DreamBox Learning

Last updated

DreamBox Learning
Company typePrivately Held
IndustrySoftware
Founded2006;19 years ago (2006)
Founders
  • Lou Gray
  • Ben Slivka
Headquarters Bellevue, Washington,
United States
Key people
 Jessie Woolley-Wilson, president and chief executive officer [1]
ProductsMathematics and Reading Adaptive Learning Technology
Owner
  • Discovery Education
  • (2023–present)
Website Dreambox Learning

DreamBox Learning is an American online software provider that focuses on mathematics education for elementary and middle school, and reading education for elementary through high school level. [2] [3] [4] [5] The mathematics software provides pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade students with mathematics lessons and activities, while the reading software provides students in elementary to high school levels with articles to improve their reading skills. [4] [6] [7]

Contents

Overview

DreamBox Learning Math

DreamBox Learning Math teaches mathematical subjects at the grade K-8 level through interactive and practice activities. It has a gamified interface through which students earn coins for completed lessons. These coins can be spent to customize in-app avatars, wallpapers and music. [8]

DreamBox Learning Reading

DreamBox Learning Reading teaches reading skills at the grade 3-12 level. The program utilizes an algorithm that assesses student reading level and recommends lessons based on the students' ability. [9] In 2023, DreamBox released Reading Park, a reading assessment and learning program for K-2 students. [10]

History

In 2006, DreamBox Learning was founded in Bellevue, Washington by the CEO and serial entrepreneur Lou Gray, and former Microsoft employee Ben Slivka. [11] [12] [13] In 2010, DreamBox Learning was acquired by the Charter School Growth Fund. [3] [13] The acquisition was sponsored by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings through a program-related investment. [3] [13] Jessie Woolley-Wilson became president and CEO of DreamBox Learning shortly after the acquisition. [3] [13]

The software was designed for students outside the classroom to augment their mathematics education and school districts seeking to enhance their mathematics curriculum. [4] [11] In 2012, the firm offered free trial licensing of lessons aligned with the Common Core State Standards Initiative to all schools within the United States. [6] [14] The company released a free iOS app, DreamBox Math Learning program, in 2013. [15]

In 2014, the firm launched its Adaptive Math Curriculum for students in grades six through eight, with topics including basic functions, geometry, single-variable algebra, and ratios. [16] As of that year, DreamBox Learning is partnered with the education startup Clever [17] Also in 2014, the International Society for Technology Education reported that DreamBox added the Spanish language support to its adaptive math software for students in grades K-8. [18] In 2016, the company updated its K-8 math curriculum with the ability to create custom assignments for individual students. [19]

As of 2021, the company had raised $150 million in funding. [20] In 2023, the company was acquired by Discovery Education, a Charlotte-based education technology company backed by Clearlake Capital. [21] [22]

References

  1. ↑ "DreamBox Learning CEO: How tech will shape the future of schools". GeekWire. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Weber, Matt. "Harvard EdCast: Adaptive Ed Tech". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Vander Ark, Tom (13 June 2012). "DreamBox Learning: Adaptive, Engaging, and Motivating Math". HuffPost. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Adams, Caralee. "Individualized Learning". Scholastic. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  5. ↑ DeSilver, Drew. "Local, national venture financing declines for fourth quarter 2011". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  6. 1 2 Rotherham, Andrew J. (26 January 2012). "Can Computers Replace Teachers?". Time. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  7. ↑ Thompson, Dan. "DreamBox Expands Web-Based Math Learning Tool to Grade 5". The Journal. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  8. ↑ Brittain, Pamela (March 2023). "DreamBox Learning Math Review for Teachers". Common Sense Education. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "Students reading to learn - Grades 3-12 - DreamBox Reading Plus". dreambox.com. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Lucariello, By Kate (22 February 2023). "DreamBox Learning Launches Reading Park for PreK–2 Students -". THE Journal. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  11. 1 2 Shepard, Kim (15 April 2012). "Counting sheep: Raise math scores at bedtime". MYNorthwest. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  12. ↑ Huang, Gregory T. "DreamBox Learning Bought by Netflix CEO (and Microsoft Board Member) Reed Hastings and Charter Fund—Some More Context". Xconomy. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "DreamBox re-positions itself for focus on K-12 market". GeekWire. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Free DreamBox Learning for Math". Penniless Teacher. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  15. ↑ Bolkan, Joshua (18 November 2013). "DreamBox Launches Free Math App for iPad". The Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "DreamBox Launches Adaptive Math Curriculum for Middle Schools". The Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Sailors, John (25 March 2014). "Clever nabs $10 million for education software". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Fifty from ISTE: 50 new ed-tech services". eSchool News. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "New DreamBox Learning Feature Provides Personalized Learning Experiences". Getting Smart. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  20. ↑ Soper, Taylor (29 August 2023). "Seattle-area edtech company DreamBox Learning acquired by Discovery Education". GeekWire. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  21. ↑ FinSMEs (29 August 2023). "Discovery Education to Acquire DreamBox Learning". FinSMEs. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "Clearlake Capital-Backed Discovery Education Completes Acquisition of DreamBox Learning". Discovery Education UK. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
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