Type: Private
On the web: http://www.renlearn.com
Employees: 893
Employee growth: 0.6%

Renaissance Learning offers a technical approach to education. The company's educational software, designed for grades pre-K through 12, is used by schools in North America. Offered on CD-ROMs and on a hosted basis, its software includes its flagship Accelerated Reader program, as well as applications for writing, math, language acquisition, and early literacy. Renaissance also markets portable computing devices pre-loaded with software to improve writing skills. Husband and wife Terrance Paul (chairman) and Judith Paul (vice chairman), who founded the company in 1986, together owned 54% of Renaissance before it was acquired in 2011 by London-based private equity firm Permira Funds for about $440 million.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $130.1M
One year growth: 7.1%
Net income: $23.9M
Income growth: 19.9%

Officers:
Chairman: Terrance D. (Terry) Paul
President and COO: Steven A. (Steve) Schmidt
EVP Finance, CFO, and Secretary: Mary T. Minch

Competitors:
PLATO Learning
Scholastic
Scientific Learning

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