circle square ACADEMY

The beauty industry thrives when future stylists are supported and empowered. Circle Square Academy, our in-house apprenticeship program, is designed to develop confident, skilled, and thoughtful hairstylists ready for success behind the chair.

Through hands-on training, mentorship, and real salon experience, we help apprentices build strong foundations and a career they can be proud of.

A hairstylist with curly red hair is cutting a woman's hair at a salon. The woman has brown hair secured with a clip and is smiling.

Looking to book a free or low-cost service with one of our apprentices?

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We began in 2011 with a simple dream: that education should be free, generous, and rooted in community. Everyone gets better when knowledge is shared – regardless of age, background, or prior experience. Our program offers solid, thoughtful training built on the belief that learning is something we do together.

PROGRAM DETAILS

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 2-year apprentice program

  • All classes & essential tools are provided at no cost

  • Full-time paid work in our salon

  • 1:1 mentorship

  • Path to Cosmetology Licensure (exam prep & testing)

A hairstylist cuts a woman's black hair in a salon, using scissors and a comb.
“None of us arrive here alone. Someone once lit the path for each us — and we honor that gift by teaching what we know, practicing together, and passing the light forward.”
— Jess Avalon - Owner / Educator

what our apprentices learn

Our curriculum includes foundational and advanced training in:
  • Hair cutting & shaping
  • Color theory & formulation
  • Modern dimensional & hand-painting color placement
  • Smoothing treatments
  • Natural texture + curl care
  • Client consultation & communication
  • Ongoing professional development & salon culture
Sample color swatches of hair extensions on display boards and illustrated diagrams showing different hairstyles and scalp areas on a whiteboard in a salon or beauty store.

our commitment to you

We are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of hairstylists. At Circle Square Academy, we provide:

  • A supportive, inclusive learning environment

  • Ongoing mentorship from experienced stylists and educators

  • Customized pacing and feedback for each apprentice

  • Practical, real-world education rooted in salon success

  • Guidance in building confidence, creativity, and client relationships

A Culture of Growth + Community

At Circle Square, learning is collaborative. Our apprentices are valued members of our team, not just students. We celebrate curiosity, encourage questions, and focus on progress over perfection. The salon experience is better when everyone grows together!

Meet the educators

A woman with tattoos on her arms and chest, with curly hair that is dark at the top and orange at the tips, smiling in a close-up portrait.

Olivia Clarke

A man with glasses and short brown hair, wearing a blue T-shirt, sitting indoors with a brick wall and bookshelves in the background.

Thomas norman

A woman with short hair standing indoors, smiling with arms crossed, wearing a black top and a necklace with a skull and crossbones pendant.

Jess avalon

A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a black and white patterned shirt standing in front of a black wooden fence and green foliage.

Sam Robinson

A woman smiling while standing in front of shelves with bottles of skincare products.

ebony diamond

A young woman with long wavy brown hair and tattoos on her arms poses outside a storefront with a sign reading 'circle square.' She is smiling and wearing a blue shirt and black pants, standing next to a bush.

rachel GIERLACH

A man with glasses, a beard, and a bald head is sitting on a brown chair in a room. He is wearing a denim shirt and has a friendly expression. There is a framed picture on the wall behind him and a potted plant in the background.

charley soderbergh

A black circle and a black square on a white background.

We are here to educate and guide you as you start your journey as an apprentice and future stylist.

Meet our apprentices

  • Noah Whibley

  • A person with wavy, shoulder-length burgundy hair, wearing glasses and a black-and-white striped t-shirt, smiling indoors with a large green plant in the background.

    Jam Weir

  • A young woman with tattoos, wearing a white off-shoulder top and denim jeans, stands outdoors with her hand on her hip and smiling.

    Rylee Holihan

  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing glasses and a sleeveless black top, standing outdoors near a twisty green plant, with a reflective glass window behind her.

    Ava Peer

 FAQs

  • This program is free for apprentices. It requires you to attend classes and to work in the salon, where you will get paid an hourly wage.

  • That’s okay! We will meet you where you are. Experience is welcome but not necessary to join our program.

  • The program takes about 2 years to complete.

  • You will get tested out on certain topics and modules, and yes, you can fail those tests. But that doesn’t mean you fail the apprenticeship. Learning sometimes means trying again.

  • Circle Square Academy accepts applicants throughout the year, but generally new classes begin in the late Summer, early Fall.

  • Keep scrolling and you’ll find our submission form to get started!

Group of nine diverse women standing outdoors in front of a restaurant building with a rainbow pride flag flying above. They are smiling and posing for the photo on a sunny day.

Let’s work together

If you’re passionate about hair, eager to learn, and excited to build a meaningful career in a supportive salon community, we’d love to meet you.

Fill out the form below and we will be in touch!