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Welcome To HEG’s Inner Circle eNews
A Bi-Weekly Recap of Essential Reading For The Private School Sector
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Welcome to the 194th edition of HEG’s Inner Circle Private School eNews, where Halladay Education Group shares key insights into the latest investment activity shaping the global private education sector.
HEG MARKET INTELLIGENCE
The private education sector is in the middle of a remarkable run of deal-making, happening in nearly every market at once. In recent weeks, Cadence Education crossed 350 schools across the United States with its purchase of Especially for Children in Minnesota, and Dukes Education planted its flag in North America with a Canadian acquisition it calls the first step in a larger push. Inspired Education welcomed new campuses in Grand Cayman and Mexico. Nord Anglia added the International School of Kuala Lumpur. GEMS Education announced a Dh2 billion plan to add 20,000 student seats in Dubai. Even universities are feeling it, with a growing number of UK institutions weighing mergers.
If you own a private school, a career college, or a language institute, the headlines all say the same thing. Buyers are active, capital is available, and good schools are changing hands. But the announcements never show you what came first. Every one of those closed deals had to survive the stretch that quietly ends more sales than price ever does, the ninety days between a signed letter of intent and a final closing.
If you're weighing a sale, merger, acquisition, or recapitalization in 2026, assess your positioning before the process starts. Let's schedule a confidential 30-minute call to benchmark your institution against current buyer criteria and identify the value drivers that shape valuation and deal certainty. Reach out for a discreet discussion. Reach out to us for a discreet discussion.
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1) REPUTABLE & PROFITABLE K-12 DAY & INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL (EASTERN CANADA)
SIGNED LOI
Established co-ed school with 50+ years of history, 300+ students, and near-100% university placement. FY26F: $8.2M revenue / $2.0M adjusted EBITDAR. Well-located, multi-site urban campus with ~63% enrollment growth capacity. Buyer value: durable brand, outcomes-driven positioning, diversified delivery (day + boarding), and clear pathway to scale with measured capex and enrollment management. More Info
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2) NURSING & HEALTHCARE CAREER COLLEGE GROUP IN WESTERN CANADA
SIGNED LOI
Market-leading, multi-campus healthcare education platform. FY25 anchors at $14.5M in revenue and $3.4M in EBITDA (23% margin), scaling asset-light to $19.3M and $5.9M by FY27F (30% margin), demonstrating strong earnings momentum and growth visibility. Programs include Practical Nursing (LPN) and allied health. Underwriting rests on: (i) approved programs with domestic financial-eligibility status, (ii) defensible practicum access, and (iii) predominantly domestic tuition revenues. More Info
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3) MARKET-LEADING CANADIAN MASSAGE THERAPY COLLEGE
SOLD
Western Canada platform with 30+ years of operations and strong graduate outcomes. FY25F: $2.0M revenue / $380K EBITDA (18%), scaling to $2.7M / $771K (29%) by FY28F. 100% domestic enrollment, regulatory protection, and a trusted brand. Buyer value: recession-resilient demand, strong cash flow, and 2x EBITDA growth through capacity, scheduling, and program optimization. More Info
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4) PREMIUM EUROPEAN SUMMER CAMP PLATFORM
Project Alpine: 50+ years, 350,000 alumni, and participants from 60 countries. FY26F: US$7.2M revenue / $1.2M EBITDA. Buyer value: brand equity, high-margin enrollments, multi-country programming, and repeat/cross-sell potential across channels. Growth levers include extended seasons, new locations, and structured partnerships. More Info
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5) U.S. FOR-PROFIT K-12 BUYER (VOUCHER/ESA STATES)
Global operator seeking acquisitions of for-profit day schools in voucher/ESA markets. Target: $500K–$5M EBITDA, strong academics, and clear growth. Flexible deal structures, including real estate options, are suitable for single sites or small groups. Priority: FL, TX, AZ, GA (plus IN, IA, OH, NC, UT, WV, AL, LA, OK, NH, TN). Confidential, founder-friendly, proven integration. More info
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6) PROFITABLE TRANSPORT CANADA–APPROVED FTU + AVIATION CAREER COLLEGE (WESTERN CANADA)
Scaled, asset-backed aviation training platform: Transport Canada–approved FTU within a provincially accredited career college with DLI and Student Aid eligibility. FY26F: $3.45M revenue, ~335 students, normalized EBITDA ~$910K (FY24–FY25F avg), expanding to ~$1.05M at 30%+ margins. Leased airside campus; 11-aircraft fleet (~$2.6M), simulator, and maintenance operations create a defensible regulatory/operating moat. More Info
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7) MULTI-CAMPUS WESTERN CANADIAN HEALTH / WELLNESS / BEAUTY CAREER COLLEGE PLATFORM
Scaled multi-campus Western Canadian career college group with substantial healthcare exposure and FY26F projected EBITDA of about $2.6M on $6.6M of revenue. The platform combines domestic demand, practical employer-aligned training, and a capacity-ready multi-campus footprint that supports further margin expansion. Growth opportunities include adding cohorts, selective program expansion, pricing optimization, and increased utilization of clinics and salons. More Info.
