Math Tutoring for Kids in Riverwoods, Grades K–7
Not just math. A mindset for life.
Small-group math tutoring built on Singapore Math, the curriculum behind Singapore's top global math rankings.
All at your child's own pace.
Book Your Free Assessment
Pick a time that works for you — it takes two minutes. Free, with no obligation.
What the assessment covers
Learning gap identification
We pinpoint gaps in knowledge and conceptual roadblocks, and identify your child's existing strengths.
Cognitive insights
Discover how your child processes information, engages with teachers, and articulates their thinking.
A customized roadmap
You'll receive a tailored curriculum plan to bridge gaps or accelerate toward advanced learning.
No obligation
A 45–60 minute session with no pressure — just insight into how your child learns best.
Have more than one child? We may be able to assess siblings at the same visit — just call (224) 877-2468.
How is SAM Singapore Math different from traditional tutoring?
Most tutoring helps with tonight's homework. We build the understanding that makes homework easier every night after.
| SAM Singapore Math | Traditional tutoring | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Small groups, max 5 students per teacher. Mixed ages and abilities, each child on their own plan. | Usually one-on-one |
| Curriculum | Proprietary enrichment curriculum built on Singapore Math, the system behind Singapore's top-ranked math results for 30 years | The student's schoolwork or commonly available textbooks |
| Focus | Deep conceptual understanding and application that pays off now and for a lifetime | The immediate: tonight's homework, next week's test |
| Depth | Depth and variety in every topic, built for mastery | Often lacks the variety and depth needed for mastery |
| Teaching method | Consistent, proven methods (Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract, model drawing, problem-solving heuristics) grounded in decades of research | Varies by tutor |
| Outcome | Trained teachers and a world-class curriculum, built for lasting retention, thinking skills and problem-solving | Depends on the individual tutor and materials |
Our goal is bigger than math. In small groups with Socratic coaching, your child learns to explain their thinking, question ideas and reason out loud — skills that matter more than ever in today's world.
Why the world sees Singapore's math as the gold standard
Journalists, researchers and educators around the world have written about how Singapore teaches math — and why it works.
Financial Times
July 22, 2016
Why Singapore's kids are so good at maths
"Mathematics in Singapore is not about knowing everything. It's about thinking like a mathematician."
Andreas Schleicher, head of the OECD's education assessment programme
The Washington Post
February 17, 2000
Singapore's math materials build carefully from one topic to the next and have a "beautiful way of doing multistep problems."
Richard Askey, professor of mathematics, University of Wisconsin–Madison
"For grades one through six, they are the best textbooks I have ever seen."
Yoram Sagher, professor of mathematics, University of Illinois at Chicago, on Singapore's math textbooks
Newsweek
March 13, 2008
The Best Way to Teach Math
"…small but increasingly influential group of math researchers and educators who see the curriculum used in Singapore, often called Singapore Math, as the gold standard."
The Economist
August 30, 2018
What other countries can learn from Singapore's schools
"Today Singapore's education system is considered the best in the world… Singaporean pupils are roughly three years ahead of their American peers in maths."
The New York Times
September 30, 2010
Making Math Lessons as Easy as 1, Pause, 2, Pause…
On a New York school district adopting Singapore's national math approach to build deeper understanding
The Wall Street Journal
Opinion · December 8, 2016
Copying Singapore's Math Homework
Swipe to read more →
International Math Results
TIMSS 2023
Singapore ranks #1 in the world in 4th- and 8th-grade math
That's the approach behind every S.A.M. class.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, NCES, TIMSS 2023 U.S. Results.
Articles and results refer to Singapore's national approach to mathematics. The S.A.M. curriculum was developed in Singapore by educators and book publishers as an after-school enrichment program built on Singapore's national math curriculum.
What it takes to reach the advanced math track
North Shore districts look at more than a single test score. Here's what they typically weigh — and how S.A.M. builds each one.
Know the targets
MAP Growth Assessment
Target90th+ percentile
Compared nationally. Rewards broad understanding and readiness for harder questions.
Star 360 Assessment
Target90th+ percentile
Compared with same-grade students nationally. Rewards accurate computation plus conceptual problem solving.
IAR Assessment
TargetAbove Proficient
Illinois' top category — a mastery level, not a percentile. Rewards multistep application and clear explanations.
The FIVE things districts look for
Top achievement scores
Districts look forHigh MAP, Star, i-Ready or TerraNova results.
How S.A.M. builds itA diagnostic finds the gaps; concept-first teaching (Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract) builds understanding that carries to any question.
Quantitative reasoning
Districts look forStrong quantitative reasoning, often measured by the CogAT.
How S.A.M. builds itPurposefully varied problems and Socratic questioning train kids to spot patterns and reason through the unfamiliar.
Classroom mastery
Districts look forHigh unit-test averages and command of the curriculum.
How S.A.M. builds itGaps closed first, then new content — every concept mastered before moving on.
Problem-solving
Districts look forStrong performance on problem-solving tasks — in some districts, a separate assessment.
How S.A.M. builds itBar modeling, problem-solving strategies and multistep word problems, with kids explaining their solutions.
Consistency over time
Districts look forStrong results across multiple years and measures.
How S.A.M. builds itGraded homework, checkpoints, term reviews and quarterly report cards catch gaps early.
Swipe to see all five →
Students we serve attend
Where does your child stand today?
The free assessment shows exactly which of these to work on — and builds the plan to get there.
