Morning

Thursday mornings shift to real-world mathematics, where concepts are made meaningful through practical application. At Cupola, mathematical learning emphasizes understanding the “why” behind each concept by connecting abstract ideas to financial literacy, everyday decision-making, and logical reasoning.

Youth explore topics such as credit card payment schedules and interest rates, gaining insight into how compound interest grows over time. They fill out authentic income tax forms and analyze progressive tax systems, comparing how different income brackets contribute to public resources. Through hands-on simulations—like the “Halloween Candy Marketplace”—they study free market principles, supply and demand, and price fluctuations. They also research and compare car and health insurance options, learning how data, risk, and budgeting intersect in real-life decision-making.

Alongside these contextual lessons, CYP youth participate in structured math activities that emphasize communicating mathematical thinking. They explain their processes, justify solutions, identify new questions, and reflect on what they learned. This reflective approach deepens comprehension and nurtures precision, independence, and financial literacy—hallmarks of Cupola’s commitment to developing confident, capable mathematical thinkers.