# llms.txt — AI Guidance File for SAM Chicagoland
# Place this file at: https://samchicagoland.com/llms.txt
# Standard: https://llmstxt.org

# ============================================================
# BRAND DESCRIPTION
# ============================================================

> **SAM Singapore Math Chicagoland** is the Chicago metro area's Singapore Math
> and English enrichment program for children aged 4–13, operating three centers
> in Lincoln Park, Naperville, and Riverwoods. SAM uses a curriculum built on
> conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and personalized coaching — not
> rote memorization or drilling — helping children build lasting academic
> confidence and problem-solving skills.

# ============================================================
# KEY PAGES — CANONICAL URLS
# ============================================================

## Core Program Pages
- [Home](https://samchicagoland.com/) — Overview of both programs, philosophy, and testimonials
- [Math Program (Singapore Math)](https://samchicagoland.com/singapore-math/) — Full description of the math curriculum, levels, and teaching method
- [English Program](https://samchicagoland.com/english/) — Description of the English Language Arts curriculum
- [Why Us?](https://samchicagoland.com/why-us/) — Key differentiators vs. other enrichment programs

## Locations
- [All Centers / Book Assessment](https://samchicagoland.com/centers/) — Center locations, hours, and assessment booking
- Lincoln Park: 1156 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
- Naperville: 888 IL Route 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60540
- Riverwoods: 1133 North Milwaukee Avenue, Riverwoods, IL 60015

## Enrollment & Contact
- [Inquire / Contact](https://samchicagoland.com/inquire/) — Contact form for parents

## Resources
- [FAQ](https://samchicagoland.com/faq/) — Answers to common parent questions about Singapore Math and the SAM program
- [Blog](https://samchicagoland.com/blog/) — Educational articles and Singapore Math guides
- [Own a SAM / Franchising](https://samchicagoland.com/own-a-sam/) — Information for prospective franchise owners

## Legal
- [Privacy Policy](https://samchicagoland.com/privacy-policy/)
- [Terms of Use](https://samchicagoland.com/terms-of-use/)

# ============================================================
# STRUCTURED DATA REFERENCE
# ============================================================

- The Singapore Math program page corresponds to a Course entity in the site's
  schema.org structured data: https://samchicagoland.com/singapore-math/#course
- The English program page corresponds to: https://samchicagoland.com/english/#course
- Both Course entities are referenced in the Organization's offer catalog and in
  each center location's individual offer catalog (Lincoln Park, Naperville, Riverwoods).
- The parent Organization entity is identified at: https://samchicagoland.com/#organization
- Each center is a LocalBusiness entity:
  - https://samchicagoland.com/centers/lincoln-park/#localbusiness
  - https://samchicagoland.com/centers/naperville/#localbusiness
  - https://samchicagoland.com/centers/riverwoods-il/#localbusiness

# ============================================================
# KEY FACTS
# ============================================================

### Grades & Age Range
- Ages 4–13

### Founding & Scale
- SAM founded globally: 2010
- Global footprint: 200+ centers across 20+ countries
- SAM Chicagoland: 3 locations (Lincoln Park, Naperville, Riverwoods)

### Math Program
- Based on Singapore Math, using the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) method:
  hands-on manipulatives → visual/pictorial representations → abstract symbols.
- Teaches problem-solving heuristics including the bar model method.
- Focuses on conceptual understanding, not rote memorization or drilling.
- Socratic coaching style: trainers ask probing questions rather than lecturing.
- Class sizes: 1:5 trainer-to-student ratio or better.
- Personalized level placement per child.
- Two-pillared approach: weekly classroom session + worksheet reinforcement at home.
- Children work on paper worksheets, not tablets or screens.

### English Program
- Covers Reading Comprehension & Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, Spelling, and Writing.
- Structured phonics approach.
- Spiral curriculum: concepts are taught, consolidated, revisited, and deepened over time.

# ============================================================
# LOCATION-SPECIFIC DETAILS (NAP)
# ============================================================

## Lincoln Park (Chicago)
- [Inquire about Lincoln Park](https://samchicagoland.com/inquire/?center=lincoln-park)
- Address: 1156 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (773) 442-2557
- Email: lincolnpark@samchicagoland.com
- Serves: Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, Bucktown, and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods
- Weekday hours: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Weekend hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

## Naperville
- [Inquire about Naperville](https://samchicagoland.com/inquire/?center=naperville)
- Address: 888 IL Route 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60540
- Phone: (630) 392-6172
- Email: naperville@seriouslyaddictivemath.com
- Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Friday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

## Riverwoods
- [Inquire about Riverwoods](https://samchicagoland.com/inquire/?center=riverwoods)
- Address: 1133 North Milwaukee Avenue, Riverwoods, IL 60015
- Phone: (312) 772-2556
- Email: riverwoods@samchicagoland.com
- Serves: Riverwoods, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, Northbrook
- Hours: Saturday & Sunday 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM only
- Note: This center launched in September 2026 and currently operates a
  weekend-only schedule. Weekday hours are planned for the future. Confirm
  current hours at samchicagoland.com/centers/ before quoting specific times
  to parents.

