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Find quick answers to common questions about our franchise model, support system, and investment details. We’re here to help you make informed decisions with complete clarity and confidence.
Singapore Math is the curriculum used in Singapore’s highly competitive public schools. Research-backed and rigorous, it prioritizes deep conceptual mastery over procedural memorization — and has proven highly effective at developing superior critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Built on the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) framework, it moves systematically to lay a solid conceptual foundation, teaching students both the how and the why behind mathematics. This gold-standard pedagogy emphasizes multi-step word problems and mathematical logic, preparing children to apply reasoning adaptively to complex, unfamiliar challenges.
SAM (Seriously Addictive Mathematics) is a math enrichment program built on Singapore Math, the gold standard of math curricula. Going beyond the classroom, we take the Singapore Math pedagogy even further through incrementally challenging questions that deepen conceptual understanding and build true mastery from an early age. Students tackle complex, non-routine problems that develop real logical reasoning, the kind that shapes how kids think for life.
The SAE curriculum is explicitly fashioned after the UK’s leading Cambridge English curriculum. It is an internationally recognized, language-rich full literacy program that targets comprehensive mastery over standard flashcard drills. It guides students seamlessly from early phonics to advanced textual analysis. By integrating decoding fluency, structural grammar, and contextual vocabulary into cohesive modules, this framework ensures children develop the elite reading comprehension and independent writing skills required for top-tier academic performance.
Yes, absolutely. It is arguably the best program for this. Our curriculum is custom-tailored to accelerate advanced learners while deeply reinforcing their logical foundations. For students aiming for advanced tracks, we explicitly teach the visual heuristics and multi-step word problem strategies necessary to dominate selective placement benchmarks.
For students already enrolled in school acceleration programs, we bridge the gap between procedural speed and true conceptual understanding—ensuring their advanced grade-level progression is built on permanent analytical mastery rather than fragile, short-term memorization.
Absolutely. Because our program is strictly personalized, every child progresses at their optimal pace. We begin with a thorough diagnostic assessment to pinpoint specific gaps in conceptual understanding. Using these insights, we customize the curriculum to your child’s exact needs. Our instructors then deliver this tailored plan using interactive Socratic coaching in a strict 5:1 setting, ensuring your child fills foundational gaps, builds genuine confidence, and masters grade-level concepts completely.
Yes. Our curriculum is fully aligned with Illinois Common Core and standard school benchmarks. However, while traditional classrooms often teach math procedurally as a fragmented list of rules to memorize for a test, SAM approaches these same topics conceptually. By mastering the underlying architectural logic first, our students easily fulfill standard grade-level requirements while significantly outpacing school expectations in logical problem-solving and critical thinking.
Our curriculum and pedagogy are expertly designed to help students excel on adaptive assessments. Tests like the NWEA MAP evaluate deep logical reasoning, which our program explicitly builds. However, academic success is a true partnership. While we provide a gold-standard framework and dedicated 5:1 coaching, the student must maintain strong study habits and consistently complete their weekly homework. When a student’s consistent effort meets our proven methodology, they routinely achieve top-tier results.
Our pedagogy utilizes the world-renowned Singapore Math Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) framework to build deep conceptual understanding over rote memorization. We deliver this through a proven two-pillar approach:
RSM relies on traditional classroom lectures that introduce abstraction early — a one-size-fits-all approach. We do things differently. From day one, we focus on maximizing outcomes for every individual student, actively engaging them and creating a culture where questions are welcomed, not suppressed. Our mixed-age, small-group classrooms eliminate the peer-judgment anxieties that hold students back, giving every child the confidence to speak up and dig deeper. Our gold-standard curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students at every ability level.
