Bright Scholar Enters into Definitive Agreement for Going-Private Transaction

Core Viewpoint - Bright Scholar Education Holdings Limited has announced a merger agreement with Excellence Education Investment Limited, which will result in Bright Scholar becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company [1][5]. Merger Details - The merger will involve the cancellation of each American depository share (ADS) for a cash payment of US$2.30 per ADS, and each share of the company will be cancelled for US$0.575 per share, excluding certain shares [2]. - The merger consideration represents a premium of approximately 47.4% to the closing price of the ADSs on May 23, 2025, and premiums of approximately 39.4% and 35.9% to the volume-weighted average closing prices over the last 30 and 60 trading days, respectively [3]. Funding Structure - The merger will be funded through a combination of cash contributions from Wisdom Avenue Global Limited and Waterflower Investment Ltd., equity rollover by Sure Brilliant Global Limited, and a transfer of shares by Ultimate Wise Group Limited to Merger Sub for nominal value [4]. Board Approval - The merger agreement has been approved by the board of directors of Bright Scholar, following a unanimous recommendation from a special committee of independent directors [5]. Closing Timeline - The merger is expected to close in 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, and will result in Bright Scholar becoming a privately held company with its ADSs no longer listed on The New York Stock Exchange [6]. Legal and Advisory Support - Kroll, LLC is serving as the financial advisor to the special committee, while various law firms are providing legal counsel to both the company and the buyer group [7].