Sterling Partners’ Education Opportunity Fund Invests in Amerigo Education
Amerigo is a Leading Provider of Comprehensive and Superior
Support Services for the Growing Number of International Students at
American Preparatory Schools
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sterling
Partners’ Education Opportunity Fund announced today its investment
in Amerigo
Education, a company that partners with elite American high schools
to support their international students and prepare them for acceptance
into selective U.S. universities. Amerigo uses an approach centered on
excellent academic outcomes to ensure international students thrive both
in and out of the American classroom.
The team behind Amerigo is intricately attuned to the burdens, concerns
and challenges shared by many teachers and administrators who work
closely with international students. After decades of combined industry
experience at companies like Deltak (acquired by John Wiley & Sons in
2012), Shorelight Education, Meritas, the Cristo Rey Network and
Navitas, the educators, program specialists and experts at Amerigo
created a solution that emphasizes success and growth which reaches far
beyond just academic and support services.
“I am thrilled to work with a team of people and partners who are truly
motivated by one mission – to provide the best experience and care for
international high school students,” said Craig Pines, Chief Executive
Officer at Amerigo. “We’ve created a solution that many international
students desire but currently do not find at U.S. high schools –
parental guidance, language-learning support, support to adjust to
American community and classroom norms; the list goes on. We provide all
the resources our students require to be successful in high school,
college and beyond. If we and our current and future partners succeed at
that, the ripple effect ultimately benefits everyone in today’s global
community.”
“With emerging global economies and rising middle class wealth, the
demand for high-quality education is expanding. Populations around the
world are looking more and more for access to our U.S. education
system,” said Jason Rosenberg, Managing Director of Sterling Partners’
Education Opportunity Fund. “The existence of Amerigo means that
international students at a younger age are much better prepared for
college and to survive and thrive well beyond. And as we transition to a
more global community, those educational and cultural experiences
Amerigo students have truly benefit everyone, regardless of where you
live. We’re interested in working with leaders and companies that are
transforming American education and Craig Pines at Amerigo is doing just
that.” Amerigo is the third investment made out of the Education
Opportunity Fund, Sterling’s first-ever sector-focused fund.
Each student at an Amerigo campus is nurtured throughout the duration of
a thoughtfully designed program that creates a pathway to admittance to
one of the top 200 American universities. This is done by providing a
college preparatory education, English language training and cultural
immersion opportunities in a safe and supportive dormitory-style
residential community.
Every element of the program is focused on student outcomes and the
highest level of student satisfaction. In addition, existing students at
American preparatory schools benefit from the program as Amerigo fully
integrates international students to create a cohesive global culture.
“We are being selective in terms of the high schools with whom we
partner,” said Pines. “We are seeking partners who are committed to
creating a diverse student body for the right reasons. Amerigo is
committed to ensuring students achieve their academic goals, but that’s
just the beginning of our mission.”
Amerigo seeks to build a strong cohort of strategic partners comprised
of college preparatory schools in safe environments, with dedicated
faculty and administrators who want to diversify their student body in
order to move all students down the path to global education.
Comments from some Amerigo partners:
-
“Lexington Catholic High School has internally managed its
international student program for several years. While it has been
successful, we lacked the range of support resources our students
needed to thrive,” said Dr. Steve Angelucci, President of Lexington
Catholic. “We have been blessed to meet the Amerigo team and
incorporate their experience and resources into our school. We now
have the ingredients for an exemplary support program for our
international student population that we are fully confident will
translate into a truly inclusive environment for all of our students.
After having worked with the Amerigo staff, it now seems archaic to
continue with our program without their extensive means of support.
The Lexington Catholic-Amerigo relationship is one we are truly
excited about. We expect it to become an integral part of who we are
as a school.” -
“Amerigo students will expand the opportunities for open communication
with others from distinctly different cultural backgrounds and help to
build cross-cultural understanding,” said Vincent J. Krydynski,
President of Marian Catholic High School. “By bringing our community
and international students together in the loving, caring and
academically challenging environment found at Marian Catholic, young
men and women will not only come to appreciate how unique they are,
but perhaps more importantly, how much they are alike. Ultimately,
these students will be the foundation for greater global harmony.”
About Amerigo Education
Amerigo supports international students at elite U.S. high schools with
a holistic and supportive approach that emphasizes excellent academic
outcomes. We help international students seeking a preparatory education
in the United States thrive both in and out of the American classroom.
Combining a nurturing boarding environment, supplemental academic
support, English language development, and an approach oriented around
successful college outcomes, Amerigo prepares students with the skills,
values, and care required to succeed in high school, at the college
level, and beyond. For more information, visit http://amerigoeducation.com/.
About Sterling Partners’ Education Opportunity Fund
Sterling Partners is a private equity firm with a distinct point of view
on how to build great companies. Its eighth investment fund, the
Education Opportunity Fund, was launched in partnership with USA Funds
in April 2015. The Fund’s objective is to invest in purpose-driven
companies and partner with high-performing leaders that are taking an
innovative approach to transforming the education landscape. The
Education Opportunity Fund will target investments where it can make
between $10 million and $25 million of equity capital commitments to
growth-stage, technology-relevant businesses. For more information,
visit www.educationfund.sterlingpartners.com.
Contacts
for Sterling Partners
Taylor Trovillion
312-329-3983
sterling@finnpartners.com
