction that risk damaging the academy’s otherwise positive reputation.