Education Acquisitions in Massachusetts

LearnWell, a U.S.-based provider of K-12 academic continuity and mental/behavioral health services, received a growth investment from the Sustainable Investing business at Goldman Sachs Alternatives to accelerate growth and expand its service footprint. The capital will support scaling LearnWell’s integrated in-school and virtual offerings; the company serves thousands of school districts through a team of educators and therapists and was previously backed by 424 Capital.

PlayVS has acquired Vanta Esports, adding roughly 3,000 K–12 schools to its scholastic and collegiate gaming network and integrating Vanta’s coaching-led esports platform and events into the PlayVS ecosystem. Financial terms were not disclosed; the deal strengthens PlayVS’s coaching, education-aligned programming, and presence in states including Texas and Hawaii.

RiverGlade Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity firm, has formed a partnership with Custom Learning Designs (CLD), a Belmont, Massachusetts-based provider of technology-enabled sales training for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Terms were not disclosed; CLD’s CEO Donna Kilcoyne will remain in place and the management team will continue to run day-to-day operations as RiverGlade supports the company’s organic growth and strategic M&A plans.

Infinedi Partners' portfolio company CEA CAPA Education Abroad has completed the acquisition of CIS Abroad, CISaustralia, and Barcelona SAE from parent company Global Educators. The deal expands CEA CAPA's global footprint and program offerings—bringing an additional ~4,000 students annually into a combined platform that now serves more than 15,000 students across dozens of countries and study centers.

zSpace, a developer of AR/VR educational hardware and software, has acquired BlocksCAD, a browser-based 3D design platform for STEM education. The acquisition will integrate BlocksCAD's modeling tools into zSpace's immersive learning ecosystem to expand hands-on STEM learning and project-based experiences for K-12 educators and students.

The Riverside Company has acquired Wall Street Prep (WSP) from Eden Capital Management. Riverside will partner with WSP’s existing leadership to scale the company’s financial training offerings, expand its geographic footprint, and accelerate product and market growth; financial terms were not disclosed.

Adaptive Reader, an education-technology platform focused on reading accessibility, closed an oversubscribed pre-seed round led by Updraft Education Group with participation from Transcend Fund, WJG Investments and several education industry executives. The funding will accelerate the company’s expansion of multilingual and leveled text offerings, publisher partnerships, print-on-demand capabilities, and its AI-powered platform.

Cengage Group has acquired Visible Body, a provider of interactive 3D anatomy and science visualization software, to enhance its science offerings across higher education and K–12. The deal will integrate Visible Body’s 3D models and AR/mixed-reality experiences into Cengage’s course materials and platforms to deepen learner engagement and expand product capabilities. Vicksburg Capital Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to Visible Body on the transaction.

Colibri Group, a St. Louis–based professional education company backed by Gridiron Capital, has acquired Boston Institute of Finance (BIF), a Newton, Massachusetts provider of CFP education and wealth management exam-prep programs. The deal, which closed January 2, 2025, expands Colibri's financial education portfolio and capabilities across licensing, exam preparation, and professional development for financial advisors and planners.

Aspen Publishing, a subsidiary of UWorld, has acquired full ownership of JD-Next, the law school preparation course and alternative admissions exam developed by University of Arizona researchers. The acquisition follows a year in which Aspen held an exclusive license to administer the program and will enable further investment, technology development, and expansion of JD-Next to additional law schools and students nationwide.

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.

Wilson Language Training acquired Vivido, the instructional design and professional development firm founded by Dr. Bonnie Singer, to integrate Vivido’s writing and language training into Wilson’s evidence-based literacy curriculum. The deal expands Wilson’s professional development and assessment offerings for K-12 educators, strengthening its end-to-end reading and writing solutions.

U.S. News & World Report has acquired TeenLife, an online discovery platform for experiential learning opportunities for students in grades 7–12. TeenLife will join U.S. News's CollegeAdvisor division to expand student-facing resources and integrate TeenLife's directory, guides and virtual events with CollegeAdvisor's admissions support offerings.

L Squared Capital Partners has agreed to acquire TeachTown from Bain Capital Double Impact; financial terms were not disclosed. L Squared will partner with TeachTown's management to invest in product development and accelerate the company's impact serving students with moderate to severe learning challenges; TeachTown is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts and supports more than 100,000 students.

Imagine Learning, a Tempe-based K–12 digital curriculum provider, has acquired CueThink, a Boston-based AI-powered problem-solving and collaboration platform for K–12 math. The acquisition will integrate CueThink’s AI-driven pedagogy and collaborative workflows into Imagine Learning’s curriculum offerings to enhance critical thinking, formative assessment, and social learning across math and other disciplines.

Keystone Partners, a portfolio company of Silver Oak Services Partners LLC, has acquired the Center for Executive Coaching (CEC), a provider of executive coach certification and training. The acquisition expands Keystone's leadership development and outplacement offerings by adding CEC's certification programs, distance-learning capabilities, and alumni/recertification services.

