Richardson ISD Opens Student Salon and Pet Grooming Spaces
Two career-training facilities at Lake Highlands High School now serve community members with salon and pet grooming services.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Richardson Independent School District held ribbon-cuttings on November 11 for Wildcat Salon and Wildcat Wash & Care at Lake Highlands High School. Both spaces are part of the district's Career and Technical Education program and are designed to resemble high-end retail locations.
Why it matters
The facilities give Richardson students hands-on experience with professional equipment and real clients in fields such as cosmetology and animal science. Offering these services to the community also connects classroom training with local business demand.
Wildcat Salon offers haircuts, styling, hair coloring, nail services and waxing, while Wildcat Wash & Care offers dog grooming, bathing, nail trimming and daycare. Community members book salon appointments through the Wildcat Salon booking portal.
The players
Richardson Independent School District
The Richardson Independent School District is a public school district serving the Richardson, Texas area, which operates the Career and Technical Education programs that include these new facilities.
TONI&GUY
TONI&GUY is an international hair salon and training brand that supports the salons operated within Richardson's high school programs.
The details
Students in the Animal Science pathway run Wildcat Wash & Care, and students learn salon skills at Wildcat Salon, which is TONI&GUY branded and one of two such salons in the district. Both facilities serve community members while giving students practical experience with real clients.
Timeline
November 11, 2026: Ribbon-cuttings held for Wildcat Salon and Wildcat Wash & Care.
Later in November 2026: A second TONI&GUY-supported salon is scheduled to open at Berkner High School.
Season Trajectory
Career and Technical Education programs in Texas public high schools have grown as districts pair classroom instruction with hands-on, industry-style training. The Richardson openings extend that model into personal services and animal care, two fields where students can enter the workforce directly.
Community members can book Wildcat Salon appointments through the district's online booking portal and use Wildcat Wash & Care for dog grooming, bathing, nail trimming and daycare. Families interested in these services should check the booking portal for current availability and hours.
The takeaway
Hands-on career programs like these let students build professional skills while serving real customers in their own community. Families interested in local career training can check their school district's CTE offerings for similar opportunities.
What happens next
The second TONI&GUY-supported salon is scheduled to open at Berkner High School later in November 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Secondary Education coverage for context on how local schools are expanding career training.
More information
Read the full report on the Lake Highlands High School student-run salon and pet grooming facility.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lake Highlands.
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