| Kumon | SAM | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Drill-based repetition through worksheets | Conceptual understanding built through engagement |
| Focus | Speed and accuracy — the “how” | Deep understanding — the “why” |
| Teacher role | Minimal — largely self-directed | Active — teachers engage and guide every student |
| Questions | Procedures followed, not questioned | Encouraged from day one |
| Class format | Fixed-level, independent worksheet work | Small, mixed-age groups — low-anxiety environment |
| Curriculum | One-size-fits-all progression | Individualized – challenges every ability level |
| Outcome | Fast executors | Confident mathematical thinkers |
Mathnasium | SAM
| |
|---|---|---|
Curriculum | Proprietary Mathnasium Method | Built on Singapore Math: Globally top-ranked by TIMSS and PISA |
Primary goal | Remediation | Enrichment |
Method | Homework help and test prep; focused on short-term results over lasting skill-building | Focus on deep conceptual understanding through variety and depth in every topic |
Class format | Drop-in tutoring center with rotating staff | Small groups (max 5) with consistent, relationship-driven instruction |
Homework | Supplemental take-home practice; not central to the model | A core pillar of the SAM program. Weekly worksheets are carefully designed to reinforce classroom learning independently — building the problem-solving habits and self-reliance students need to excel on their own. |
Student range | Primarily struggling or below-grade-level students | All levels — struggling, on-level, and advanced (ages 4–12) |
Outcome | Grade-level catch-up | Independent, confident mathematical thinkers |
Our entire curriculum is built directly upon the world-renowned Singapore Math framework, a research-backed pedagogy with over 30 years of global success. On international TIMSS and PISA benchmark exams, Singapore students consistently claim the top spots worldwide.
Remarkably, half of these students exceed the “Advanced International Benchmark”—defined as the ability to apply deep conceptual knowledge and navigate complex, non-routine problems. SAM brings this exact, field-proven educational architecture directly to your child.
We currently have learning centers in Lincoln Park, Naperville, and our newest center in Riverwoods/ Buffalo Grove communities. More centers across Chicagoland are expected to open in 2026 and 2027.
Our centers generally operate during high-demand after-school hours on weekdays, as well as weekends to comfortably accommodate busy family schedules. Because every student receives a dedicated coaching timeslot, please contact your specific local center for precise scheduling availability.
Yes. We understand family logistics can be hectic. Each of our locations has been specifically chosen to ensure parents have access to safe, convenient drop-off zones or accessible parking to make transitions as smooth as possible. Please navigate to the specific center page for more information.
The beauty of our personalized model is that your child never actually “misses a lesson” (like a traditional lecture)—their custom curriculum simply pauses until they return. As long as you cancel a session in advance through our parent portal, you will automatically receive a makeup credit to use on any day where we have mutual open availability. Advance notice is required so we can open up that 5:1 spot for another family looking to use a credit, just as you will rely on someone else doing when your child needs a makeup.
Our core curriculum officially begins at age 4. However, we occasionally accept students slightly younger if they demonstrate the focus and behavioral readiness for a structured learning environment. Because we limit our classrooms to a strict 5:1 ratio to guarantee elite attention for every student, we evaluate younger applicants individually. This ensures a joyful, productive experience for your child without diminishing the focused learning environment our current students rely on.
Yes, we coordinate simultaneous sibling slots to ease family logistics. Each child works entirely on their own independent curriculum track with their own dedicated coach. However, we do not offer tiered sibling discounts, as our investment goes completely into maintaining a strict 5:1 coaching ratio and a fully customized academic track for every individual child. Our cost of delivering this premium instruction remains identical for each student.
We practice complete transparency. Every assignment is carefully graded, and conceptual errors are immediately addressed one-on-one in the next class. Our curriculum also integrates periodic checkpoints, topical practice modules, and comprehensive term reviews. Parents receive formal quarterly report cards alongside open access to our digital tracking portal to schedule verbal progress reviews anytime.
In our highly personalized program, advancement is driven entirely by conceptual mastery, not by formulaic levels. Because each child works on a custom curriculum track, mentors continuously assess their understanding during our 5:1 Socratic coaching sessions. A student naturally “moves up” the moment they can independently apply the underlying logic to solve complex, non-routine problems without guidance. We formally validate this through continuous grading, term checkpoints, and quarterly report cards, ensuring their progression is built on permanent capability.
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