UWorld, LLC has acquired Aspen Publishing from Transom Capital Group. The deal transfers Aspen's legal education textbooks and digital learning solutions to UWorld, expanding UWorld's portfolio into the law-school market and continuing Transom's exit from the investment.

Shamrock Capital has acquired Carnegie Dartlet Holdings, LLC, a Westford, Massachusetts–based higher education enrollment marketing and strategy firm. The investment represents an exit for New Heritage Capital; Carnegie — with ~390 employees and more than 750 higher-education clients — will partner with Shamrock to pursue further organic and inorganic growth and expand its enrollment-marketing capabilities.

Avathon Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on education and workforce investments, has acquired Magical Beginnings Learning Centers, a Massachusetts-based network of seven early childhood education centers operating in the Greater Boston area. Avathon named Mark Donovan as CEO, formed a new board chaired by Sarah Clabby, and the founder Linda Hassapis Bonfanti will move to a board director role as part of the transaction.

Youth Enrichment Brands (YEB), the Roark Capital-backed youth activities platform headquartered in San Rafael, California, has acquired School of Rock, the performance-based music education franchisor and operator. The deal brings School of Rock’s more than 500 schools and 180,000+ students into the YEB network as an add-on to expand YEB’s music education capabilities and accelerate growth; Sterling Partners exited as seller.

Meazure Learning, a Gryphon Investors-backed provider of test development and delivery solutions, has acquired Examity, a leading online proctoring company, from Great Hill Partners. Great Hill will retain a minority stake alongside Gryphon, Eastside Partners, and members of management; the deal expands Meazure's proctoring capacity, security capabilities, and global footprint.

ZRG has acquired The Registry, a Peabody, Massachusetts–based interim executive solutions and membership organization that places interim senior leaders at colleges and universities. The Registry—whose membership exceeds 1,000 and which has made more than 1,200 placements at over 500 institutions—will expand ZRG's higher education talent offerings; ZRG is PE-backed by RFE Investment Partners.

3STEP Sports has acquired Aztec Soccer Club, a New England–based youth soccer organization, adding the club to its growing soccer vertical. The acquisition expands 3STEP’s footprint in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and brings Aztec’s coaching, teams and player-development programs into 3STEP’s national youth-sports platform.

Highlights for Children, a global family media and education brand, has acquired Tinkergarten, a provider of research-backed, play-based outdoor learning for children aged six months to eight years. The acquisition expands Highlights' early childhood education offerings and leverages Tinkergarten's tech-enabled network of teachers and curriculum to reach more families nationwide.

Carnegie (Carnegie Dartlet LLC), a PE-backed higher education marketing and enrollment strategy firm, has acquired CLARUS Corporation, a specialist in community college marketing. The deal expands Carnegie’s capabilities in community college enrollment marketing and integrates CLARUS’s digital, brand, and research services into Carnegie’s broader higher-education offerings; Carnegie is backed by New Heritage Capital, which remains the platform sponsor.

3STEP Sports, the nation’s largest youth sports club and event operator, has acquired BEST FC Soccer Club, a Massachusetts-based youth soccer organization founded by Maria and Paul Mumby. BEST FC — which grew from summer camps into a year-round club with roughly 30+ teams and community programs — will be integrated into 3STEP’s soccer division as the company expands its club network and youth development footprint.

Emler Swim School acquired Little Flippers Swim School (including the Planet Gymnastics movement center) on October 13, 2022, adding two Massachusetts locations (Natick and Winchester) to its portfolio. The acquisition expands Emler’s footprint to 38 facilities across seven states and aligns two mission-driven organizations focused on child water safety and youth movement education; founders Sally and Edward Poveromo are selling and staff were invited to remain.

Prometric LLC has completed the acquisition of Boston-based Finetune, an AI-assisted assessment and learning technology provider. The deal adds Finetune’s NLP-powered content generation and classification products to Prometric’s assessment and testing platform to accelerate content creation and expand Prometric’s capabilities in credentialing, licensure, workforce readiness and education markets.

Alpine Investors has acquired FEV Tutor, a leading K-12 online tutoring and EdTech services provider, in a deal with undisclosed terms. Alpine will install Jim Tormey (from its CEO-in-Residence program) as CEO while FEV co-founders Anirudh Baheti and Ryan Patenaude remain in leadership as the firm helps scale FEV's reach to disadvantaged K-12 students and invest in its products and teams.

Carnegie, a New Heritage Capital portfolio company, has acquired Maguire Associates to integrate Maguire's financial aid optimization and enrollment analytics capabilities into Carnegie’s student search and full-service enrollment marketing offerings. The acquisition expands Carnegie’s data science and modeling capabilities to better serve colleges and universities and bolsters its psychometrics and research team.

