Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results

WEST CHESTER, Pa., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (Nasdaq: NLCI), a leading operator of private preschools, elementary schools,  middle schools and an online K-12 College Prep school, today reported financial results for the third quarter (13 weeks) of fiscal 2010, which ended March 27, 2010.

Third quarter 2010 revenues rose 5.7% to $60.2 million compared to $56.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  Third quarter net income was $1.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $2.3 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $5.5 million, compared to $6.9 million in the comparable quarter for the prior fiscal year.   For the trailing twelve months ended March 27, 2010, Adjusted EBITDA was $17.8 million.

George Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nobel Learning Communities, Inc., stated, "We are gaining momentum, as enrollment continues to improve consistent with trends first experienced in the December quarter.  During the third quarter, two important comparable school enrollment metrics, student withdrawal rates and new starts, improved compared to both the third quarter of last year and gained significantly compared to the December quarter.  This steady improvement clearly indicates we are succeeding in attracting new students, retaining more students and reversing the trends we experienced through the recession.  By consistently investing in our curriculum and school operating efficiencies, we have been able to improve the operating leverage in our business, especially relative to several years ago.  As a result, we are optimistic the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 will show improvement in financial performance versus the same period last year.  We are generating strong cash flow and have significant availability remaining on our committed bank line of credit to execute on our growth strategy.  As the economy recovers, our multiple delivery channels and enhanced business model have us well-positioned to efficiently leverage the growing demand for quality education into stockholder value."

A net increase in enrollment, driven by improved withdrawal rates and increasing new starts, contributed to a 90 basis point sequential improvement in comparable school revenue.  Third quarter comparable school revenue decreased 3.9% from the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a sequential improvement compared to a 4.8% decrease during our fiscal 2010 second quarter.  Comparable school revenue performance in the third quarter of 2010 was actually markedly better as revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 included a 1.4% tuition increase, which was not repeated this year.  Without the effect of this 1.4% tuition increase, comparable school revenue in the third quarter of 2010 would have been down only 2.5% from the same quarter last year.   Comparable school revenue trends have now improved in two consecutive quarters for the first time since the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months ended March 27, 2010 was $17.8 million.  Due to the impact of the recession during this most recent trailing twelve month period ended March 27, 2010, comparable school revenue performance was at its weakest and directly impacted Adjusted EBITDA.  Consequently, should comparable school revenue continue the trends demonstrated over the past two quarters, we believe that trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA should improve in future foreseeable quarters.

School gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $8.4 million compared to $8.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of the current year were little changed from the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  Compared to a year ago, general and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, impacted by increased legal fees associated with the ongoing defense of the Department of Justice generated Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit and increased costs associated with the operation of the Laurel Springs School, including higher intangible amortization as a result of the acquisition activity since the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  

Nine Month Results

For the first nine months of fiscal 2010, revenues increased 3.5% to $169.4 million despite a 5.1% decrease in comparable school revenue.   For the first nine months of fiscal 2010, gross profit was down 11.4% to $19.9 million primarily due to comparable school revenue reduction.  Net income for the first nine months of 2010 was $746,000, or $0.07 per fully diluted share, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.38 per fully diluted share a year ago.

Mr. Bernstein concluded, "The weakening economy had its most pronounced effect on our critical September 2009 back-to-school enrollments.  We have been very successful in steadily re-building enrollments and sustaining cash flows over the past two fiscal quarters.  Although total enrollments are still below the peaks achieved prior to the economic slowdown, we are pleased with the progress achieved to date, for which we thank the tireless efforts of our dedicated principals, teachers and school administrators.  With the strong cash flows our business model consistently generates, we believe that we have the resources to strengthen our current educational platform while also investing in our growth initiatives, such as our on-line Laurel Springs School, international expansion, and school acquisition program.  Over the long term, we believe we can create significant value with our strategy to be the leader in affordable, high quality education in both the pre-K and K-12 private pay markets."

About Nobel Learning Communities

Nobel Learning Communities operates a national network of over 180 nonsectarian private Preschool and K+ schools and a global K-12 distance learning and online school. Nobel Learning is dedicated to providing a high-quality private education, through small class sizes, caring and skilled teachers, and attention to individual learning styles. Nobel Learning also offers an array of supplemental educational services, including before- and after-school programs, the Camp Zone(R) summer program, learning support programs, and specialty schools. For more information, please visit www.NobelLearning.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information contained in this press release, the information in this press release consists of forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include among others, the implementation and results of the Company's ongoing strategic initiatives; the Company's ability to compete with new or existing competitors; dependence on senior management and other key personnel; changes in general economic conditions; and the impact on our business and the price of our common stock caused by the concentration of ownership of our common stock..  Other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC.  These statements are based only on management's knowledge and expectations on the date of this press release.  The Company will not necessarily update these statements or other information in this press release based on future events or circumstances.

In this release, financial measures are presented both in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and also on a non-GAAP basis. Adjusted EBITDA in this release is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is commonly presented as a reconciliation starting with net income. Due to the number of non-operating related items included in net income, we present Adjusted EBITDA. The Company believes that the use of certain non-GAAP financial measures enables the Company and its investors and potential investors to evaluate and compare the Company's results from operations generated from its business in a more meaningful and consistent manner and provides an analysis of operating results using the same measures used by the Company's chief operating decision makers to measure the performance of the Company. Please see the financial summary below for information reconciling non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year condensed financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.  Certain financial information is presented on a rounded basis, which may cause minor differences.

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SOURCE Nobel Learning Communities, Inc.