Frequently Asked Questions about Tuner School:

How was Tuner School Founded?
Over the last 10 years, John Hennessey has received thousands of emails from performance enthusiasts from around the world asking the question: Where can I go to learn how to modify cars? And the answer was clear that there just wasn’t a place where people could go and learn the fundamental’s of auto performance tuning. Simply put, the people in the industry who knew how to modify cars either taught themselves or learned by working around others who had the know how. The problem with being self taught is that it’s a long and expensive process of trial and error. And for those who learned from others, it took a long time to gain the knowledge and skills.

John also saw the need to find qualified technicians for Hennessey Performance as it continued to grow. Finding help with the right skill level and work ethic was hard at times. The only other option was taking in young apprentices and training them. The problem with this idea is that in order to train someone that means that one of the techs in the shop would be doing training rather than working on production or R&D projects.

One day John just thought he would start a school dedicated to training enthusiasts with the fundamental skills needed to work in his shop. Thus began Tuner School.

How much does Tuner School Cost?
The total cost for Tuner School is $14,675. This includes a $100 application fee and a $75 lab fee.

Is financial aid available for Tuner School?
No. Not at this time. Tuner School is a private school and is currently not set-up to accept any types of government loans, grants, GI bill, etc.

What are my housing options while I attend Tuner School?
Tuner School is located about 35 minutes west of Katy, Texas – a suburb of Houston. There are lots of housing options in the Katy area including apartments as well as extended-stay motels, etc. Please contact us for recommendations.

Can I visit Tuner School to see the campus and school environment?
Yes. You may call and make an appointment to come see our facility by calling 979.885.1300.

Do I get any kind of certification when I graduate from Tuner School?
Yes, all students who successfully complete Tuner School will receive a diploma and transcript showing courses completed to show an employer what you are trained to do.

Will there be any opportunities for me to work while I go to school?
We encourage all of our students to work in an automotive related field while they attend Tuner School. Students will be given a list of auto related firms in the Sealy, Katy and West Houston areas that they may contact and apply for work. These firms also include Hennessey Performance and Lonestar Motorsports Park.

Will Tuner School offer any advanced classes?
Yes, we are developing advanced classes in Tuner Fabrication, Computer Tuning and Tuner Entrepreneurship (owning and operating your own tuning shop).

Who will hire me when I graduate? Where would I work?
The automotive aftermarket is a multi-billion dollar industry. There are thousands of auto related companies around the world who install, develop, distribute, engineer, market and tune a wide variety of products and services to enthusiasts of all walks of life. Visit SEMA.org to find out who some of these companies are!

Will Tuner School help me get a job after graduation?
Tuner School will equip you with the fundamental tuning skills that will help you start your career in the automotive aftermarket. We will also help you prepare a resume and guide you on how to present yourself as a confident and professional tuner. Also, from time to time, we may have job fairs where potential employers will come to the Tuner School campus to interview potential job candidates. Tuner School cannot guarantee employment. Ultimately, you the student and future tuner are in control of your future job opportunities. And Tuner School will seek to help you maximize your skill level and how the industry operates so that you can find the job that best meets your goals.

What do Tuner Technicians get paid in the industry?
It depends on what you are able to do for your employer. Tuner School makes no claim about potential earnings since earnings can vary depending on the size, location and other factors of each employer. The more value you can add to a company the more you will likely make. Some entry level positions may pay in the $20-30k per year range. Seasoned techs can make in the $40-60k per year range. Top earners can make $80k per year or more depending on their area of specialization and markets where they serve. The more you know how to do and the more efficient you are in making your employer successful and profitable, the more money you will make. It’s that simple. You can visit the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information at www.bls.org.

What are the requirements to attend Tuner School?
At a minimum, we require a high school diploma or GED. However, Tuner School does not accept everyone who applies. We are seeking people with a passion for high performance vehicles who have good character and who want to be successful in the automotive aftermarket industry.

How do I apply?
Request an application from Tuner School, fill it out and send it in with your $100 application fee. After we review your application we will contact you within one week.

I was accepted into Tuner School… what’s next?
You will pick the starting date for the class you would like to attend. To secure your reservation for your class we will require a $2,500 tuition payment at the time you sign your enrollment agreement. After receiving your initial payment, Tuner School will send you a packet with key dates, housing options, class outline and other important information. Tuner School requires that your tuition be paid in full 90 days prior to beginning your class.

What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept checks (business or personal), most major credit cards as well as bank wire transfers.

Can I get a job at Hennessey Performance after I graduate?
HPE will be extending a job offer to to at least one of the graduates of each class.

Do I need to have any special knowledge or skills to attend Tuner School?
No. All you need is a desire to learn and a passion for performance, cars, racing, etc. Who are the teachers? Are they accredited or professional instructors? The instructors at Tuner School are actual performance tuning technicians who modify cars for their living. They ARE NOT professional teachers. We want our students to learn from those who have been successfully modifying cars for a long time. Book knowledge is great, but we are all about performance in the real world. Your ability to get a good job and succeed in this industry is directly tied to what you are able to do, perform for your employer. Regurgitating book answers won’t cut it in the real world. You have to be able to take a work assignment and have the skills and confidence to perform the work from start to finish with great attention to detail. This is the HIGH PERFORMANCE automotive industry. And to be a successful part of it, you need to be able to efficiently perform for your employer and ultimately your employer’s clients who are seeking improved performance for their vehicle.

Does everyone who attends Tuner School graduate?
We hope so, but just because you paid your tuition does not guarantee you will graduate. All students must maintain an 80% attendance record and be able to successfully perform all of the basic skills taught in order to graduate. Again, book answers won’t cut it. You will have to be able to perform. And to learn these skills you have to attend class and participate.

What makes Tuner School different from other auto tech programs?
The list is long. But here are a few differences:

Tuner School operates at a race track which is part of the learning environment.

Tuner School’s class size is smaller and more intimate.

Tuner School was founded by one of the leading automotive aftermarket firms in the world, Hennessey Performance.

Other tech schools are large operations that are more like college campuses with multiple programs and thousands of students going in and out all year round. Tuner School focuses its program in one area – high performance.

Tuner School sets its own teaching agenda on what we feel is the most relevant information and skills training that students need to succeed.

Tuner School is all about high-performance auto technology, skills and systems.

Tuner School graduates will be part of an elite group of alumni who go out into the industry.

Tuner School will operate and conduct itself in a Christian environment where students will be encouraged that integrity, character and professional conduct are just as important to their ultimate success as their tuning skills are.