Not a school. Not a co-op.
Something greater.
Whether you’re homeschooling and looking for community, leaving a high-pressure private school, or stepping away from a rigid public system, you’re not alone.
Located on 10 picturesque acres in Malvern, PA, Cupola Academy is a secular, nonprofit learning community for ages 4–18. Our offerings are rooted in real learning, not just achievement. We facilitate part-time, in-person programs that support families who want something more holistic than school — and something more community-based than going it alone.
Is Cupola right
for your family?
You don’t have to choose between freedom and support.
More and more families are looking for something different — something that centers real learning, not just achievement. Cupola Academy’s model of Partnership Education has helped youth thrive for over 50 years!
You might be in
the right place if…
✓ Your young person is curious, collaborative, and ready to engage in intellectually stimulating experiences.
✓ You’re seeking community, structure, and flexibility — without full-time schooling.
✓ You’re ready to partner with experienced educators to design an intentional path.
✓ You believe education should serve the whole young person, not check off boxes.
Hear from families like yours.
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“We have had an amazing experience at Cupola Academy. Because of this vibrant and supportive resource, we have been able to enjoy the best of both worlds for our child’s education: membership in a supportive and nurturing learning community and the flexibility to pursue separate interests and open-ended exploration in homeschooling.
If you like the idea of homeschooling but don’t want your child to miss out on the facilitation, social and community resources found in a traditional school setting, this is the place for you. This is our fourth year at CA and we have seen our child blossom and develop as a learner in such a beautiful way thanks to the inquisitive and thoughtful environment and inclusive community we have found here.”
— Abby, CA Parent
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“Cupola Academy helps our family enjoy the best of both worlds. Our 5th and 8th graders get to enjoy the flexibility of homeschooling while also attending CA two and half days a week. They absolutely love their CA days.
They are eager to see their friends and engage in hands-on projects that we couldn’t do at home like science labs, woodworking, robotics, public speaking and more. As parents, we are especially appreciative of the culture at CA and the fact that the facilitators genuinely care about and want the best for our children.”
— Lucy, CA Parent
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“Our 10th grader is in her 4th year at Cupola Academy and I couldn’t imagine her being educated a different way at this point. She has found a community of friends and teachers that she truly connects with and has been inspired in her studies.
Each year, the facilitators and directors really support us in establishing her full curriculum for the year based on her needs and curiosities. Beyond studies, she is challenged to speak publicly, engage with adults and take low risk opportunities to step out of her comfort level which will go a long way as she grows into an adult. I could not recommend this school and community any more.”
— Rebecca, CA Parent
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“Our daughters have attended Cupola for multiple years and have grown so much with the support they receive there. Having a secular homeschooling program that respects the needs and differences of the young people who attend has been so important for our family. We’re grateful to have Cupola as a huge part of our daughters education!”
— Dana, CA Parent
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“This is our second year homeschooling, and I’m so grateful to have found Cupola Academy, where my 8th and 9th grade children attended 3 times per week. They have formed wonderful peer connections, and Julia and Mike have guided us every step of the way.
Cupola offers a supportive, collaborative space that nurtures curiosity and growth. The focus on fostering a sense of responsibility and real-world engagement has been a great fit for our family. The community is so welcoming—it’s been the perfect place to start this new chapter in our education journey.”
— Kerry, CA Parent
We’ve spent 50+ years helping families rethink education.
What began as a one-room schoolhouse became a generational movement. The founding family of Cupola Academy have spent over five decades building a new model — one that replaces pressure with purpose, rigidity with rhythm, and compliance with connection.
At Cupola, partnership is everything. Youth work in close collaboration with skilled facilitators, while parents walk alongside our team, anchoring their young person’s learning with room to breathe. Together, we create an environment where young people can grow — supported, seen, and free to chart their own path without feeling adrift.
These are our guiding beliefs.
At Cupola Academy, learning isn’t just what we do—it’s how we live. These core beliefs shape every program, conversation, and connection in our community.
We’re not preparing young people for tests. We’re helping them build purposeful lives.
Partnership Education
Learning is co-created
with youth and families.
Intrinsic Motivation
Engagement grows from natural
curiosity and real-world purpose.
Critical & Creative Thinking
We nurture questioning,
exploration, and innovation.
Community & Kindness
Our culture is built on
respect, integrity, and care.
Equity & Belonging
A safe, inclusive community
where every youth feels valued.
Process Consciousness
Paying attention not only to what
we do, but how we do it.
Descriptive Feedback
Reflection and dialogue
replace traditional grades.
Contextual Academics
Subjects are applied,
interdisciplinary, and relevant.
"The true test of intelligence is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do."
-John Holt
Programs that grow with your young person.
Flexible scheduling (2–3 days/week) supports deep learning, healthy rhythms, and a sense of ownership — at every stage.
Ages 4–8Creative Choice
Wonder, play, and exploration.
Ages 7–15Collaborative Pods
Connection and applied academics.
Ages 15–18Constructing Your Path
Purposeful prep for life after graduation.
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.
Not a school. Not a co-op. Something greater.
You don’t have to choose between structure and freedom.
Cupola Academy’s founding family has spent decades pioneering Partnership Education. Our approach combines academic rigor, learner agency, and authentic community — rooted in trust and built for growth.
Our Campus & Environmental Stewardship
Set on ten peaceful acres, Cupola Academy’s campus offers daily opportunities for young people to connect—with themselves, with one another, and with the natural world. From open fields to shaded woodland areas, the landscape invites curiosity and care.
Respect for oneself, others, and the environment has been part of Cupola’s foundation since the beginning. Our no-phones policy isn’t a trend; it’s a reflection of our belief in real presence and genuine engagement.
Throughout the year, youth, families, and community members are invited to help care for the property—learning that stewardship isn’t just an ideal, but a shared responsibility. Our campus is both a “classroom” and a community: a place where education and respect take root and grow.
Health, Safety & Mutual Respect
Cupola Academy is committed to being a scientifically minded organization that makes evidence-based decisions regarding health and safety. Vaccines are strongly encouraged.
Our culture is grounded in mutual respect—where a range of perspectives can meet without division. We do not align with political extremes; instead, we model civil discourse, curiosity, and compassion.
Here, young people learn that respect and reason go hand in hand, and that science and community responsibility guide our choices. Cupola offers a balanced, inclusive environment—one where families can trust that both evidence and empathy inform everything we do.
What if school looked more like life?
At Cupola Academy, we believe that learning should be joyful and purposeful. Here, you might find young people launching rockets to put their physics calculations to the test, drafting business plans for youth-led pop-ups, hosting debates on energy policy, writing research papers on world governments, or exploring Shakespeare through performance.
What you won’t see? Rows of desks. Grading rubrics. Standardized anything.
From wide-eyed wonder to world-ready confidence.
We believe childhood wonder and real-world readiness belong together. Young people grow with both—the imagination to explore and the resilience to step forward.
Honoring the Past.
Creating the Future.
Cupola Academy continues to evolve — not to follow trends, but to meet the real needs of learners and families today.
At Cupola Academy, we are building a vibrant learning ecosystem that grows through meaningful partnerships with community organizations. We are expanding access by offering summer programs, increasing financial aid, and delivering workshop series for the broader community.
Central to this vision is the transformation of Diamond Rock Farm into a fully-realized, dynamic, learner-centered educational space — a hub where community, creativity, and curiosity converge to cultivate a thriving culture of learning.
We are building something lasting — not just for now, but for the next generation.
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.
Curious but not
quite ready?
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