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AFFINITAS EDUCATION ACQUIRES ALMADA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Marking the group's first entry into the Portuguese independent education market.
Read more
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CADENCE EDUCATION EXPANDS TWIN CITY PRESENCE
With acquisition of Especially for Children deepens access to early childhood education.
Read more
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INSPIRED EDUCATION WELCOMES ISLAND PRIMARY AND ISLAND MONTESSORI
Marking a significant step in its expansion across Grand Cayman and the Caribbean.
Read more
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HCA HEALTHCARE TO ACQUIRE COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS
A deal to acquire a key medical imaging training institute and its parent company.
Read more
DUKES EDUCATION'S CANADA SCHOOL BUY IS START OF NORTH AMERICAN PUSH
Founder tells Tes he hopes to emulate the group’s European success in the US and Canada.
Read more
INSPIRED EDUCATION EXPANDS WITH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF QUERETARO
The addition of ISQ to its global group of premium schools, further strengthens its presence in Mexico.
Read more
NORD ANGLIA ACQUIRES SECOND SCHOOL IN MALAYSIA
Mont’Kiara International School, an IB school, will join the British International School of Kuala Lumpur.
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WELCOMING WOODLANDS SCHOOL TO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Woodlands School in Montevideo, Uruguay, strengthens ISP’s growing presence in South America.
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GLOBAL SCHOOLS GROUP TO LAUNCH HEALTH HOUSE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Brings the 30-year heritage of Heath House, founded in London in 1993, to the Singapore market.
Read more
BRYANSTON ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO ACQUIRE THORNGROVE SCHOOL
Thorngrove School, an independent prep school located on the Hampshire and Berkshire border.
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GEMS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INVEST Dh2 BILLION TO CREATE 20,000 NEW STUDENT SEATS
The expansion reflects strong confidence in Dubai's demand for private education.
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MORE UK UNIVERSITIES CONSIDER MERGERS OR ACQUISITIONS
Two in five UK universities are open as mounting financial pressures drive push for efficiency.
Read more
| | ABOUT HEG’S M&A ADVISORY SERVICES | | |
Halladay Education Group (HEG) is a premier M&A advisory firm specializing exclusively in the private education sector across North America and internationally. With over 30 years of experience, HEG has successfully led the sale, acquisition, and recapitalization of a diverse range of educational institutions, including K-12 private schools, boarding and Montessori schools, early childhood centers, ESL programs, career colleges, and higher education platforms.
We are a trusted advisor to private equity firms, institutional investors, operators, and family offices pursuing strategic growth, as well as school owners seeking full or partial exits. Backed by deep sector expertise, an extensive proprietary database of qualified buyers, and full-cycle transaction support, HEG has earned a reputation as one of the most active and respected firms in the field. To confidentially discuss your institution’s strategic options—whether a sale, merger, acquisition, or financing—and how emerging trends may impact your outlook, contact us at 1-800-687-1402. Please view our Corporate Brochure.
info@halladayeducationgroup.com | 1-800-687-1492 | www.buyingandsellingschools.com
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