{{Short description|American online software provider}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = DreamBox Learning | logo = File:Dreambox-logo-default-rgb.jpg | logo_size = 200px | type = Privately Held | founders = {{ubl|Lou Gray|Ben Slivka}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|2006}} | location = Bellevue, Washington | hq_location_country = United States | key_people = Jessie Woolley-Wilson, president and chief executive officer<ref name = geekwire>{{cite web | url = http://www.geekwire.com/2014/future-education-practice-without-insights/ | title = DreamBox Learning CEO: How tech will shape the future of schools | date = 21 October 2014 | publisher = GeekWire | access-date = October 26, 2014}}</ref> | industry = Software | products = Mathematics and Reading Adaptive Learning Technology | owner = {{ubl|Discovery Education|{{smaller|(2023–present)}}}} | homepage = [http://www.dreambox.com 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.<ref name="HG">{{cite web|last=Weber|first=Matt|title=Harvard EdCast: Adaptive Ed Tech|url=http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news-impact/2013/03/harvard-edcast-adaptive-ed-tech/#|publisher=Harvard Graduate School of Education|access-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name="HP">{{cite news|last=Vander Ark|first=Tom |title=DreamBox Learning: Adaptive, Engaging, and Motivating Math|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-vander-ark/dreambox-learning-adaptiv_b_1588581.html|work=HuffPost|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref name="S">{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Caralee|title=Individualized Learning|url=http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757049|work=Scholastic|access-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name="ST">{{cite news|last=DeSilver|first=Drew|title=Local, national venture financing declines for fourth quarter 2011 |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2017284201_venture20.html|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=S /><ref name="IT">{{cite magazine|last=Rotherham|first=Andrew J.|title=Can Computers Replace Teachers?|url=https://ideas.time.com/2012/01/26/can-computers-replace-teachers/|magazine=Time|access-date=July 3, 2013|date=January 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="TJ">{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Dan|title=DreamBox Expands Web-Based Math Learning Tool to Grade 5|url=http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/01/31/dreambox-expands-web-based-math-learning-tool-to-grade-5.aspx|work=The Journal|access-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brittain |first=Pamela |date=March 2023 |title=DreamBox Learning Math Review for Teachers |url=https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/dreambox-learning-math |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Common Sense Education |language=en}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Students reading to learn - Grades 3-12 - DreamBox Reading Plus |url=https://www.dreambox.com/readingplus |website=dreambox.com |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> In 2023, DreamBox released Reading Park, a reading assessment and learning program for K-2 students.<ref>{{Cite periodical |last=Lucariello |first=By Kate |date=2023-02-22 |title=DreamBox Learning Launches Reading Park for PreK–2 Students - |url=https://thejournal.com/articles/2023/02/22/dreambox-learning-launches-reading-park-for-prek2-students.aspx |access-date=2025-05-07 |periodical=THE Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== In 2006, DreamBox Learning was founded in Bellevue, Washington by the CEO and serial entrepreneur Lou Gray, and former Microsoft employee Ben Slivka.<ref name="MNW">{{cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kim |title=Counting sheep: Raise math scores at bedtime |url=http://mynorthwest.com/11/662021/Counting-sheep-Raise-math-scores-at-bedtime |access-date=3 July 2013 |work=MYNorthwest|date=15 April 2012 }}</ref><ref name="XC">{{cite web|last=Huang|first=Gregory T.|title=DreamBox Learning Bought by Netflix CEO (and Microsoft Board Member) Reed Hastings and Charter Fund—Some More Context|url=http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/04/20/dreambox-learning-bought-by-netflix-ceo-and-microsoft-board-member-reed-hastings-and-charter-fund-some-more-context/|work=Xconomy|access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="GW">{{cite web|title=DreamBox re-positions itself for focus on K-12 market|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2012/dreambox-repositions-focus-k12-market/|work=GeekWire|date=23 April 2012 |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref> In 2010, DreamBox Learning was acquired by the Charter School Growth Fund.<ref name="HP" /><ref name="GW" /> The acquisition was sponsored by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings through a program-related investment.<ref name="HP" /><ref name="GW" /> Jessie Woolley-Wilson became president and CEO of DreamBox Learning shortly after the acquisition.<ref name="HP" /><ref name="GW" />
The software was designed for students outside the classroom to augment their mathematics education and school districts seeking to enhance their mathematics curriculum.<ref name="S" /><ref name="MNW" /> 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.<ref name="IT" /><ref name="PT">{{cite web|title=Free DreamBox Learning for Math|url=http://pennilessteacher.com/2012/01/free-dreambox-learning-for-math.html|work=Penniless Teacher|access-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509052911/http://pennilessteacher.com/2012/01/free-dreambox-learning-for-math.html|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> The company released a free iOS app, DreamBox Math Learning program, in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=DreamBox Launches Free Math App for iPad|url=http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/11/18/brief-dreambox-launches-free-math-app-for-ipad.aspx|publisher=The Journal|author=Bolkan, Joshua|date=18 November 2013|access-date=26 March 2014}}</ref>
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.<ref name="TheJournal">{{cite web | url = http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/05/13/dreambox-launches-adaptive-math-curriculum-for-middle-schools.aspx | title = DreamBox Launches Adaptive Math Curriculum for Middle Schools | publisher = The Journal | access-date = 26 October 2014}}</ref> As of that year, DreamBox Learning is partnered with the education startup Clever<ref>{{cite news |author=Sailors, John |date=25 March 2014 |title=Clever nabs $10 million for education software |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/03/25/clever-nabs-10-million-for-education-software.html |access-date=26 March 2014 |publisher=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ISTE">{{cite web | url = http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/07/08/50-from-iste-933/ | title = Fifty from ISTE: 50 new ed-tech services | date = 8 July 2014 | publisher = eSchool News| access-date = 26 October 2014}}</ref> In 2016, the company updated its K-8 math curriculum with the ability to create custom assignments for individual students.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://gettingsmart.com/2016/04/new-dreambox-learning-feature-provides-personalized-learning-experiences/| title=New DreamBox Learning Feature Provides Personalized Learning Experiences|publisher=Getting Smart| date= 29 April 2016| access-date= 25 August 2016}}</ref>
As of 2021, the company had raised $150 million in funding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Soper |first=Taylor |date=2023-08-29 |title=Seattle-area edtech company DreamBox Learning acquired by Discovery Education |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2023/seattle-area-edtech-company-dreambox-learning-acquired-by-discovery-education/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, the company was acquired by Discovery Education, a Charlotte-based education technology company backed by Clearlake Capital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FinSMEs |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Discovery Education to Acquire DreamBox Learning |url=https://www.finsmes.com/2023/08/discovery-education-to-acquire-dreambox-learning.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=FinSMEs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clearlake Capital-Backed Discovery Education Completes Acquisition of DreamBox Learning |url=https://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/details/clearlake-capital-backed-discovery-education-completes-acquisition-of-dreambox-learning/ |access-date=October 18, 2023 |work=Discovery Education UK}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:DreamBox Learning}} Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions Category:Education companies of the United States Category:Software companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Bellevue, Washington Category:Software companies established in 2006 Category:Educational technology