About Celeste Beauty Academy
Beauty is our passion. Education is our foundation.
Celeste Beauty Academy exists to prepare the next generation of beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, and college-ready graduates. By combining rigorous academics with industry-leading cosmetology education, students graduate prepared for licensure, higher education, and lifelong career success.
School Overview
Who we are
Celeste Beauty Academy is North Carolina's first tuition-free public charter high school designed to combine college-preparatory academics with professional cosmetology education.
Students receive a rigorous academic education while developing the technical, business, and leadership skills needed for success in today's beauty industry.
Whether graduates choose college, cosmetology licensure, entrepreneurship, or all three, CBA prepares them to thrive in a rapidly growing profession.
As a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the North Carolina State Board of Education, CBA is open to all eligible North Carolina students and held to the same academic and financial accountability standards as every public school in the state.
At CBA, students don't choose between college and career—they graduate prepared for both.
Our Difference
College-Preparatory Academics
Professional Cosmetology Training
Entrepreneurship & Business Education
Small School, Personalized Learning
Tuition-Free Public Charter School
Our Mission
Preparing Students for College, Licensure, and Life.
Celeste Beauty Academy provides a rigorous, personalized public education that combines industry-leading cosmetology training with a college-preparatory curriculum, preparing graduates to earn a North Carolina cosmetology license, succeed in college, launch a business, or pursue all three.
Our Vision
Cosmetology + College, Career & Life Readiness = Limitless Possibilities.
We envision a future where every CBA graduate has meaningful choices—whether earning a cosmetology license, enrolling in a two- or four-year college, starting a business, or entering the workforce with confidence and purpose.
Core Values
The Values That Guide Every Decision
Excellence
We set high expectations and provide the support every student needs to achieve excellence.
Integrity
We lead with transparency, accountability, honesty, and respect in every decision we make.
Community
Build with and for our community—never around it.
Opportunity
Every student deserves access to an exceptional education, regardless of income or background.
Innovation
We embrace innovation to prepare students for the future of education, entrepreneurship, and the beauty industry.
Readiness
Every student leaves prepared for what's next—college, licensure, entrepreneurship, or all three.
Why CBA
What makes this school different
Celeste Beauty Academy isn't a traditional high school with a cosmetology elective, and it isn't a trade school without strong academics. We've intentionally designed a school where rigorous college preparation and professional cosmetology education work together—so students never have to choose between college and career.
- 01 Dual-Focused Curriculum. Every student completes both a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and 1,500 hours of professional cosmetology training—without sacrificing either academic excellence or career preparation.
- 02 1,500 Hours of Professional Training. Students complete 1,500 hours of industry-approved instruction, preparing them to pursue North Carolina cosmetology licensure upon graduation.
- 03 Open, Public Governance. As a North Carolina public charter school, our board meetings, policies, and financial records are open to the public, reflecting our commitment to accountability and transparency. See our Board Meetings page.
- 04 No Cost, No Gate. Admission is through a weighted lottery—not tuition, entrance exams, or interviews—ensuring every eligible student has an equal opportunity to attend.
- 05 Entrepreneurship Built In. Students don't just learn cosmetology—they develop business, leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship skills to prepare them to build successful careers and businesses.
Graduate Profile
Who a CBA graduate is
Every course, experience, and support system at Celeste Beauty Academy is intentionally designed to develop these qualities before graduation.
Academically Prepared
Prepared for college-level learning through a rigorous academic foundation that meets North Carolina university admission requirements.
Career & College Ready
Graduates leave with meaningful progress toward North Carolina cosmetology licensure, hands-on salon experience, and the professional skills employers value.
Civically Engaged
Engages thoughtfully in their community, understanding that leadership begins with service.
Self-Directed
Takes ownership of goals, decisions, and personal growth with confidence and resilience.
Ethical Leader
Leads with integrity, professionalism, compassion, and accountability—in the classroom, the workplace, and the community.
Entrepreneurial Thinker
Identifies opportunities, solves problems creatively, and has the confidence to build a business, lead a team, or create positive change.
College Ready. Career Ready. Life Ready.
Ready to Learn More?
See how the model works in practice
Explore the academic model and career pathways behind CBA's mission.