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Welcome To HEG’s Inner Circle eNews
A Bi-Weekly Recap of Essential Reading For The Private School Sector
| | Welcome to the 203rd 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 past two weeks told a clear story: the big groups are still buying, and they are buying everywhere. We saw deals land in Latin America, the Gulf, Eastern Europe, and Canada. International school groups now run 5,928 schools, more than double the 2,526 they ran in 2017, and capital is choosy about where it goes.
The other side of the ledger matters just as much. Childcare centres changed hands out of administration, a contested takeover settled only after the price went up, and large owners trimmed non-core assets. Buyers pay well for certainty and discount hard for surprises. AI is now a deal driver too, with buyers adding coaching, workforce and math platforms.
This is exactly why HEG follows these deals so closely. We track them so our clients know where value is headed and can time their transactions accordingly. For owners, clean financials, lease certainty, and regulatory standing still shape valuation. For buyers, groups are centralizing approvals, so integration planning matters as much as price.
Considering a sale, merger, acquisition or recapitalization? Email info@HalladayEducationGroup.com to set up a confidential 30-minute call. Then have a look at this edition’s Featured Opportunities below.
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1) 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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2) MULTI-CAMPUS WESTERN CANADIAN HEALTH / WELLNESS / BEAUTY CAREER COLLEGE PLATFORM
REVIEWING OFFERS
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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3) 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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4) PROFITABLE ACCREDITED SPECIAL EDUCATION PRIVATE SCHOOL + LEARNING SERVICES (SOUTHEASTERN U.S.)
A profitable, established private school in the high-demand special education market, serving students with learning differences. An accredited elementary and middle day school is paired with a fee-based learning services program that earns year-round revenue beyond tuition. FY27F: ~$4.7M revenue and ~155 students, with normalized EBITDA of ~$470K (FY24-FY26 avg) growing to ~$560K at ~12% margins. The campus is leased, keeping the model asset-light, and the real estate may be available to acquire. Strong retention, exceptional parent satisfaction and state scholarship eligibility support durable enrollment, with clear upside in summer and specialist services. More Info
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5) 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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6) THREE-COLLEGE CAREER EDUCATION GROUP (WESTERN CANADA)
A diversified platform of three established, provincially licensed career colleges across two Western Canadian provinces. Each operates under its own brand and offers programs in business, healthcare, hospitality, and beauty. FY25 operating revenue was $5.4M, with Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2M, matching the FY24-25 average. Management forecasts FY26F revenue of $6.6M and Adjusted EBITDA of $2.2M (a 34% margin), rising to $7.1M and $2.5M, respectively, in FY27F. Starts are expected to increase from about 490 to 580 in FY26F. The four-sector program mix limits reliance on any single sector, while student-aid eligibility supports enrollment. The colleges operate from leased campuses with room to grow, and an experienced operating team will lead after closing. Growth will come from filling capacity, pricing, and adding programs. MORE INFO TO FOLLOW
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OFG EDUCATION ACQUIRES CROWN AMERICAN PRIVATE SCHOOL IN AJMAN
Expands the UK-based education group’s UAE presence amid rising private-school enrolment.
Read more
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INSPIRED WELCOMES COLEGIO BILINGUE BALTICO TO ITS GLOBAL GROUP
Inspired announces the partnership, strengthening its presence across Latin America.
Read more
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CRIMSON LANDS $35.5M KIP MCGRATH TAKEOVER AFTER BOARD DROPS OPPOSITION
The Kip McGrath board, had earlier urged shareholders to reject the bid, now recommends.
Read more
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£41M SALE OF ACADEMY SCHOOL IN UK
Unite Group PLC has exchanged contracts for the sale of the academy school at Hawthorne House.
Read more
NIDO EDUCATION TO BUY CHILDCARE CENTRES FROM EDGE EARLY LEARNING GROUP
Childcare group Nido Education is scooping up nine centres operated by the embattled Edge Early Learning.
Read more
GERMANY'S KLETT ENTERS ROMANIA'S PRIVATE SCHOOL MARKET
The education group acquired a significant minority stake in Bucharest-based Equilibrum Educațional.
Read more
PRETTY RIVER ACADENY SOLD TO MAPLE BEAR GLOBAL SCHOOLS FOR $6.4M
Company plans to invest $2 million more to bring back high school programming.
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TRAVELOPIA AGREES TO SELL STUDENT TRAVEL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE EDUCATION
Experience Education comprises six specialist brands.
Read more
MCGRAW HILL ACQUIRES TEACHFX
Expanding Commitment to Great Teaching with AI Coaching Tool Designed by Educators.
Read more
FUEL150 ENTERS ITS NEXT CHAPTER AS ACQUISITION BY PHOENIX EDUCATION CLOSES
Fuel50 continues as a distinct business under its own brand.
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ADVTECH TAKES STAKE IN AI MATHS PLATFORM ITS PUPILS USE
Partnership with MathU gives the group exclusivity over AI-enhanced learning tools in all markets.
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OVER 650 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GROUPS NOW OPERATING WORLDWIDE
Rapid growth over the past decade - and how this is changing the management of schools.
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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