Book a Free AssessmentS.A.M. builds the skills these measures reward. Placement criteria and decisions rest with each school district and vary by district and year.
What Northshore-area families say
Better Comprehension. Better understanding. Better problem solving
Math tutoring grade by grade, K through 7th
From kindergarten through pre-algebra, our program spans ten mastery levels. Grades below are typical starting points — every child is placed at their true level after the assessment, never by grade alone.
Early learners
Ages 4–7 · Pre-K to 1st grade
Building blocks of number sense & shapes
Counting & number bonds
Addition & subtraction (to 100)
Patterns & shapes
Multiplication & division intro
Calendar & time
Money
Picture graphs
Odd & even numbers
Foundation builders
Ages 7–9 · 2nd to 3rd grade
Operations, measurement & problem-solving
Numbers to 10,000
All 4 operations
Fractions
Length, mass & volume
Area & perimeter
Angles & geometry
Bar & picture graphs
Mastering heuristics
Conceptual thinkers
Ages 9–11 · 4th to 5th grade
Fractions, decimals & deeper reasoning
Numbers to 100,000
Fractions & mixed numbers
Decimals
Percentages & rate
Area of triangles
Volume
Pie charts & line graphs
Exam preparation
Advanced problem solvers
Ages 11–13+ · 6th to 7th grade, pre-algebra
Pre-algebra, geometry & real-world application
Algebra & linear equations
Ratio & percentage
Integers & rational numbers
Circles & geometry
Distance, speed & time
3D solids & nets
Linear functions & graphs
Challenging word problems
Why it works — and actually sticks
It's not more repetition, and it's not memorizing procedures. It's a research-based curriculum and pedagogy that teaches children to understand and apply math — not just follow the steps.
Understanding first, not memorizing
With our Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract approach, children work with real objects and draw the math before they ever touch a formula. The idea is solid before the shortcut — so it doesn't crumble on a harder problem.
Flexible, not formulaic
We deliberately vary how each concept shows up, so your child learns to recognize the math in any form — instead of memorizing one set of steps that breaks on the next question.
Mastery before moving on
We don't rush to keep pace with a syllabus. A concept is truly owned before the next begins, so small gaps never quietly pile up into a struggle later.
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Find quick answers to common questions about our Singapore Math program
Will this help with my child's school math?
The short answer is yes. While every school and district has the independence to cover topics in a sequence that suits them — meaning there is no single standard path across all schools — the topics covered at the elementary level are the same worldwide.
Our rigorous Singapore Math (SAM) curriculum is considered the gold standard and covers all of these topics in depth and with rich variety, building a solid conceptual foundation and true mastery.
Will my child be challenged at SAM?
Absolutely! Our curriculum goes beyond repetitive drills to build the skills that matter most: higher-level comprehension, synthesis of complex information, and the ability to apply conceptual thinking across subjects. Through carefully crafted word problems and targeted heuristic strategies, we challenge students at every level to think independently and solve problems they’ve never seen before. The result is a set of durable, transferable skills that empower students to succeed — whether they’re working at grade level or tackling advanced mathematics.
Will my child struggle at SAM?
Not necessarily. We establish a strong conceptual foundation through our CPA approach, and because we customize the curriculum for each student, learning happens at their own pace. By working with the same teacher every session, progress accelerates naturally as concepts are mastered. Before enrolling, we conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment to pinpoint specific gaps, ensuring we address those first and build the confidence your child needs to succeed.
How will I know how my child is doing?
We pride ourselves on complete transparency and strongly encourage parental involvement.
You’ll receive quarterly report cards, along with verbal feedback before or after class whenever needed. We also maintain an open “Student Progress” calendar throughout the term, so you can book an appointment at any time to ask questions or discuss your child’s progress.
How is SAM different from RSM (Russian School of Mathematics)?
RSM utilizes a traditional method with classroom lectures that introduce abstraction early. In contrast, SAM employs a personalized coaching model and the Socratic method, that is possible only in small groups. We prioritize mastering conceptual foundation before introducing abstract procedures to ensure durable, relational understanding rather than the transient procedural focus often found in lecture-based models.
Is this tutoring or a class?
A bit of both, in the best sense. Your child works in a small group, up to 5 students per teacher, but follows their own plan based on the assessment. Children of different ages and levels can share a group because each one works at their own level.
Why small-group instead of one-on-one?
We teach with the Socratic method: children explain their thinking, question each other, and learn to reason out loud. That works best in a small group. Each child still gets individual attention and a plan built just for them.
Can you help my child prepare for MAP, IAR or a gifted program?
Our program builds the reasoning and problem-solving these tests measure, which is why it suits families aiming for gifted and accelerated placement. We’re not a short-term test-prep course. We build lasting skills that show up on test day.
What grades do you work with?
Ages 4–13, roughly pre-K through 7th grade, including pre-algebra. Your child is placed by assessment, not by grade.
How often are classes, and when can we start?
Weekly 60-minute classes at our Riverwoods center, with homework after each class. You can enroll any time. If you join mid-quarter, tuition is prorated.
Give your child a real math advantage
Book a free, no-obligation assessment at our Riverwoods center — it takes two minutes, and it could change how your child sees math.
Riverwoods Center
1133 N Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015
Serving Riverwoods, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire
Programs
Hours
- Thu, Fri: 3:00–7:00 pm
- Sat, Sun: 12:00–3:00 pm
- Book an assessment →