Stride, Inc. is a technology company that provides an educational platform delivering proprietary and third-party curriculum, software systems, and educational services in the United States. It offers online coursework in software engineering, healthcare, and medical fields, along with state-customized versions, electives, and instructional supports. Its end-to-end platform includes single sign-on for content management, learning management, student information, data reporting and analytics, and various support systems. The company also provides instructional services, training options, and support services such as marketing, enrollment, assessment management, administrative, technology, and materials support. It serves public and private schools, school districts, charter boards, employers, government agencies, and consumers through virtual schools, traditional school districts, and directly to consumers. Formerly known as K12 Inc., it changed its name to Stride, Inc. in December 2020. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
Stride Extends Buyback Authorization Through October 2027
Stride, Inc. reported fourth-quarter and full-year results showing higher annual revenue of US$2.52 billion and improved profitability, extended its share repurchase authorization through October 2027, and confirmed it is actively evaluating acquisitions alongside ongoing buybacks. The appointment of Robert E. Knowling Jr. as CEO, combined with strong growth in career learning programs and continued capital returns, signals a renewed emphasis on both educational outcomes and disciplined capital allocation. The extension follows the completion of US$188.7 million in buybacks, or 5.39% of shares, under the prior program. Stride's narrative projects $2.8 billion revenue and $405.8 million earnings by 2029, requiring 3.6% yearly revenue growth and about a $97.7 million earnings increase from $308.1 million today.
Stride Names Robert E. Knowling Jr. CEO Ahead of Fiscal 2027
Stride named board member Robert E. Knowling Jr. as its new CEO just days before its August 4 fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call. The online education company reported full-year revenue of $2.518 billion, up 4.7%, with adjusted EBITDA rising 8.2% to $617.6 million and adjusted EPS of $8.33. Career learning revenue jumped 19% to $1.04 billion on 14% enrollment growth to 110,000 students, while general education revenue fell 2% to $1.42 billion as enrollments dropped 2.5% to 134,000. Stride repurchased about $189 million of stock during the year and has roughly $311 million remaining under its buyback authorization, backed by $1.034 billion in cash and marketable securities. Management cautioned that the first quarter of fiscal 2027 faces a tougher comparison, with applications tracking slightly behind last year's pace, and short interest sits at 22.92% of the float.
LRN · Capital · Neutral CEO change and earnings results mixed with revenue growth but enrollment declines in general education and cautious Q1 outlook.
Stride reports fiscal 2026 revenue of $2.518 billion, up 4.7%, driven by career learning
Stride, Inc. reported total revenue of $2.518 billion for fiscal 2026, a 4.7% increase from the prior year, driven by strong performance in its career learning segment. Career learning middle and high school revenue rose 19.1% to $1.044 billion, with enrollments growing 13.9% to 109,700 students, while general education revenue declined 2.1% to $1.418 billion on a 2.5% enrollment decrease. Adjusted operating income increased 6.9% to $498.4 million, adjusted EBITDA rose 8.2% to $617.6 million, and adjusted earnings per share reached $8.33, up from $8.10. The company ended the year with $1.034 billion in cash and marketable securities, repurchased $188.7 million of its common stock, and extended its buyback authorization through October 2027 with $311.3 million remaining. Newly appointed CEO Robert E. Knowling Jr. emphasized improving student outcomes and indicated he will actively consider opportunistic stock repurchases once the trading window opens.
Stride signals flat to slightly higher FY 2027 revenue per enrollment and extends buyback through October 2027
Stride expects full-year fiscal 2027 revenue per enrollment to be relatively flat to up slightly versus fiscal 2026, while its share repurchase authorization has been extended to October 31, 2027. CFO Donna Blackman said the overall funding environment remains supportive and that the company is on track to achieve its fiscal 2028 financial targets, though formal enrollment and financial guidance will be provided with first-quarter results in October. CEO Robert Knowling, newly appointed, stated he intends to actively consider opportunistic stock repurchases once the trading window opens at the end of October, with approximately $311 million remaining under the authorization. For fiscal 2026, Stride reported revenue of $2.518 billion, adjusted operating income of $498.4 million, adjusted EBITDA of $617.6 million, and adjusted earnings per share of $8.33. Management cautioned that first-quarter count-date enrollment growth faces a more difficult comparison due to reduced in-year enrollment carryover, while early indicators show applications slightly behind last year but higher conversion and re-registration rates.
