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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 192nd 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 school M&A market is sending a clear message: buyer interest remains active, but capital is becoming more selective. Recent transactions indicate a shift from one-off school acquisitions to platform-building, portfolio reshaping, and investment in education-adjacent services.
Well-capitalized groups are expanding into attractive international markets. Larger operators are pruning non-core assets. Investors are closely evaluating schools and education businesses with durable enrollment demand, strong leadership, defensible positioning, and clear room for operational improvement.
For owners, the takeaway is straightforward: timing matters, but preparation matters more. Clean financials, management depth, lease certainty, regulatory standing, and a credible growth story can materially affect buyer interest, valuation, and deal structure.
For buyers, opportunity remains, but discipline is essential. The best assets will not look cheap, and underperforming schools will need a clear turnaround thesis, not just a lower price.
At Halladay Education Group, we track these market signals closely across private schools, career colleges, language schools, and education platforms. For owners, boards, and investors considering succession, growth, acquisition, or a potential sale, the right conversation often starts well before a formal process begins.
Call To Action: If you’re considering a sale, merger, acquisition, or recapitalization in 2026, now is the time to assess your positioning before the process begins. Let’s schedule a confidential 30-minute call to benchmark your institution against current buyer criteria and identify the value drivers that influence valuation and deal certainty. Reach out to us for a discreet discussion.
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FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES
1) REPUTABLE & PROFITABLE K-12 DAY & INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL (EASTERN CANADA)
REVIEWING OFFER
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) 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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3) MARKET-LEADING CANADIAN MASSAGE THERAPY COLLEGE
SIGNED LOI
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) NURSING & HEALTHCARE CAREER COLLEGE GROUP IN WESTERN CANADA
REVIEWING OFFER
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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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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CLIP OPORTO INTERNATIONAL JOINS DUKES EDUCATION
Strengthening its commitment to high-quality international education in Portugal.
Read more
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COGNITA SELLS FOUR MORE UK SCHOOLS TO REDSHIFT EDUCATION
Salcombe Prep, Glenesk School, Colchester Prep and High, King's School Plymouth are being sold.
Read more
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STUDY GROUP HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY ARETE EDUCATION
The higher education venture backed by GUS and Brightstar Capital Partners.
Read more
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APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW CONSIDERS MERGER WITH UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE
School officials hope the partnership could alleviate the law school’s financial woes.
Read more
CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS TO FORM THREE CHOIRS SCHOOL GROUP
Hereford Cathedral School and The King’s Schools in Gloucester and Worcester join.
Read more
OPERAM ACQUIRES CHOICES TEACHERS
UK education recruitment specialist Operam announced that it acquired Choice Teachers.
Read more
BRIGHTSTAR CAPITAL PARTNERS INVESTS IN BENDON
A provider of screen-free children’s activity products.
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DUKES EDUCATION WELCOMES COLEGIO JULIO DINIS IN PORTUGAL
CJD was founded in 1934, making it one of the oldest independent schools.
Read more
INSTRUCTURE PAYS RANSOM TO CANVASS HACKERS
Instructure says the cyber-criminals have returned the hacked personal data.
Read more
DEVELOPER OF EDUCATION TOOLS CANVAS ISSUES APOLOGY AFTER HACK
Canvas developer says app remains safe to use.
Read more
A BILLION-DOLLAR COMPANY JUST BOUGHT A SCHOOL BY TAKING ON ITS DEBTS
Crimson Education, founded as a university admissions coaching service, now owns a school.
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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