Pluribus Technologies Corp. (TSXV: PLRB) acquired all outstanding shares of Knowledge Strategies Inc., doing business as Tortal Training, a Woburn, Massachusetts–based eLearning and LMS provider. The deal (announced under a May 16, 2022 share purchase agreement) was paid in cash and Pluribus common shares with an additional earn-out, and is intended to strengthen Pluribus' eLearning capabilities and create cross-selling opportunities across its portfolio under The Learning Network banner.

University Instructors LLC, a Public Consulting Group (PCG) company, has acquired PrepForward, a provider of online K-12 teacher certification preparation and professional development. The acquisition brings PrepForward’s self-paced courses and expertise into UI/PCG’s portfolio to expand teacher preparation, licensure pathways, and professional development offerings for school districts, universities, and state education agencies.

Certain affiliates of Veritas Capital have acquired Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) in a $21-per-share tender offer that implied an equity value of approximately $2.8 billion. HMH will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veritas, with CEO Jack Lynch and the current management team remaining in place, and Veritas intends to accelerate HMH's digital transformation and expand its market-leading K‑12 digital offerings.

Alpine Investors has formed a partnership with Wilson Language Training to accelerate Wilson's mission of 'Literacy for All.' Terms were not disclosed; Wilson co-founders Barbara and Edward Wilson will remain significant equity owners and continue in leadership roles while Alpine provides capital and operational support to scale the company's programs and professional learning services.

Transom Capital Group acquired Wolters Kluwer's U.S. Legal Education business and the business will operate as Aspen Publishing, a provider of casebooks, study aids and digital learning tools for law schools and students. Transom will invest in product innovation and growth, partnering with Aspen management to expand digital learning and institutional solutions.

New York-based private equity firm Eden Capital has acquired Wall Street Prep, a Brookline, Massachusetts-based financial training firm; the transaction is supported by financing and a minority co-investment from Capital Southwest Corporation and participation from Main Street Capital. Eden plans to expand Wall Street Prep’s global reach and deepen its content and technical capabilities to serve corporate, university, and individual customers.

Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG) acquired the TeachersConnect educator social network and the Grab and Grow learning community from Great Teachers, Inc., with founder David Meyers joining PCG to help develop an expanded TeachersConnect ecosystem. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) is intended to strengthen PCG’s teacher pipeline and professional learning capabilities to help address the nationwide teacher shortage.

eDynamic Learning, a portfolio company of Gauge Capital, has acquired Knowledge Matters, a provider of career-based simulation software for K–12 and higher education. The deal adds simulation-based experiential learning content to eDynamic Learning’s digital CTE and elective curriculum offering as an add-on to the existing platform.

Blueprint Test Prep, a New Harbor Capital portfolio company, has acquired Cram Fighter, an edtech provider of personalized study-plan software for medical exams. The acquisition expands Blueprint's product offerings into the USMLE and COMLEX markets and strengthens its digital study-planning and adaptive-learning capabilities.

Tutor Doctor, supported by parent Clear Summit Group, acquired Massachusetts-based Code Wiz, a children’s coding and robotics franchise. The deal will allow Tutor Doctor to expand its afterschool STEM offerings and accelerate Code Wiz’s franchise growth using Tutor Doctor’s franchise management infrastructure.

TeachTown, a Woburn, Massachusetts-based provider of evidence-based curriculum software for students with special needs, received a growth investment from Bain Capital Double Impact to support product development and growth. Financial terms were not disclosed; TeachTown's management will remain significant owners as the company aims to accelerate new product development and expand its reach into more school districts.

Instructure has signed an agreement to acquire Certica Solutions, a Wakefield, Massachusetts-based K–12 assessment and analytics provider. The acquisition will integrate Certica's assessment platform, standards-aligned item banks, and Videri analytics into Instructure's Canvas learning platform to deliver more actionable student data and personalized learning at the district level. Certica was sold by New Harbor Capital; the transaction is expected to close before the end of the year.

Bright Horizons (NYSE: BFAM) acquired the Sittercity business, an online marketplace connecting families with in-home caregivers, babysitters and tutors. The deal expands Bright Horizons' digital and in-home care capabilities, extending its offerings to include access to in-person and virtual tutors and flexible care options for working parents.

Higher Ground Education has acquired CozyKin, a Montessori-inspired nanny-sharing platform. CozyKin will be rebranded as Guidepost at Home and integrated into Higher Ground's network to extend in-home Montessori-informed childcare services across markets where Higher Ground operates.

Leeds Equity Partners made a control equity investment in Educate 360 Holdings, LLC (Project Management Academy) on December 21, 2015; terms were not disclosed. The investment will provide capital and resources to accelerate growth, expand the company’s professional training offerings, and support organic growth and acquisitions while partnering with founder and CEO John Smith.