Stride vs. Bright Horizons: Which Education Stock is the Better Choice?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 23 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LRN?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Stride, Inc. Growth Strategy: Stride is focusing on expanding its virtual K-12 education and career training offerings, achieving a 22% revenue increase year-over-year in Q4 2025, driven by strong enrollment growth. The company is investing in technology to enhance student outcomes and is optimistic about continued enrollment growth in fiscal 2026.
Bright Horizons Expansion Efforts: Bright Horizons is growing its childcare and family support services, with a 9% revenue increase year-over-year in Q2 2025. The company is opening new centers and strengthening employer partnerships, although it faces challenges with occupancy rates in its childcare centers, which remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Investment Comparison: Stride is currently viewed as a better investment opportunity compared to Bright Horizons, with a higher return on equity (ROE) and stronger share price performance. Stride holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while Bright Horizons has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Market Outlook: Both companies are positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in the education sector, with Stride focusing on technology-driven learning and Bright Horizons on employer-sponsored childcare solutions. The overall market conditions appear favorable for both, despite the operational challenges faced by Bright Horizons.
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Analyst Views on LRN
Wall Street analysts forecast LRN stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 84.450
Low
82.00
Averages
106.75
High
125.00
Current: 84.450
Low
82.00
Averages
106.75
High
125.00
About LRN
Stride, Inc. is a technology company providing an educational platform to deliver online learning to students throughout the U.S. It provides a range of services including K-12 education, career learning, professional skills training, and talent development. Its platform hosts products and services to attract, enroll, educate, track progress, and support students. These products and services, spanning curriculum, systems, instruction, and support services, are designed to help learners of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning. Its platform addresses two markets in the K-12 space: General Education and Career Learning. Products and services for the General Education market are focused on core subjects for kindergarten through twelfth grade students to help build a common foundation of knowledge. Career Learning products and services are focused on developing skills to enter and succeed in careers in high-growth and in-demand industries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
K12 Tutoring Wins Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence
- Award Recognition: K12 Tutoring has been honored with the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence for delivering measurable academic impact across grade levels, highlighting its leadership and innovation in the education sector.
- Significant Academic Gains: In 2025, K12 Tutoring earned Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Level II and III validation based on independent studies, demonstrating substantial improvements in reading and math, particularly among students with the greatest learning needs.
- Flexible Tutoring Model: By partnering with school districts, families, and K12-powered schools, K12 Tutoring provides targeted academic support that aligns with state standards and local instructional priorities, ensuring seamless integration into students' learning schedules.
- Extensive Service Reach: To date, K12 Tutoring has delivered over 300,000 tutoring sessions to thousands of students nationwide, showcasing its ability to provide consistent academic support across diverse learning environments.
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Investigation into Stride, Inc. Board of Directors
- Board Investigation: Berger Montague PC is investigating Stride, Inc.'s Board of Directors for potential breaches of fiduciary duties, focusing on possible failures in governance and oversight that could impact the company's integrity.
- Shareholder Concerns: The investigation aims to assess whether the Board's public statements regarding Stride's operations and financial performance were misleading, which may affect shareholder confidence and investment decisions moving forward.
- Law Firm Background: Berger Montague is a leading law firm in complex civil litigation and class actions, having recovered over $50 billion for clients over its 55-year history, establishing a strong reputation in the legal field.
- Contact Information: Shareholders seeking more information about the investigation can contact Andrew Abramowitz or Caitlin Adorni at Berger Montague to ensure their rights are protected.
See More
Mullin's Small-Cap Stock Investments Update
- Stock Purchase Overview: On January 5, 2026, Mullin disclosed purchases of 10 stocks, each ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, indicating his ongoing interest in small and mid-cap stocks, with most having market capitalizations below $20 billion.
- Small-Cap Characteristics: Notably, two of these stocks have market caps under $5 billion, reinforcing Mullin's preference for smaller stocks, which could influence his decisions on the Armed Services Committee, particularly regarding future government contracts.
