Ron Packard, CEO and Founder of K12 Inc., Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 Award Finalist in Greater Washington

May 22, 2008
HERNDON, Va., May 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN), the leader in K-12 curriculum and online school programs, today announced that its CEO and Founder, Ron Packard, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 Award in the Greater Washington Region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Packard was selected as a finalist from nearly 100 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, VA.

Ron Packard founded K12 Inc. in 1999 with the vision to provide every child access to an excellent education regardless of their geographic, financial or demographic circumstances. Since then the company has grown to become the nation's leader in K-12 curriculum and online school programs and is widely regarded as the highest quality provider in the industry.

In 2007, Packard received the Education Industry Association's James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Leadership Award for exceptional leadership and entrepreneurship to improve educational opportunities for children.

Before starting K12, Packard served as a vice president of Knowledge Universe and CEO of Knowledge Schools. Previously, he worked for McKinsey & Company as well as for Goldman Sachs in mergers and acquisitions. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Mechanical Engineering with honors from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 15, 2008. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors. In Greater Washington sponsors include HSBC Bank, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Reznick Group, Lockton Companies and the Washington Business Journal.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc., a technology-based education company, is the leading provider of K-12 curriculum and online education programs. K12 provides its high quality curriculum and academic services for use in online schools, traditional classrooms, "blended" school programs (online and classroom instruction), and other education programs.

Over 40,000 students in 17 states are enrolled in online public schools that use the K12 program. Additionally, K12 Inc. operates the K12 International Academy, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving full-time and part-time students worldwide. K12 also provides its complete curriculum and individual courses directly to families, educators and other consumers.

K12's mission is to provide any child the curriculum and tools to maximize success in life, regardless of geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances. The K12 program combines a cognitive research-based curriculum with individualized, one-to-one learning approaches for students of all abilities in numerous education settings. More information can be found at www.K12.com

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

(C) 2008 K12 Inc. K12 is a registered trademark, and the K12 logo, Unleash the xPotential and xPotential are trademarks of K12 Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: K12 Inc.

K12 Inc.
Jeff Kwitowski
Vice President, Public Relations
703-483-7281
jkwitowski@k12.com