“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” -George Bernard Shaw
Cupola Academy (CA) is a secular, nonprofit educational organization that provides a supportive community-base for homeschooling families. CA offers full-day programs for young people ages 4-18 to attend 2-3 days a week in a collaborative and resource-rich environment. We nurture the innate intellectual curiosity of young people in a pro-social atmosphere.
At Cupola Academy, we embrace our responsibility of making the world a better place by providing a nourishing environment for changemakers, with a focus on environmental stewardship. At the heart of all of our programs is our belief in natural curiosity, the value of collaboration, the importance of engaging in Real Work (vs. make work) and an emphasis on Process Consciousness.
Cupola Academy is designed for families who are seeking an intellectually rich atmosphere that promotes a growth mindset, encourages lifelong learning, and emphasizes social and environmental justice. These values are fostered in all of our programs.
At Cupola Academy, we view it is our responsibility to cultivate a learning environment that helps youth learn about the complexities of growing up in the 21st century, navigating our changing world with an open and inclusive mindset. We believe youth should be exposed to perspectives and beliefs that stretch them, guided by trusted facilitators who can support their growth and exploration while also respecting individual families’ value sets. We believe that youth have the capability to thoughtfully read texts and engage in respectful dialogue around sensitive topics facing our society today, including racism, gun violence, gender identity, and other complex and nuanced political and social issues. Although not mandated, Cupola Academy strongly encourages vaccinating against Covid-19.
Self-Direction
At Cupola Academy, we believe that education is “the product of the activity of the learner” (Holt). The most effective learning environments are ones that give ownership and increasing autonomy to the young person. CA is rooted in a belief in natural learning, and values intrinsic motivation over external rewards. We work with youth to help them become the co-pilots of their educational and life paths.
At CA, we differ from a traditional schooling model that assumes that adult teachers are the keepers of knowledge, and that youth are empty vessels waiting to be filled. Rather, at CA, our approach brings the youth to the forefront of their educational journey, helping them to be actively engaged in determining what, when, how, and where they learn.
Partnership
Cupola Academy is a “one-stop shop” for families embarking on a Partnership Education journey. At CA, we bring Partnership Education to life and work with families to create a holistic and individualized educational path. We see the significant benefit of learning in a collaborative group setting, where youth can serve as both a peer and a mentor.
Youth attend CA programs 2-3 days a week and are exposed to new ideas and experiences that will challenge their minds and expand their worldview.
Not a School
CA’s philosophy is inspired by the work of John Holt (1923-1985). Holt is seen as the grandfather of the unschooling movement, and the CA founding family was incredibly fortunate to have Holt as both a colleague and friend before his passing. Unschooling starts with the belief that all people are naturally curious, but that traditional schooling can significantly zap that curiosity with forced curriculum, exclusively teacher-led agendas, and a focus on grades and testing.
CA’s approach to education provides a framework for natural curiosity to flourish, while also being free from grades and testing. Instead, we offer feedback in a descriptive manner, which helps youth know their strengths and areas for growth.
