Zearn
If your child comes home talking about “digital lessons,” “Tower of Power,” or earning badges in math class, there’s a good chance they’re using Zearn. The nonprofit math platform has become one of the most widely used learning tools in American elementary and middle schools.
This guide explains what the program is, how it works, how students and teachers log in, what research says about it, and how families can support kids who use it.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit (501(c)(3)) education organization |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Shalinee Sharma and Evan Rudall |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Grades | Kindergarten through 8th grade |
| Reach | About 1 in 4 US elementary students and more than 1 million middle schoolers |
| Lessons | More than 1,000 interactive lessons |
| Research rating | “Strong” (Tier 1) from Evidence for ESSA |
| Login options | Username and password, Google, Clever, ClassLink |
What Is Zearn?
It’s a nonprofit organization that makes a math learning program for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Its main product, Zearn Math, mixes teacher led instruction, printed materials, and online lessons. Students learn new ideas with their teacher and classmates, then practice on a computer or tablet with short videos, games, and problems that give instant feedback.
The organization was founded in 2012 by Shalinee Sharma, who serves as CEO, and Evan Rudall, a former CEO of the Uncommon Schools charter network. Its goal is to help every child love learning math.
How the Program Has Grown
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Founded in New York City |
| 2017 | Launched its K-5 curriculum |
| 2022 | Expanded to a full K-8 curriculum |
| 2024 to 2025 | Approved by the Texas State Board of Education |
| 2025 | Rated “Strong” by Evidence for ESSA |
| August 2025 | South Carolina gave all schools free access for five years |
Today, the program says it reaches about one in four US elementary students and more than one million middle school students. As of early 2025, more than 60% of its partner schools were Title I schools, which serve many low income families.
How Zearn Math Works
Core Lessons
Each lesson follows a pattern. Teachers introduce a concept, such as adding fractions, through a whole class discussion. Students then work in small groups or on their own using printed notes and the digital platform.
Digital Lessons
The online part includes:
- Videos: On screen teachers walk students through each concept with visuals
- Interactive practice: Students solve problems and get instant feedback
- Fluency games: Quick practice to build math facts
- Quizzes: Short checks to see what students learned
Tower of Power
Many lessons end with a short assessment that students often call the “Tower of Power.” Students solve a set of problems to show they understand the lesson. If they get stuck, the program offers extra help, called Boosts, that breaks the problem into smaller steps.
Badges and Motivation
Students earn badges as they complete lessons. Kids often enjoy tracking their progress, and teachers use badges to celebrate effort and growth.
Focus on Visual Models
The curriculum uses pictures and models, such as number lines, tape diagrams, and place value charts, to help students understand why math works, not just how to get answers.
Zearn Login: How Students Sign In
There are several ways to log in, depending on how a school sets up its accounts.
Option 1: Username and Password
Students who don’t use a district sign on system can log in from the homepage with the username and password their teacher gives them.
Option 2: Sign In With Google
From the same homepage, students can click “Sign in with Google” and use their school Google account.
Option 3: Clever
Many districts use Clever, a single sign on portal. Students log into Clever first, often with a username, password, or QR code badge, and then click the program’s icon.
Option 4: ClassLink
Some districts use ClassLink LaunchPad instead of Clever. Students open their district’s ClassLink page and click the program’s icon.
Login Tips
Most Zearn login problems come down to a forgotten password or a district portal issue. These quick fixes usually help.
| Problem | Try This |
|---|---|
| Forgot username or password | Ask the teacher, who can view student logins |
| Clever or ClassLink not working | Try the backup username and password from the teacher |
| Page won’t load | Refresh, clear the browser cache, or try another browser |
| Logged into the wrong account | Log out fully, then sign in again |
Teacher Login and Backup Access
Teachers in schools that use Clever or ClassLink can set up a backup login. This lets them sign in directly from the homepage if the district portal is down. According to the help center, teachers can:
- Log into their account.
- Click their name in the top right corner and select My Account.
