Zaner-Bloser
Zaner-Bloser is a private U.S. educational publisher, founded in 1888 and part of the Highlights Family of Companies, that sells PreK-6 literacy, handwriting, math, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and SEL curriculum to K-12 schools and districts through field sales, a digital platform (MyZBPortal), and professional development services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1888
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Zaner-Bloser does
Zaner-Bloser is a private educational publishing company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, that develops and sells PreK-6 literacy and mathematics curricula to K-12 schools and districts across the United States. The company was founded in 1888 and operates as a subsidiary within the Highlights Family of Companies. Its product portfolio covers reading (The Superkids Reading Program, Superkids Foundational Skills Kit), handwriting (Zaner-Bloser Handwriting in English and Spanish), mathematics (Building Fact Fluency, Kickstart Math Intervention), writing and grammar (Patterns of Power, I Read to Write, Grammar Usage and Mechanics), spelling (Spelling Connections), vocabulary (Word Heroes, Word Wisdom), and social-emotional learning (Mindscapes). Curriculum materials are delivered in print and through the MyZBPortal digital platform, which provides student data management, online fluency assessments, and digital resource access under a COPPA- and FERPA-compliant infrastructure.
The company monetizes through three revenue streams: one-time and term licenses for print and digital curriculum materials, recurring subscriptions to its digital platforms, and professional development services bundled with curriculum implementation. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; sales are conducted primarily through dedicated field sales consultants engaging schools and districts, supported by an e-commerce storefront (shop.zaner-bloser.com), an inside sales/customer experience team, and a multi-channel marketing program spanning content marketing, email, social media, and webinars. The customer base is segmented horizontally across U.S. public and private K-12 institutions (the primary segment) and individual educators/coaches/specialists (a secondary persona segment), with curriculum aligned to Common Core and individual state standards and to ESSA-evidenced research outcomes.
Technology is functional rather than differentiated: MyZBPortal provides student data management, online assessments (including an optional voice-recording feature for oral reading fluency that is reviewed manually by teachers), and digital curriculum delivery, with AES 256-bit encryption at rest and SSL/TLS in transit. No APIs, SDKs, AI capabilities, or third-party integrations are disclosed, and the voice-recording feature is explicitly not processed by automated or AI systems. The company holds registered trademarks across its core product lines and operates with 51-100 employees.
Zaner-Bloser firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zaner-Bloser
- Legal name
- Zaner-Bloser, Inc.
- Website
- https://zaner-bloser.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1888
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Zaner-Bloser is a private U.S. educational publisher, founded in 1888 and part of the Highlights Family of Companies, that sells PreK-6 literacy, handwriting, math, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and SEL curriculum to K-12 schools and districts through field sales, a digital platform (MyZBPortal), and professional development services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zaner-Bloser industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Curriculum Publishing
- NAICS
- Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Core Subject Textbooks (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) (EDAGAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital/Blended K–12 Courseware & Interactive Textbooks (EDAGAAAJ), K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA), Early Learning Digital Curriculum & School Readiness Content (EDAFACAN), Literacy Foundations (Phonics, Reading Fluency, Comprehension) Platforms (EDAFAOAD), K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA), Early Literacy & Pre-Reading (Phonics, Letter Knowledge) (EDAGACAA), Early Numeracy & Math Readiness (EDAGACAB)
Keywords
Where Zaner-Bloser is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zaner-Bloser business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Curriculum Materials Sales: Sale of print and digital literacy and math curriculum materials for PreK-6 education, including Mathematics, Handwriting, Reading, Writing & Grammar, Spelling, Social-Emotional Learning, and Vocabulary programs.
- Digital Subscriptions: Subscription-based access to digital platforms including MyZBPortal.com and online curriculum resources. Recurring revenue from digital product licenses.
