The American Association of Career Schools (AACS) has announced its 2026 Golden School Award winners, recognizing exceptional performance by U.S. schools specializing in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, barbering, and massage therapy.
At the awards ceremony in Las Vegas during the organization’s 2026 Annual Conference, AACS bestowed the top honor to Nurtur Aveda Institute Chapel Hill as School of the Year. The newly introduced Small School of the Year award went to The Art of Beauty Academy.
Paul Mitchell The School Esani, last year’s School of the Year, earned two honors for 2026: Advocacy and Legacy Alumni. Fellow Paul Mitchell campus Paul Mitchell The School Pasadena was recognized for Community Involvement.
Other notable winners included Aveda Fredric’s Institute Cincinnati
Other notable winners included Aveda Fredric’s Institute Cincinnati for Marketing Innovation, Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design for Placement, Phagans School of Hair Design for Facilities, Douglas J Institute for Student Salon & Spa, and Penrose Academy for School Culture.
The organization also named its Director of the Year: Alcott Czubek of Pivot Point, and Volunteers of the Year: Frank Trieu of Evergreen Beauty College and Brenda Scharman of Cameo College of Essential Beauty.
“When I look at this year’s Golden School Award winners, I see schools that are placing graduates in good jobs, giving back to their communities, and building places where students believe in what they can become,” says AACS’ newly minted Board Chair, Stacy Wells, co-founder of L’esprit Academy.
That work happens in small towns and big
“That work happens in small towns and big cities alike, and you can see it every time someone walks into a salon, a barbershop, or a spa.”
The American Association of Career Schools is a national nonprofit that represents private schools offering career training in beauty, barbering, and wellness education. Since 1924, it has provided advocacy, professional development, and rearber, and massage education
Formerly American Association of Cosmetology Schools, it changed its name in recent years to better reflect the diverse fields it represents.