- Click the option to set up a homepage sign in.
- Confirm their email address.
- Follow the emailed instructions to set a password.
Once set up, teachers can open the Roster page, choose a class, and view their students’ usernames and passwords. That makes it easy to help a student who can’t get into their account.
Does It Work? What Research Says
The program has stronger research backing than many digital learning tools.
| Study or Rating | Finding |
|---|---|
| Evidence for ESSA (2025) | Rated “Strong,” the highest tier |
| RAND Corporation trial | Statistically significant gains on the NWEA MAP test, especially for students below grade level |
| Johns Hopkins study (2019) | Efficacy study of the program |
Evidence for ESSA is a project of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Research and Reform in Education. A “Strong” rating means at least one well designed randomized study showed positive results.
How Much Does It Cost?
The program offers different account types:
- Free accounts: Individual teachers and families can sign up for free access to digital lessons.
- School Accounts: Schools and districts can pay for School Accounts, which add more reporting, teacher tools, and support.
- Statewide deals: Some states pay for access. In August 2025, South Carolina announced all its schools would get the program free for five years, and families there could use it at no cost. Ohio also announced no cost access for some schools in 2025.
Tips for Parents
- Ask your child to show you. Have them teach you a lesson. Explaining helps them learn.
- Set a routine. Short daily practice, about 20 to 30 minutes, works better than long cram sessions.
- Celebrate effort. Praise persistence, not just right answers.
- Don’t panic about struggles. Mistakes are part of learning, and the program offers help when kids get stuck.
- Talk to the teacher. Ask how often your child should log in at home.
- Use the visuals. If your child is stuck, ask them to draw the model they saw in the video.
Tips for Teachers
- Use the reports. Check which students need extra help and which lessons cause trouble.
- Mix whole class and digital time. The program works best alongside live instruction.
- Celebrate badges. Simple recognition keeps students motivated.
- Set up backup logins. It saves time when portals go down.
- Use it for intervention. Many schools use it for tutoring and summer learning, too.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free options for teachers and families | Some features require paid School Accounts |
| Strong research rating | Screen time adds up for younger kids |
| Visual approach builds understanding | Some students find videos slow |
| Instant feedback and help | Works best with teacher guidance |
| Covers all K-8 standards | Login problems can happen with district portals |
How It Compares to Other Math Programs
| Program | Approach |
|---|---|
| Zearn Math | Curriculum plus digital lessons with videos and practice |
| IXL | Skill practice with adaptive questions |
| Khan Academy | Free videos and practice for many grades |
| DreamBox | Adaptive game based lessons |
| i-Ready | Diagnostic testing and personalized lessons |
Each tool has strengths. Schools often use more than one, depending on their curriculum and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free? Teachers and families can create free accounts. Schools can pay for School Accounts with more features.
What grades does it cover? Kindergarten through 8th grade.
How do students log in? With a username and password, Google, Clever, or ClassLink, depending on their school.
What should I do if my child can’t complete their Zearn login? Ask the teacher for their username and password or a backup login, and try a different browser.
Who runs the program? A nonprofit founded in 2012 by Shalinee Sharma and Evan Rudall.
Final Thoughts
The program has grown from a small nonprofit into a math program used by millions of students. Its mix of teacher led lessons, visual models, and digital practice has earned strong research support. Whether you’re a parent helping with homework or a teacher planning lessons, knowing how the program and its login options work makes math time smoother.
Key Takeaways
- Zearn is a nonprofit K-8 math program founded in 2012 by Shalinee Sharma and Evan Rudall.
- It reaches about 1 in 4 US elementary students and more than 1 million middle schoolers.
- Zearn Math combines teacher led lessons, printed notes, and digital lessons with videos and practice.
- Students can log in with a username and password, Google, Clever, or ClassLink.
- Teachers can set up a backup login to view student usernames and passwords.
- Evidence for ESSA rated the program “Strong,” and a RAND trial found significant gains.
- Families and teachers can use free accounts, while schools can buy School Accounts.
