Singapore Math Enrichment in Riverwoods. Customized to your child.
Advanced? At grade level? A bit behind?
We meet your child right where they are.
Serving Riverwoods, Deerfield, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire
Ages 4–13 · Individualized Coaching · 5:1 ratio
Not
lectured.
"The teaching approach is engaging and helps children develop a strong understanding of mathematical concepts." — Mr. Samantara, father of a 6 year old
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.
What Riverwoods-area families say
Better Comprehension. Better understanding. Better problem solving
S.A.M. Singapore Math vs. other math programs
Most programs focus on skills and drills. We go deeper into application and creative problem solving.
1Curriculum
2Method
3In-Class Teaching
4Student Centricity
5Outcome
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.
Your Child's Journey to Math Excellence Begins with us!
A birds-eye-view of our curriculum
From early learners to advanced problem-solvers, our program spans ages 4–13 across nine mastery levels. Every child is placed at their true level after the assessment — never by grade alone.
Early learners
Ages 3 – 7
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
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
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+
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.
30K+
Excelling Students Worldwide
Built for the North Shore's competitive schools
The North Shore is home to some of Illinois' highest-achieving school districts — and that bar keeps rising. At SAM, we build the deep problem-solving skills and quiet confidence that help your child not just keep up, but get ahead: stronger math placement, accelerated tracks, and a genuine love of the subject.
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Find quick answers to common questions about our Singapore Math program
How do you determine whether my child should be moved up a level?
Our focus is building a strong conceptual foundation, not advancing students to an arbitrary level. Before enrollment, a comprehensive diagnostic assessment identifies knowledge gaps, allowing us to customize the curriculum accordingly. Once those gaps are filled, we progress the student into new content. In our view, moving a child up a level for its own sake is detrimental — a solid conceptual foundation and strong logical reasoning skills benefit them for a lifetime.
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.
Does your curriculum match what my child is learning at school?
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.
Who are your teachers?
To train thinkers, you need thinkers. We don’t hire for lecture-style, one-size-fits-all teaching — we look for educators who think flexibly and adapt to the way each child processes and applies information.
Every candidate goes through a rigorous selection process: a written assessment to evaluate their own thinking, and an in-depth interview to assess communication skills, which are central to how we teach. Before working with students, all teachers complete our training program — and that development continues for as long as they’re with us.
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.
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 do you assess to see how my child is doing?
Every homework assignment your child turns in is graded, and any errors stemming from conceptual misunderstandings are reviewed with the student during the next class session.
Our curriculum also includes regular checkpoints, quizzes, and term reviews that assess each student’s learning over the prior few weeks or term. All of these assessments are graded and recorded, allowing us to ensure that your child has not only understood the material conceptually, but has also retained the information over time.
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 →