Renaissance Acquires KeyPhonics

Blackstone Invests in Renaissance Learning

November 9, 2021

Education

Private equity funds managed by Blackstone will make a significant equity investment in Renaissance, the pre-K–12 edtech leader, alongside existing investors including Francisco Partners and TPG’s The Rise Fund. The capital will be used to accelerate organic growth, product innovation, and support Renaissance’s ongoing acquisition strategy while Francisco Partners remains a major shareholder.

Renaissance (Blackstone / Francisco Partners) Acquires GL Education from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

February 21, 2023

Education

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has agreed to sell its portfolio company GL Education (GL Assessment), a London-based provider of formative assessments, to Renaissance — a portfolio company owned by Blackstone Group and Francisco Partners. The deal, intended to further position Renaissance as a global education leader and expand its assessment capabilities, is expected to close by the end of Q1 2023; financial terms were not disclosed.

Imagine Learning Acquires EarlyBird Early Literacy Screener

November 13, 2024

Education

Imagine Learning has acquired EarlyBird, a game-based dyslexia screener and early literacy assessment for PreK–Grade 3 students. The acquisition integrates EarlyBird's adaptive screening and real-time educator dashboard into Imagine Learning's assessment and intervention portfolio to strengthen early literacy identification and targeted instruction.

K12 Coalition Acquires Keys to Literacy and Professional Development Institute

October 14, 2025

Education

K12 Coalition has acquired Keys to Literacy (KTL) and Professional Development Institute (PDI), expanding its portfolio of K–12 professional learning, literacy curriculum, and teacher development solutions. The deal brings Keys to Literacy’s evidence-based programs (in 500+ districts) and PDI’s 380,000+ teacher enrollments into K12 Coalition’s single, outcomes-driven ecosystem to scale professional development and support district partners.

Newsela Acquires Formative

June 27, 2023

Education

Newsela has acquired Formative to combine its K-12 instructional content library with Formative’s real-time assessment and data capabilities, creating a more comprehensive instructional solution for teachers and administrators. The deal brings together Newsela’s 15,000+ content library and Formative’s assessment platform (used by over four million students) effective immediately to enable faster feedback, targeted intervention, and improved student outcomes.

95 Percent Group Acquires Tools 4 Reading

February 22, 2023

Education

95 Percent Group, a portfolio company of Leeds Equity Partners, announced the acquisition of Tools 4 Reading, a provider of Science of Reading-aligned professional learning and classroom resources. The add-on expands 95 Percent Group's phonics ecosystem and professional development offerings to support schools' transition to structured literacy; terms were not disclosed.