- Professional Development Services: On-demand implementation training, professional development workshops, and educational consulting services for teachers and administrators implementing Zaner-Bloser curricula.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom pricing based on school/district requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Zaner-Bloser product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zaner-Bloser develops, publishes, and sells print and digital literacy and mathematics instructional curricula for PreK-8 education, covering reading, handwriting, writing and grammar, spelling, vocabulary, mathematics, and social-emotional learning. Curriculum content is delivered alongside the proprietary MyZBPortal digital platform (student data management, online fluency assessments, digital curriculum access) and bundled with professional development, implementation training, and educational consulting services for teachers and administrators.
Product overview
Zaner-Bloser offers a comprehensive literacy and mathematics curriculum portfolio for PreK–8 education, organized as a platform-plus-products architecture. The core product line spans reading (The Superkids Reading Program 2026/2017), handwriting (Zaner-Bloser Handwriting in English and Spanish), mathematics (Building Fact Fluency, Kickstart Intervention), writing and grammar (Patterns of Power, I Read to Write, Grammar Usage and Mechanics), spelling (Spelling Connections), vocabulary (Word Heroes, Word Wisdom), and social-emotional learning (Mindscapes). These products are supported by the MyZBPortal digital platform for online access and delivery. The company, part of the Highlights Family of Companies, also provides professional development services and research-backed efficacy support to complement its instructional materials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Superkids Reading Program: Comprehensive English Language Arts Curriculum for Grades K–2
- Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
- Kickstart: Operations
- Kickstart: Fractions
- Building Fact Fluency
- Zaner-Bloser La escritura
- Mindscapes: Becoming Our Best Selves
Products and services
- The Superkids Reading Program © 2026 Comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum for Grades K-2 covering reading, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, intended for K-2 classrooms.
- Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Explicit handwriting instruction curriculum for Grades K-6 focusing on handwriting skills in English, intended for elementary classroom handwriting instruction.
- Zaner-Bloser La escritura Spanish-language handwriting curriculum providing explicit handwriting instruction in Spanish for students.
- Building Fact Fluency Mathematics program focused on developing students' fluency with basic math facts through systematic instruction and practice.
- Kickstart Math Intervention Small-group intervention program for grades 3-5 designed to advance students to proficiency and confidence in mathematics, with sub-programs covering Counting and Number Sense, Operations, and Fractions.
- Patterns of Power Writing and grammar curriculum that connects reading and writing instruction using a patterns-based approach.
- I Read to Write Writing curriculum that connects reading comprehension to writing instruction for Grades 2-6.
- Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Grammar curriculum for Grades 2-8 covering language conventions, usage rules, and punctuation skills.
- Spelling Connections: A Word Study Approach Spelling curriculum for Grades 1-8 using a word study approach to develop spelling and vocabulary skills.
- Word Heroes Vocabulary curriculum that uses a game-based approach to teach vocabulary skills to students.
- Word Wisdom Vocabulary development curriculum for Grades 3-8 focusing on word learning strategies and vocabulary growth.
- Mindscapes: Becoming Our Best Selves Social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum designed to help students develop self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
- The Superkids Foundational Skills Kit Foundational reading skills kit for young learners covering phonemic awareness, phonics, and early reading skills.
- Happily Ever After Reading program component focused on literary text comprehension and appreciation.
- Highlights Early Learning Early childhood learning resources developed in partnership with Highlights for Children, covering foundational skills for PreK students.
- MyZBPortal Digital portal platform providing online access to Zaner-Bloser programs, student progress tracking, and teacher resources for administering digital curricula.
- Professional Development Services Professional learning and development services including on-demand implementation training, live webinars, and Science of Reading resources for educators implementing Zaner-Bloser curricula.
Companies that use Zaner-Bloser
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Zaner-Bloser technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Zaner-Bloser partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Highlights for ChildrencoreZaner-Bloser is part of the Highlights Family of Companies, with inspiration from Highlights for Children driving the company's approach to helping students become confident, capable, and creative communicators. The connection provides brand credibility in the education market.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zaner-Bloser competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Curriculum Associates: Publisher of iReady diagnostic and instruction and the Ready curriculum, with strong digital and assessment capabilities. Comparable to Zaner-Bloser in targeting elementary literacy/math but with a more digital-first model.
