Brazil education sector sees growth in school and university acquisitions

The Brazilian private education sector is seeing significant consolidation through acquisitions of high-end schools and higher education institutions. Since 2022, at least 25 premium schools have undergone changes in control or partnership. Recent transactions include FCM Holding’s R$ 60 million purchase of Stance Dual and SEB Education’s acquisition of PlayPen, which is currently awaiting regulatory approval from Cade.

High-end schools remain attractive due to high monthly fees—reaching up to R$ 15,700—and long-term student retention. Hoper Educação estimates the private basic education market will reach R$ 112 billion in 2025. International groups such as Inspired, International Schools Partnership, and Nord Anglia have also expanded their presence in Brazil.

In the higher education segment, Ânima Educação is working to integrate FMU following its R$ 410 million acquisition. Ânima’s CFO, Átila Simões da Cunha, stated that integrating FMU into the group’s ecosystem is expected to improve margins. Currently, FMU operates with margins roughly half of those seen in comparable Ânima operations. By leveraging the group’s scale, the company aims to reduce costs through shared structures and better contract negotiations while helping the institution recover market share in São Paulo.