- Historical Trade Review: Prior to this, on December 29, 2025, Mullin bought six of the Magnificent Seven stocks, investing at least $50,000, highlighting his preference for tech stocks, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) being the largest investment.
- Potential Conflict of Interest: Given Mullin's role on the Armed Services Committee, Benzinga will closely monitor his future stock trades, especially concerning potential conflicts arising from military actions in countries like Venezuela.
See More
Investigation into Stride Inc. Board for Fiduciary Breaches
- Board Investigation: Berger Montague is investigating Stride, Inc.'s Board of Directors for potential breaches of fiduciary duties, particularly regarding oversight of public statements about the company's operations and financial performance, which may harm shareholder interests.
- Shareholder Rights Protection: The investigation aims to safeguard the rights of Stride shareholders, who can contact Berger Montague for more information, highlighting the law firm's commitment to protecting investor interests.
- Education Technology Company Profile: Stride, Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, focuses on providing online learning programs and curricula to schools and districts nationwide, underscoring its significance in the education technology sector.
- Law Firm Expertise: Berger Montague is a leading firm in complex civil litigation and class actions, having recovered over $50 billion for clients over 55 years, demonstrating its strong capabilities and influence in the legal field.
See More
Stride Shares Surge 14.25% After Strong Earnings Beat Expectations
- Revenue Growth: Stride's revenue for Q2 FY2026 rose 7.5% year-over-year to $631.3 million, driven by a 7.8% increase in total enrollments to 248,500, with career learning enrollments surging 17.6% to 111,500, indicating a sustained demand for alternatives to traditional education models.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted EBITDA surged 17.2% to $188.1 million, demonstrating Stride's ability to enhance profitability while scaling operations, with adjusted earnings per share increasing 5.5% to $2.50, surpassing consensus estimates of $2.01.
- Stable Growth Forecast: Management anticipates full-year revenue between $2.480 billion and $2.555 billion for FY2026, with adjusted operating income projected at $485 million to $505 million, reflecting approximately 5% and 6% year-over-year growth, respectively, indicating a positive outlook for future growth.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the earnings announcement, Stride's stock price surged 14.25%, closing at $10.32, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's performance and future growth potential.
See More
Significant Stock Movements Among Major Companies
- Intel Stock Surge: Intel's stock rose over 11% following a DigiTimes report indicating that Nvidia will shift chip production to Intel by 2028, enhancing its competitive position in the semiconductor market.
- AT&T Profit Guidance Upgrade: AT&T's stock increased by 5% after raising its annual profit guidance, expecting free cash flow to exceed $21 billion in 2028, surpassing analysts' estimates of $19.61 billion, indicating robust financial health.
- Seagate Strong Earnings Boost: Seagate's stock soared 19% after reporting adjusted earnings of $3.11 per share, exceeding the expected $2.81, reflecting strong performance in the storage infrastructure sector.
- Stride Earnings Beat Expectations: Stride's stock surged 21% after reporting adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share, significantly above analysts' expectations of $2.01, showcasing strong demand in the virtual education market.
See More
K12 Tutoring Wins Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence
- Award Recognition: K12 Tutoring has been honored with the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence for delivering measurable academic impact across grade levels, highlighting its leadership and innovation in the education sector.
- Significant Academic Gains: In 2025, K12 Tutoring earned Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Level II and III validation based on independent studies, demonstrating substantial improvements in reading and math, particularly among students with the greatest learning needs.
- Flexible Tutoring Model: By partnering with school districts, families, and K12-powered schools, K12 Tutoring provides targeted academic support that aligns with state standards and local instructional priorities, ensuring seamless integration into students' learning schedules.
- Extensive Service Reach: To date, K12 Tutoring has delivered over 300,000 tutoring sessions to thousands of students nationwide, showcasing its ability to provide consistent academic support across diverse learning environments.
See More
Investigation into Stride, Inc. Board of Directors
- Board Investigation: Berger Montague PC is investigating Stride, Inc.'s Board of Directors for potential breaches of fiduciary duties, focusing on possible failures in governance and oversight that could impact the company's integrity.