Stride Beats Revenue and EPS Estimates in Q2 CY2026, Stock Soars
Stride beat Wall Street's revenue and earnings expectations for its second quarter of fiscal year 2026, sending shares up 5.8% to $85.17 in immediate after-hours trading. Revenue fell 2.7% year on year to $636.1 million, but still exceeded analyst estimates of $627.3 million by 1.4%. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.12, a 10.8% beat over the consensus estimate of $1.91, while adjusted EBITDA of $149.8 million topped forecasts by 2.9%. The company's operating margin improved to 16.6% from 8.7% a year earlier, and free cash flow margin rose to 46% from 43.4%. CEO Robert Knowling said he is pleased to lead Stride as it positions for its next chapter of growth.
Stride to Report Q2 Earnings Amid Expected Revenue Decline
Stride is set to report its second-quarter results this Tuesday after the market closes. Analysts expect revenue to decline 4% year on year, a reversal from the 22.4% increase recorded in the same quarter last year. Last quarter, the company reported revenues of $629.9 million, up 2.7% year on year, meeting analyst expectations, while beating earnings per share estimates but issuing full-year revenue guidance slightly below expectations. Stride's stock is down 11.1% over the last month, heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $109 compared to the current share price of $79.30.
Rumble reported first-quarter revenues of $25.46 million, up 7.4% year on year but falling 2% short of analysts' expectations, in what the company described as a disappointing quarter that also saw a significant miss on earnings per share estimates. The video-sharing platform, which positions itself as a free-speech alternative to mainstream services, achieved the fastest revenue growth among the six digital media and content platforms stocks tracked, yet its share price has fallen 28% since the report to $5.88. The broader group posted a soft quarter overall, with aggregate revenues missing consensus estimates by 5.3% and next-quarter revenue guidance coming in 6% below expectations, contributing to an average share-price decline of 18.2% across the cohort. Among peers, Stride reported revenues of $629.9 million, up 2.7% year on year and in line with estimates, while Ziff Davis saw revenues of $267.6 million, down 1.9% and missing estimates by 6.9%. Getty Images posted revenues of $226.6 million, up 1.1% but lagging estimates by 5.9%, and WEBTOON reported revenues of $320.9 million, down 1.5% and meeting estimates.
Stride sets August 4 earnings call for fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2026
Stride Inc. plans to discuss its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2026 financial results during a conference call scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. eastern time. A live webcast will be available at investors.stridelearning.com, and participants can dial in using the provided domestic or international numbers with conference ID 708 877 615. A replay will be posted on the same website as soon as it is available.
Laughing Water Capital Updates on Stride, Citing Technology Progress and Texas School Loss
Laughing Water Capital released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, reporting a quarterly return of approximately 39.8% net for its Class A investment, bringing the year-to-date return to about 33.6% net. The firm highlighted Stride, a K-12 virtual education business, noting continued progress in upgrading its technology stack after prior issues with enrollment and user experience. However, Stride lost a school in Texas that will not be renewing, though historically most affected students re-enroll in another Stride school, limiting the impact. The market reacted negatively, extrapolating further losses, and shares suffered, but Laughing Water Capital believes that if technology problems are fixed, Stride will return to growth and shares will re-rate higher. Stride trades at a single-digit multiple of cash flow, serves a growing student base with recession-resilient services, and has a large buyback in place.
K12 Earns Two Stevie Awards for Skills Arcade and Promising Practices
K12, the nation's largest provider of virtual K-12 education, earned two Stevie Awards at the 24th Annual American Business Awards, receiving Gold for the K12 Skills Arcade and Bronze for Promising Practices. The K12 Skills Arcade is a gamified adaptive learning platform serving an average of 45,000 PreK–12 students monthly, with nearly 30,000 students across more than 100 Alabama schools enrolled through a partnership and statewide grant. Independent research from Auburn University links the platform to measurable gains in math and reading benchmark pass rates, especially among economically disadvantaged and special education students. Promising Practices, now in its 15th year, is a free virtual professional development conference that in 2025 awarded 31,584 certificates across over 95 sessions on topics like AI in education and student mental health. K12 is a portfolio brand of Stride, Inc., whose parent company's portfolio earned multiple honors this year.
LRN · Demand · Positive K12 Skills Arcade's adoption by 30,000 students in Alabama via grant and partnership indicates strong end-customer demand for Stride's product.
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