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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 191st 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
Education M&A activity shows no sign of disappearing. It is simply becoming more disciplined. Recent transactions across K-12, language education, international student recruitment, workforce training, and school group consolidation point to a market where buyers remain active but increasingly focus on resilient enrolment, trusted brands, regulatory durability, and clear growth pathways. From ISP’s expansion in South America and Ashmore’s continued investment in Saudi education to the movement around Kaplan Languages, Kings Education, OzTREKK, and UK independent school mergers, the pattern is clear: quality education assets remain highly strategic.
For school owners, this is a market that rewards preparation, positioning, and timing. For buyers, access to credible opportunities remains the constraint. Halladay Education Group tracks private school and education transactions across North America and internationally, and we welcome confidential conversations with owners considering succession or buyers seeking acquisition opportunities.
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) PREMIER CANADIAN FILM & DIGITAL ARTS COLLEGE
SOLD
High-recognition creative media institution with programs designed and taught by award-winning industry professionals. Buyer value: differentiated curriculum, brand credibility with students and employers, and strong content-to-career alignment that supports pricing power and repeat intakes. Growth levers: program expansion in high-demand digital disciplines, partnerships with studios/employers, and scalable hybrid delivery where appropriate. Status: reviewing offers. 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
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) 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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8) 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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9) PREMIUM CANADIAN CULINARY CAREER COLLEGE
SOLD
Established Canadian culinary career college with a leading national brand, a strong domestic enrolment mix, and consistent profitability. Offers Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts diploma programs, plus Red Seal pathways. Buyer value: exceptional market standing, experienced management, a clean regulatory track record, prime campus infrastructure, and clear upside with enrolment expansion with an additional teaching kitchen. More Info
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ISP EXPANDS SOUTH AMERICAN PRESENCE WITH URUGUAY SCHOOL DEAL
Woodside School and its three campuses in Uruguay will be ISP’s first in the country.
Read more
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ASHMORE SAUDI UNVEILS SECOND ACQUISITION IN SAUDI EDUCATION SECTOR
Reflects Ashmore’s long-term commitment to bolstering the Kingdom's education sector.
Read more
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INSPIRIT CAPITAL TO ACQUIRE KAPLAN LANGUAGES GROUP
Comprises Kaplan International Languages, Alpadia Language Schools, Azurlingua, and ESL.
Read more
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STUDYIN ACQUIRES CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONSULTANCY
Strengthening the group's ANZ recruitment capabilities as it continues its global expansion.
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PIONEERING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE INVESTORS CLOSE $450M FUND
Responding to AI's impact on the labor market and address talent shortages.
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TERRINGTON HALL SCHOOL TO JOIN SEDBERGH SCHOOLS GROUP
It is intended to secure the long-term future of the North Yorkshire preparatory school.
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INTO UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS ACQUIRES KINGS EDUCATION
Welcoming Kings Education into its group joining together two sector heavyweights.
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ST GEORGE'S SCHOOLS JOIN FORCES
St George’s School Windsor Castle and nearby St George’s School Ascot are coming together.
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CARNEY GOVERNMENT PROPOSES $6B TO HIRE 100,000 NEW SKILLED TRADE WORKERS
Flagship measure, Team Canada Strong, also meant to tackle youth unemployment.
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THE THREE OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED TO MERGE WA'S UNIVERSITIES
A report analysing the benefits has been handed to the state government for consideration.
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FLORIDA'S BILLIONAIRES WANT MORE PRIVATE SCHOOLS
So they're building their own private schools for all the wealthy families streaming in.
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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