Millpond Equity Partners invests in day school provider Galileo Education to support strategic acquisitions
Boca Raton, FL – Millpond Equity Partners (“Millpond”) announced an investment in Galileo Education (“Galileo” or “the Company”), a Franklin, Tennessee-based provider of education to pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The Galileo portfolio of schools, with locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida, provides education services to students who prefer an individualized, non-traditional approach to schooling with proven curriculum and methodologies and for those with special needs including autism, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and other exceptionalities. With decades of experience utilizing proven methodologies such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, the Orton Gillingham approach, the Montessori method, and others, Galileo Education is a trusted partner to parents and students in delivering quality educational outcomes. Galileo’s schools offer highly personalized, purpose-driven education, flexibility and control for families, and both academic and social-behavioral growth for children. Proceeds from the investment were utilized to expand the portfolio of schools and for future acquisitions.
The Galileo portfolio consists of leading local brands including The Cyzner Institute, a Charlotte, NC private educational, therapeutic, and biomedical center founded in 2003 for children with learning differences or special developmental and behavioral needs; Kent Academy, a Charlotte, NC private day school founded in 2011 designed to educate gifted students with an individualized and integrated curriculum, in a small environment, and who may also be diagnosed with one or more learning disabilities; Safety Harbor Montessori Academy, a Clearwater, FL Montessori-based school founded in 1995 guided by the belief that children learn through observations, experiences, and lessons that activate senses and tap into natural curiosity; and Galileo Preparatory Academy, a Franklin, TN school for K-12th grade emphasizing personalized, purpose-driven curriculum with flexibility in a multi-age community. Across the portfolio, Galileo’s schools utilize proven methodologies with decades of efficacy and demonstrate positive student results. Each school within the portfolio maintains its local brand and high-quality, long-tenured educators while benefiting from the collective portfolio’s expertise and best practices for educating each unique student.
“We are excited to partner with Millpond and believe the resources they provide and experience as investors in the education sector will enable us to build Galileo into a leading platform serving students who benefit from our unique offerings,” stated Mark Claypool, CEO of Galileo Education.
“We are very excited to partner with Galileo and work together to enhance and build upon the stellar history of the initial schools and continue to add highly reputable and efficacious institutions to the platform” commented Millpond Partner, Mark Eidemueller. “We have a long history of working with Mark Claypool and are excited to assist him and his team in building a leading PK-12 education provider serving non-traditional students and those with special needs. As the demand grows for excellent, effective private schooling that is tailored to the needs of families and students, Galileo is well-positioned to meet the needs of this market. We look forward to adding to the current portfolio,” added Millpond Equity Partner, Larry Shagrin.
In addition to Millpond, financing was provided by an affiliate of Hamilton Lane Impact Investments.
