Programs at
Cupola Academy
Multiple paths, one shared goal: helping young people grow with curiosity and confidence.
More Than Programs,
A Partnership in Learning.
At Cupola Academy, the world is our classroom. Our programs extend beyond the campus — supporting youth, families, and community through every step of the journey.
Onsite Learning Days
Hands-on learning in community.
Youth ages 4–18 attend in-person programs two or three days a week on our 10-acre Malvern campus. Days are filled with collaboration, exploration, and creativity — blending independent inquiry, small-group learning, and large-group projects — all guided by experienced facilitators who nurture each learner’s curiosity and confidence.
Family Guidance & Growth
Support for families and youth at every stage.
Cupola Academy was founded by a family with over 50 years of experience pioneering Partnership Education. We guide parents through every stage — from transitioning out of traditional schooling to shaping learning experiences that reflect their family’s values, rhythms, and goals — so everyone can thrive together.
CA Community Connection
A network of support and shared wisdom.
Families join a thriving community of educators, facilitators, and like-minded parents who believe in personalized, partnership-based education. Through gatherings, workshops, and mentorship, new families find encouragement and inspiration from those who’ve walked this path before.
External Community Partners
Extending learning into the real world.
With a vast network of alumni, businesses, and organizations, we help youth and families network to connect with a broad range of opportunities to explore passions, expand their learning, and deepen their understanding of the world around them. These partnerships strengthen local connections, support lifelong learning, and ensure that education and community growth happen together — benefiting everyone involved.
Learning Through Collaboration
All programs at Cupola Academy bring youth together in small, mixed-age groups where learning happens through connection, curiosity, and creativity. Each program integrates applied academics with social-emotional growth, encouraging learners to think deeply, communicate clearly, and work together to explore the world around them and within them.
Design & Approach
Every CA program is intentionally designed as a developmental bridge to the next.
Facilitators collaborate to create experiences that are both challenging and relevant, blending content areas like science, humanities, and the arts. In partnership with Facilitators, youth have a voice in co-creating some of the content that they’ll explore throughout the year.
Projects &
Practice
Each program has 1-2 hallmark projects that occur annually.
Group and individual projects in the humanities and sciences help learners develop their voices, conduct in-depth inquiry, and share their ideas with clarity and confidence. Learning extends beyond the program spaces—into nature, community, and home.
Our Process Conscious Approach
Each program follows a peaceful rhythm that balances Facilitator-initiated learning with youth-directed exploration. Tremendous thought goes into offering developmentally appropriate experiences—and equal care into how those experiences are presented.
Our Process Conscious approach guides all interactions. We emphasize engaging in Real Work (rather than “make work” or “busy work”), cultivating win-win outcomes, helping youth self-advocate and find their voice, modeling collaboration over competition, and fostering deep respect—for oneself, for others, and for the natural world.
Find Your Youth’s Path
Explore how your young person can grow with us—from their first days of discovery to co-piloting their own learning path.
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Ages 4-8
Creative Choice
Following their natural curiosity.
Creative Choice is where many Cupola journeys start—a warm, nurturing space designed for young people to imagine, tinker, and explore. Anchored in the belief that youth are born curious, this program gives them the freedom to investigate the world around them, build problem-solving skills, and develop confidence through hands-on discovery. -
Ages 7-8
Collaborative Pod 1
Building skills through connection.
Collaborative Pod 1 exposes youth to a range of content areas, from traditional academics like math, science, and writing, to critical life-skills like cooking, wood working, and gardening. Regardless of what topic is at hand, the emphasis is placed on process over product, on conceptually understanding vs. memorizing, and on collaboration over competition. Young people learn how to collaborate, share their ideas, and solve problems together—all while building a strong foundation in applied academics and life skills. -
Ages 9-10
Collaborative Pod 2
Curiosity in action.
Collaborative Pod 2 is designed for young people who are ready to ask big questions and tackle complex projects. CP2 blends applied academics with hands-on exploration, encouraging youth to investigate, experiment, and share their discoveries. The focus is on building a strong foundation as confident learners, while developing research and communication skills that will continue to serve them well throughout their educational, and life, journey.
