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]

DreamBox Learning

Company type	Privately Held
Industry	Software
Founded	2006; 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]
Products	Mathematics and Reading Adaptive Learning Technology
Owner	Discovery Education (2023–present)
Website	Dreambox Learning

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]