ExploreLearning
ExploreLearning is a K-12 STEM education technology company offering adaptive, game-based supplemental products (Gizmos, Reflex, Frax, Science4Us) to US and international schools and districts via subscription site licenses, serving 15M+ students as a subsidiary of Cambium Learning Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersCharlottesville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What ExploreLearning does
ExploreLearning is a K-12 STEM education technology company headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, founded in 1999-2000 by mathematician and former teacher David Shuster. The company operates as a subsidiary of Cambium Learning Group, itself backed by private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), and as of October 15, 2025 has completed operational integration with sister company Learning A-Z under common parent LAZEL, Inc. ExploreLearning develops and sells a portfolio of four research-backed supplemental products: Gizmos (550+ virtual math and science simulations for grades 3-12, aligned to NGSS and state standards), Reflex (an adaptive, game-based math fact fluency system for grades 2-6 targeting addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), Frax (an adaptive, game-based fractions learning program for grade 3+ built around three Sectors of space-themed missions), and Science4Us (online and offline foundational science activities for K-2 learners).
The company monetizes primarily through annual subscription-based school and district site licenses priced per student, supplemented by a product-led growth motion consisting of free 30-day trials, classroom pilots, and an annual Math Grants program that provides free school-year access (valued at over $2,100) to qualifying classrooms of up to 40 students. Larger enterprise and district deployments are handled by a direct field sales organization, while mid-market and self-serve buyers transact online. ExploreLearning markets via its website, a content-marketing Insights blog, an educator community on Facebook (Reflex & Frax Teachers' Clubhouse), and a presence on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
ExploreLearning reports serving more than 15 million students and employs over 250 people across functions including sales, customer success, marketing, finance, software engineering, data analytics, product strategy, and implementation. The company has earned ISO 27001 certification (March 2024), ESSA Tier 2/3 evidence ratings on its products, and recurring industry recognition including six consecutive years on the GSV 150 list and multiple CODiE Awards. Recent strategic activity includes a Cogent Education acquisition (2017), the Frax Sector 3 expansion (2024), Reflex Competitions (2024), operational integration with Learning A-Z (2025), and a Global Impact Pilot extending STEM solutions into Sub-Saharan Africa.
ExploreLearning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ExploreLearning
- Legal name
- ExploreLearning, LLC
- Website
- https://explorelearning.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ExploreLearning is a K-12 STEM education technology company offering adaptive, game-based supplemental products (Gizmos, Reflex, Frax, Science4Us) to US and international schools and districts via subscription site licenses, serving 15M+ students as a subsidiary of Cambium Learning Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ExploreLearning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 STEM Educational Software
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Math & Science Interactive Learning Platforms (STEM Core) (EDAFANAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), Adaptive Learning & Personalized Instruction Software (EDAJAMAE), Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD), Digital/Blended K–12 Courseware & Interactive Textbooks (EDAGAAAJ)
Keywords
Where ExploreLearning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlottesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ExploreLearning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- School/District Subscriptions: Subscription-based licensing model where schools purchase site licenses providing access to all teachers and students. Pricing based on number of students and type of subscription. Annual billing with multi-year options available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | School Site License |
| Freemium | Annual | Classroom Grant (Free) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Trial |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ExploreLearning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ExploreLearning develops and sells a suite of four web-based, adaptive K-12 STEM supplemental learning products: Gizmos (virtual math and science simulations for grades 3-12 with 550+ simulations), Reflex (adaptive math fact fluency system for grades 2-6), Frax (game-based fractions program for grades 3+), and Science4Us (foundational science for K-2). The company sells annual site-license subscriptions to schools and districts, with free trials, classroom pilots, and a math grants program as acquisition channels.
Product overview
ExploreLearning is a K-12 STEM education technology company offering a platform of four core products: Gizmos (virtual math and science simulations for grades 3-12), Reflex (adaptive math fact fluency program for grades 2-6), Frax (game-based fractions solution for grades 3+), and Science4Us (foundational science for K-2). These products are organized into Math Solutions (Reflex, Frax) and Science Solutions (Gizmos, Science4Us) categories. The offerings are supplemental educational resources that are research-proven, designed for classroom and home use, and feature adaptive learning capabilities with game-based instruction. ExploreLearning serves more than 15 million students and operates as a brand under Cambium Learning Group.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gizmos: Virtual math and science simulations for grades 3-12 that bring interactive STEM learning experiences to classrooms
- Reflex
- Frax
- Science4Us
Products and services
- Gizmos Virtual math and science simulations that bring interactive STEM learning experiences to grade 3-12 classrooms, with over 550 digital simulations aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and state standards for inquiry-based and what-if experimentation.
