The mission of Sunstate Academy is to instill in every student, through quality education and motivation, to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed. Students set goals and objectives within their reach and with the technical knowledge and skills they receive, our students can become successful in Health, Wellness and Beauty professions.

Sunstate Academy began with the 1975 purchase of a barber school in Largo, Florida, and then expanded to Sarasota, Florida, in 1982. In 1983 Sunstate opened another barber styling school in Fort Myers, Florida; this school was relocated in 1991 to Port Charlotte.

In 1988 a cosmetology school was established in Fort Myers. In 1992 Sunstate purchased a barber and cosmetology school in Clearwater, Florida. July 25, 2003, Sunstate Academy was purchased by Compass Rose Foundation, Inc., a forty-year old, Florida Non-Profit, Tax-exempt Corporation.