- Lexia Learning: Focused on literacy instruction (Lexia Core5, PowerUp) with strong adoption in foundational reading. Comparable to Zaner-Bloser's Superkids/Foundational Skills reading portfolio, particularly for intervention and dyslexia support use cases.
- Imagine Learning: Provides Imagine Language & Literacy and Imagine Math products targeting elementary literacy and math, with digital and intervention offerings. Direct competitor in the same K-6 district sales motion.
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: One of the largest US K-12 publishers, offering core ELA and math programs (Into Reading, Go Math) plus intervention and assessment suites. Direct competitor to Zaner-Bloser for district-wide literacy and math adoptions at scale.
- Voyager Sopris Learning: Publisher of literacy intervention programs (Voyager Passport, LANGUAGE!) and math intervention. Comparable to Zaner-Bloser's Kickstart intervention tier and Superkits intervention use cases.
- Benchmark Education Company: Specialist in K-6 literacy with Benchmark Literacy and Benchmark Phonics, plus intervention programs. Closely comparable to Zaner-Bloser's literacy-focused core and intervention tier (Superkids, Foundational Skills Kit).
- Amplify: Digital-first K-12 publisher offering Amplify CKLA (ELA) and Amplify Math, plus benchmark assessments. Overlaps with Zaner-Bloser in K-6 literacy and math, especially where districts prioritize blended digital curricula.
- McGraw-Hill Education: Major K-12 publisher behind Wonders (ELA) and My Math, with a growing digital assessment and adaptive-learning portfolio. Competes head-to-head with Zaner-Bloser in core curriculum adoptions across US districts.
Broad incumbents
- Scholastic Education: Large publisher offering Scholastic Literacy, guided reading, and classroom magazines, plus teacher resources. Overlaps with Zaner-Bloser in K-6 literacy and classroom reading instruction.
Emerging players
- 95 Percent Group: Specialist in phonics-based reading intervention and structured literacy professional development. Comparable to Zaner-Bloser's Superkids Foundational Skills Kit and dyslexia/intervention offerings for elementary literacy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zaner-Bloser social profiles
Digital presenceZaner-Bloser compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Zaner-Bloser financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zaner-Bloser leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zaner-Bloser funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zaner-Bloser M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zaner-Bloser
What does Zaner-Bloser do?
Zaner-Bloser develops, publishes, and sells print and digital literacy and mathematics instructional curricula for PreK-8 education, covering reading, handwriting, writing and grammar, spelling, vocabulary, mathematics, and social-emotional learning. Curriculum content is delivered alongside the proprietary MyZBPortal digital platform (student data management, online fluency assessments, digital curriculum access) and bundled with professional development, implementation training, and educational consulting services for teachers and administrators.
Is Zaner-Bloser a public or private company?
Zaner-Bloser is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Zaner-Bloser founded?
Zaner-Bloser was founded in 1888. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Zaner-Bloser based?
Zaner-Bloser is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zaner-Bloser make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Curriculum Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are digital Subscriptions and professional Development Services.
Who are Zaner-Bloser's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Curriculum Associates, Lexia Learning, Imagine Learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Voyager Sopris Learning, Benchmark Education Company, Amplify and McGraw-Hill Education. Scholastic Education is listed as a broad incumbent. 95 Percent Group is listed as an emerging player.
Does Zaner-Bloser have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zaner-Bloser.
What industry is Zaner-Bloser in?
Zaner-Bloser's product category is Educational Curriculum Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAAAA, Core Subject Textbooks (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies), with a secondary code of EDAGAAAJ, Digital/Blended K–12 Courseware & Interactive Textbooks. Its NAICS code is 61 and its SIC code is 2731.