- Reflex
Quantifiable outcome
- Students using Frax and Reflex were 1.6x more likely to meet or exceed typical i-Ready growth goals and 2x more likely to meet aspirational stretch growth goals
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use ExploreLearning
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ExploreLearning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ExploreLearning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Learning A-ZcoreExploreLearning and Learning A-Z are affiliated companies under common control of parent company LAZEL, Inc. They announced operational integration effective October 15, 2025, combining business operations to deliver a broader suite of K-12 educational solutions. This unified approach allows authorized team members from both companies to support products and services, with unified account management beginning January 2026.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ExploreLearning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IXL Learning: K-12 adaptive learning platform covering math, ELA, science, and social studies; competes with Gizmos on science and Reflex/Frax on math practice in district and family segments.
- DreamBox Learning: Adaptive K-8 math platform owned by Discovery Education; competes head-to-head with Reflex and Frax in district supplemental math budgets using game-based, adaptive instruction.
- Curriculum Associates (i-Ready): i-Ready Diagnostic and Instruction provides adaptive K-12 math and reading directly competing with Reflex, Frax, and Gizmos in the same district procurement cycle.
- Zearn: Free/popular K-5 adaptive math program aligned to Eureka/EngageNY; directly overlaps Reflex/Frax on daily math practice and is widely adopted in public school districts.
- Carnegie Learning: Provides MATHia adaptive math tutoring and MATHbook curriculum, overlapping directly with ExploreLearning's math fact fluency, fractions, and high school STEM offerings.
- ALEKS (McGraw Hill): Adaptive K-12 and higher-ed math program from McGraw Hill; competes on individualized math instruction and assessment, with overlapping school district buyers.
Broad incumbents
- Renaissance Learning: K-12 assessment and practice platform (Star, myON, Freckle, Lalilo); competes with ExploreLearning in district wallets across math practice, assessment, and intervention.
- Edmentum: K-12 digital curriculum and intervention provider (Exact Path, Study Island); broader portfolio but overlaps ExploreLearning on adaptive math/science and supplemental intervention.
- Imagine Learning: K-12 supplemental and intervention provider (Imagine Math, Imagine Literacy); competes with Reflex/Frax on math fact fluency and adaptive practice in US districts.
Emerging players
- Khan Academy: Free K-12 instructional content with growing AI tutor (Khanmigo); overlaps Gizmos on STEM concepts and Reflex/Frax on math practice, primarily as a free-tier alternative.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ExploreLearning social profiles
Digital presenceExploreLearning compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ExploreLearning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ExploreLearning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
ExploreLearning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ExploreLearning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ExploreLearning
What does ExploreLearning do?
ExploreLearning develops and sells a suite of four web-based, adaptive K-12 STEM supplemental learning products: Gizmos (virtual math and science simulations for grades 3-12 with 550+ simulations), Reflex (adaptive math fact fluency system for grades 2-6), Frax (game-based fractions program for grades 3+), and Science4Us (foundational science for K-2). The company sells annual site-license subscriptions to schools and districts, with free trials, classroom pilots, and a math grants program as acquisition channels.
Is ExploreLearning a public or private company?
ExploreLearning is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was ExploreLearning founded?
ExploreLearning was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ExploreLearning based?
ExploreLearning is headquartered in Charlottesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does ExploreLearning make money?
One revenue line is on record: school/District Subscriptions.
Who are ExploreLearning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IXL Learning, DreamBox Learning, Curriculum Associates (i-Ready), Zearn, Carnegie Learning and ALEKS (McGraw Hill). Broad incumbents are Renaissance Learning, Edmentum and Imagine Learning. Khan Academy is listed as an emerging player.
Does ExploreLearning have an API?
No public API is recorded for ExploreLearning.
What industry is ExploreLearning in?
ExploreLearning's product category is K-12 STEM Educational Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAH, Math & Science Interactive Learning Platforms (STEM Core), with a secondary code of EDAJAMAG, Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.