HeadSprout
HeadSprout was a K-5 reading intervention product, retired in 2024; its parent LAZEL, Inc. (dba Learning A-Z, a Cambium Learning Group subsidiary) now sells Science of Reading-aligned PreK-6 literacy subscriptions to teachers and schools worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What HeadSprout does
HeadSprout was founded in 1999 in Seattle as an early reading intervention program for K-5 students. The HeadSprout product was retired in 2024 and the business is now operated as LAZEL, Inc. (doing business as Learning A-Z), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cambium Learning Group (NASDAQ: ABCD). The active product portfolio is a suite of Science of Reading-aligned PreK-6 digital literacy solutions: Raz-Plus (the core K-5 supplemental literacy platform), Raz-Plus ELL and Raz-Plus Español (add-ons for linguistically diverse and dual-language classrooms), Raz-Kids (independent digital reading), Reading A-Z (teacher-led differentiation resources), Foundations A-Z (foundational skills), Vocabulary A-Z, Writing A-Z, and Science A-Z. Content is delivered through a digital-first platform with extensive libraries of scaffolded texts, activities, and hands-on experiments, supplemented by professional learning services (on-demand, virtual, and in-person) and curriculum services.
The go-to-market is hybrid: a product-led growth motion targets individual teachers and small schools through a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, while a dedicated sales team (including global sales) handles enterprise and district-level deals. Revenue is generated via subscription-based pricing for standalone products or bundled packages covering K-6 classrooms. Customer segments are segmented horizontally by use case rather than vertically, with primary users being PreK-6 teachers and students, and secondary segments including linguistically diverse classrooms (ELL support) and K-5 dual-language classrooms (Spanish-language support).
HeadSprout firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HeadSprout
- Legal name
- LAZEL, Inc.
- Website
- https://headsprout.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- HeadSprout was a K-5 reading intervention product, retired in 2024; its parent LAZEL, Inc. (dba Learning A-Z, a Cambium Learning Group subsidiary) now sells Science of Reading-aligned PreK-6 literacy subscriptions to teachers and schools worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where HeadSprout is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
HeadSprout business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Subscription-based Literacy Solutions: Learning A-Z offers subscription-based access to its suite of literacy products including Raz-Plus, Raz-Kids, Reading A-Z, and other solutions. Products are available as standalone offerings or bundled packages for K-6 classrooms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free trial period |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
HeadSprout product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LAZEL, Inc. (the operating entity behind the retired HeadSprout brand) sells subscription-based Science of Reading-aligned digital literacy and supplemental education platforms for PreK-6 classrooms under the Learning A-Z brand. Core offerings include the Raz-Plus all-in-one K-5 literacy solution, Raz-Kids digital reading practice, Reading A-Z, Foundations A-Z, Vocabulary A-Z, Writing A-Z, and Science A-Z, delivered via a web platform with accompanying professional learning services.
Product overview
Learning A-Z (parent of HeadSprout) offers a suite of PreK-6 Science of Reading-aligned literacy and educational solutions. HeadSprout itself has been retired. The current product portfolio includes Raz-Plus (the core all-in-one K-5 literacy platform), supported by add-on modules Raz-Plus ELL and Raz-Plus Español for diverse language learners, alongside complementary products Raz-Kids (digital reading practice), Reading A-Z (teacher resources), Foundations A-Z (foundational skills), Science A-Z (K-6 science instruction), Vocabulary A-Z (vocabulary instruction), and Writing A-Z (writing instruction). The platform emphasizes teacher-centered instruction backed by reading research.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Raz-Plus: All-in-one K-5 supplemental literacy solution providing teachers with resources for Science of Reading-aligned instruction.
- Raz-Plus ELL
- Raz-Plus Español
- Raz-Kids
- Reading A-Z
- Foundations A-Z
- Science A-Z
- Vocabulary A-Z
- Writing A-Z
Companies that use HeadSprout
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HeadSprout technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
HeadSprout partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Cambium Learning Groupparent companyHeadSprout has been retired and consolidated into Learning A-Z, which is owned by Cambium Learning Group. LAZEL, Inc. is a Cambium Learning Group Company. The integration connects Learning A-Z with ExploreLearning under the Cambium Learning Group umbrella.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
HeadSprout competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lexia Learning: Provides Lexia Core5 and PowerUp, Science of Reading-aligned K-12 literacy intervention and instruction platforms. Directly competes with Raz-Plus/Foundations A-Z for the same supplemental literacy budget in U.S. school districts.
- Imagine Learning: Offers Imagine Learning Language & Literacy, a K-6 digital literacy program built on the Science of Reading. Competes head-to-head in elementary literacy RFPs with similar teacher-led, student-practice delivery model.
- Curriculum Associates (iReady): iReady Diagnostic & Instruction provides K-6 adaptive literacy and reading instruction widely adopted in U.S. districts. Closely comparable as a digital K-6 supplemental literacy solution with assessment-driven personalization.
- Renaissance Learning: Provides myON digital reading platform and Accelerated Reader, serving K-6 literacy practice in schools. Directly comparable independent-reading and digital library offering targeting the same teacher buyer.
- Edmentum (Reading Eggs): Edmentum offers Reading Eggs and Exact Path, K-6 digital reading and literacy programs. Competes for the same supplemental literacy and ELL dollars with similar self-paced digital delivery.
- Benchmark Education: Provides Benchmark Advance and Benchmark Phonics, K-6 literacy curriculum and intervention resources. Comparable bilingual/ELL offerings and teacher-centered instructional materials compete with Raz-Plus.
- Voyager Sopris Learning: Provides LANGUAGE! Live and other K-6 reading intervention programs. Comparable focus on foundational literacy and intervention with similar district-purchase go-to-market.
Broad incumbents
- HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt): Major K-12 publisher with HMH Into Reading and related digital literacy solutions. Competes across both core and supplemental literacy budgets but as part of a much broader curriculum portfolio.
- Amplify: Offers Amplify CKLA and mCLASS literacy solutions for K-6 classrooms. Comparable Science of Reading-aligned literacy content with broad assessment and curriculum capabilities.
Emerging players
- Waterford Institute (Waterford Upstart): Early reading and literacy intervention platform for PreK-3, including Waterford Upstart. Overlaps with Foundations A-Z and Raz-Kids in early foundational reading instruction for PreK-3.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HeadSprout social profiles
Digital presenceHeadSprout financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HeadSprout leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
HeadSprout funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HeadSprout 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 HeadSprout
What does HeadSprout do?
LAZEL, Inc. (the operating entity behind the retired HeadSprout brand) sells subscription-based Science of Reading-aligned digital literacy and supplemental education platforms for PreK-6 classrooms under the Learning A-Z brand. Core offerings include the Raz-Plus all-in-one K-5 literacy solution, Raz-Kids digital reading practice, Reading A-Z, Foundations A-Z, Vocabulary A-Z, Writing A-Z, and Science A-Z, delivered via a web platform with accompanying professional learning services.
Is HeadSprout a public or private company?
HeadSprout is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HeadSprout founded?
HeadSprout was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is HeadSprout based?
HeadSprout is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does HeadSprout make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription-based Literacy Solutions.
Who are HeadSprout's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lexia Learning, Imagine Learning, Curriculum Associates (iReady), Renaissance Learning, Edmentum (Reading Eggs), Benchmark Education and Voyager Sopris Learning. Broad incumbents are HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and Amplify. Waterford Institute (Waterford Upstart) is listed as an emerging player.
Does HeadSprout have an API?
No public API is recorded for HeadSprout.