- Shareholder Concerns: The investigation aims to assess whether the Board's public statements regarding Stride's operations and financial performance were misleading, which may affect shareholder confidence and investment decisions moving forward.
- Law Firm Background: Berger Montague is a leading law firm in complex civil litigation and class actions, having recovered over $50 billion for clients over its 55-year history, establishing a strong reputation in the legal field.
- Contact Information: Shareholders seeking more information about the investigation can contact Andrew Abramowitz or Caitlin Adorni at Berger Montague to ensure their rights are protected.
See More
Mullin's Small-Cap Stock Investments Update
- Stock Purchase Overview: On January 5, 2026, Mullin disclosed purchases of 10 stocks, each ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, indicating his ongoing interest in small and mid-cap stocks, with most having market capitalizations below $20 billion.
- Small-Cap Characteristics: Notably, two of these stocks have market caps under $5 billion, reinforcing Mullin's preference for smaller stocks, which could influence his decisions on the Armed Services Committee, particularly regarding future government contracts.
- Historical Trade Review: Prior to this, on December 29, 2025, Mullin bought six of the Magnificent Seven stocks, investing at least $50,000, highlighting his preference for tech stocks, with Microsoft Corp (MSFT) being the largest investment.
- Potential Conflict of Interest: Given Mullin's role on the Armed Services Committee, Benzinga will closely monitor his future stock trades, especially concerning potential conflicts arising from military actions in countries like Venezuela.
See More
Investigation into Stride Inc. Board for Fiduciary Breaches
- Board Investigation: Berger Montague is investigating Stride, Inc.'s Board of Directors for potential breaches of fiduciary duties, particularly regarding oversight of public statements about the company's operations and financial performance, which may harm shareholder interests.
- Shareholder Rights Protection: The investigation aims to safeguard the rights of Stride shareholders, who can contact Berger Montague for more information, highlighting the law firm's commitment to protecting investor interests.
- Education Technology Company Profile: Stride, Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, focuses on providing online learning programs and curricula to schools and districts nationwide, underscoring its significance in the education technology sector.
- Law Firm Expertise: Berger Montague is a leading firm in complex civil litigation and class actions, having recovered over $50 billion for clients over 55 years, demonstrating its strong capabilities and influence in the legal field.
See More
Stride Shares Surge 14.25% After Strong Earnings Beat Expectations
- Revenue Growth: Stride's revenue for Q2 FY2026 rose 7.5% year-over-year to $631.3 million, driven by a 7.8% increase in total enrollments to 248,500, with career learning enrollments surging 17.6% to 111,500, indicating a sustained demand for alternatives to traditional education models.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted EBITDA surged 17.2% to $188.1 million, demonstrating Stride's ability to enhance profitability while scaling operations, with adjusted earnings per share increasing 5.5% to $2.50, surpassing consensus estimates of $2.01.
- Stable Growth Forecast: Management anticipates full-year revenue between $2.480 billion and $2.555 billion for FY2026, with adjusted operating income projected at $485 million to $505 million, reflecting approximately 5% and 6% year-over-year growth, respectively, indicating a positive outlook for future growth.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the earnings announcement, Stride's stock price surged 14.25%, closing at $10.32, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's performance and future growth potential.
See More
Significant Stock Movements Among Major Companies
- Intel Stock Surge: Intel's stock rose over 11% following a DigiTimes report indicating that Nvidia will shift chip production to Intel by 2028, enhancing its competitive position in the semiconductor market.
- AT&T Profit Guidance Upgrade: AT&T's stock increased by 5% after raising its annual profit guidance, expecting free cash flow to exceed $21 billion in 2028, surpassing analysts' estimates of $19.61 billion, indicating robust financial health.
- Seagate Strong Earnings Boost: Seagate's stock soared 19% after reporting adjusted earnings of $3.11 per share, exceeding the expected $2.81, reflecting strong performance in the storage infrastructure sector.
- Stride Earnings Beat Expectations: Stride's stock surged 21% after reporting adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share, significantly above analysts' expectations of $2.01, showcasing strong demand in the virtual education market.
See More