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Ages 11-13
Collaborative Pod 3
Collaboration with purpose.
Collaborative Pod 3 is where young people begin to tackle more sophisticated academic work and long-term projects. With an emphasis on research, critical thinking, and public speaking, CP3 helps learners deepen their understanding of complex concepts while building confidence in sharing their ideas. The program balances guided instruction with increasing independence, preparing youth for the greater challenges of CP4 and beyond. -
Ages 13-15
Collaborative Pod 4
Building independence.
This group is designed to help young people take ownership over their learning path—the storage of work, communication with facilitators, responsibility for assignments from fellow group members and facilitators. The program is intentionally designed to help young people learn how to set goals, reflect on their progress, adjust methodology and ultimately achieve their goal. -
Ages 15-18
Constructing Your Path
Deep Thinking. Real Work. Youth-Led Discovery.
Constructing Your Life (CYP) empowers young people ages 15–18 to take ownership of their learning through inquiry, collaboration, and authentic experience. Each week balances academic depth and real-world relevance—from rotating science seminars in Physics to literature studies that bring texts like Macbeth to life through professional performance. Young people engage in civic simulations such as Model Senate and the Global Economic Forum, while the multi-year Symposium process develops research, writing, and public speaking skills. Rooted in co-creation, CYP prepares youth to lead with intellect, empathy, and purpose — both at Cupola and beyond.
Enrichment Paths:
Add-On Opportunities
For learners who want to go further—whether that means diving deeper into academic topics, developing new skills, or exploring creative passions—Cupola Academy offers optional Enrichment Paths.
These full- or half-day programs complement the core Tuesday–Thursday experience, giving youth more time for collaboration, challenge, and discovery.
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Creative Choice+
Creative Choice+
Full-Day Wednesdays | For Youth in CC-CP1 | $4,150 annually
This optional add-on day invites younger learners to spend more time creating, building, and exploring—through art, outdoor adventures, and hands-on projects. It’s a chance to follow their curiosity, work with friends, and grow confidence through play and imagination. -
Deep Dives: Level 1
Deep Dives: Level 1
Full-Day Wednesdays | For Youth in CP2-CP4 | $4,250 annually
Deep Dives Level 1 is a full-year program, broken into eight 8-week deep dives across a range of content areas. It pairs perfectly with our 2-day Collaborative Pod programs, offering an opportunity for youth to explore eight distinct topics throughout the year. Each deep dive blends academic exploration with real-world skills and creative expression.
Possible academic areas include: Lab Sciences, History & Civic Engagement, Spanish, Lego Robotics, Math & Logic, Writing, Materials Science, Tech/Makerspace, and Art & Math.
Possible life-skill areas include: Woodworking, Cooking & Cultures, Theater, Fashion Design, Music Exploration, Gardening & Environmentalism, and more.Families help shape the final lineup each year through early-bird registration polls—ensuring every cohort’s learning reflects the community’s shared interests.
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Deep Dives: Level 2
Deep Dives: Level 2
Half-Day Fridays | For Youth in CP4-CYP | $2,200 annually
Designed for older youth in Collaborative Pod 4 and CYP, Deep Dives Level 2 is a half-day, full-year program featuring four 8-week deep dives. These workshops balance academic depth with real-world application—ideal for college-bound teens eager to explore interests in research, design, career pathways, or social impact.Past and potential focus areas include: Applied Sciences, Global Studies, Writing for College, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Design, and Community Action Projects.
Ready to reimagine
learning with us?
Every project and experience at Cupola Academy is a thread that helps weave together a complete and meaningful education.
We are dedicated to building skills for the real world. Through project-based learning, youth don’t just study subjects—they live them, connecting ideas and experiences into a vibrant, intellectually stimulating whole. Apply today and join a forward-thinking learning community rooted in joy, respect, trust, and curiosity.
When you wonder, learning follows naturally.
Book a Free 15 Min. Discovery Call
Every great partnership starts with a conversation. This short call is your chance to share what you’re looking for and get a feel for how we can help. Bring your questions, ideas, or just your curiosity — we’ll take it from there.
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