Archipelago Learning Acquires English Language Learning Provider Alloy Multimedia

Executing on Strategy to Offer Teachers a Comprehensive, Fully Digital Supplemental Solution

Archipelago Learning, a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service provider of education products, announced recently that it has acquired Houston-based Alloy Multimedia, publisher of ESL ReadingSmart, an online, standards-based program for English language learners (ELL), for $2.0 million in cash, and the founder will receive a royalty on future net sales of ESL ReadingSmart. The transaction closed on June 24, 2011.

"We are excited to complete the acquisition of Alloy Multimedia and its flagship product ESL ReadingSmart, and welcome Clara Rojas and her team into our organization. ESL ReadingSmart is another high quality, rigorous and engaging product to add to Archipelago's portfolio, and enables us to better meet a growing need for our customers," said, Tim McEwen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Archipelago Learning. "We continue to take the necessary steps toward delivering on our strategy to become a leading provider of digital supplemental education by offering a comprehensive suite of products."
He went on to say, "There are approximately six million English language learners enrolled in K-12 schools in the U.S. annually, and that number has grown by nearly five percent per year. We believe a compelling online ELL product that is simple to implement and use, is engaging, and actually works, will serve as an invaluable tool to help teachers improve the English language proficiency and academic performance of these students."

Clara M. Rojas, Founder of Alloy Multimedia commented, "We are enthusiastic about becoming part of the Archipelago Learning product set and family. English language learners are a growing and underserved student-base. With Archipelago Learning, a proven digital education provider with a robust sales and marketing infrastructure, we will be able to offer ESL ReadingSmart to millions of students across the U.S."

Launched in 2002, Alloy Multimedia publishes ESL ReadingSmart, an online, standards-based program for English language learners targeted toward grades 4-12. The product offers individualized, content-based instruction to develop English language proficiency with emphasis on literacy and academic language development for newcomers, beginners, intermediate, early advanced, and advanced English learners. ESL ReadingSmart is currently used in approximately 350 schools, primarily in Texas.

We plan to fully integrate Alloy Multimedia into Archipelago Learning this year with six employees joining our operations. Mark S. Dubrow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Archipelago Learning commented, "We view this strategic opportunity to enter the ELL market as an effective use of free cash flow to enhance shareholder value. We anticipate that this acquisition will be accretive in year two."