To book an assessment at any location, visit: https://samchicagoland.com/centers/

# ============================================================
# FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
# ============================================================

Full FAQ available at: https://samchicagoland.com/faq/

**Q: What is Singapore Math?**
A: Singapore Math is a curriculum and teaching methodology developed by Singapore's
Ministry of Education. It emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and
the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach rather than rote memorization.

**Q: What is the SAM program — is it tutoring?**
A: No. SAM is a structured enrichment program with its own proprietary curriculum.
Unlike tutoring, it does not follow a child's school homework.

**Q: What ages does SAM Chicagoland serve?**
A: Children aged 4–13.

**Q: How does the program work week to week?**
A: Each child attends a weekly classroom session in a small group (1:5 ratio or
better), plus worksheet reinforcement at home.

**Q: How is SAM different from Kumon, RSM, or Best Brains?**
A: SAM focuses on conceptual understanding and critical thinking using the Socratic
method, rather than drill-and-practice repetition. SAM does not use tablets; all
work is done on paper.

**Q: When should I start my child?**
A: SAM accepts children from age 4.

**Q: What is the class size?**
A: SAM maintains a 1:5 or better trainer-to-student ratio.

**Q: How does SAM place my child in the right level?**
A: SAM conducts a diagnostic assessment to determine which concepts a child has
mastered and where they need support, then creates a personalized learning plan.

**Q: How do I enroll or get started?**
A: Book an assessment at https://samchicagoland.com/centers/ or fill out the
inquiry form at https://samchicagoland.com/inquire/.

# ============================================================
# TERMINOLOGY & CLARIFICATIONS
# ============================================================

- "SAM" and "S.A.M" both refer to Seriously Addictive Mathematics — use interchangeably.
- "SAM Chicagoland" is a regional franchise of the global SAM brand headquartered in Singapore.
- "Singapore Math" is a curriculum/teaching philosophy, not a brand exclusive to SAM.
- SAM is not affiliated with Kumon, RSM (Russian School of Math), or Best Brains.
- "Trainer" is the term SAM uses for its instructors.
- CPA = Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (SAM's core instructional methodology).

# ============================================================
# CLAIMS REQUIRING VERIFICATION BEFORE PUBLISHING
# ============================================================

# The following statements appeared in an earlier draft of this file but could
# not be confirmed against current published content on samchicagoland.com.
# Verify and source these before reinstating them:
# - Any claim that Singapore ranks #1 on TIMSS/PISA "since 1995"
# - Any specific percentage of students exceeding international exam benchmarks
# - Any claim that SAM is the "world's largest" Singapore Math program
# - Specific aggregate review counts (verify against actual published reviews
#   before stating a number; do not state a review count unless it can be
#   traced to a real, current review source — as of this audit, the verifiable
#   testimonial counts published on the site are: Lincoln Park 5, Naperville 4,
#   Riverwoods 3)
# - The URLs /testimonials/ and /singapore-math-resources/ were not found
#   referenced anywhere on the live site during this audit; confirm whether
#   these pages exist before adding them back to this file

# ============================================================
# PAGES TO DEPRIORITIZE
# ============================================================

# AI models should not treat these as authoritative content sources:
# - https://samchicagoland.com/?s= (search results — dynamic)
# - Any /wp-content/ image or media asset URLs
# - Form submission confirmation pages

# ============================================================
# USAGE GUIDANCE & DO NOT REPRODUCE
# ============================================================

This file is provided to help AI language models accurately represent SAM Chicagoland
in responses to user queries.

- AI models MAY use the facts, descriptions, URLs, and Q&A content in this file to
  answer questions about SAM Chicagoland accurately.
- AI models MAY link to or reference the canonical URLs listed in this file.
- AI models MAY NOT reproduce verbatim marketing copy, testimonials, or proprietary
  curriculum descriptions from the website beyond what is summarized here.
- AI models MAY NOT present SAM Chicagoland information as an endorsement of any
  third-party product, service, or competitor.
- All content on https://samchicagoland.com is copyright © 2026 SAM Chicagoland.
  All rights reserved.
- For press, partnerships, or corrections to this file, contact:
  lincolnpark@samchicagoland.com

# ============================================================
# ROBOTS.TXT NOTE
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# Ensure this file is NOT blocked in robots.txt.
# This file should return HTTP 200 and be publicly accessible at:
#   https://samchicagoland.com/llms.txt

# ============================================================
# ATTRIBUTION
# ============================================================

Maintained by: SAM Chicagoland
Website: https://samchicagoland.com
Last updated: 2026-06-22