Who We Are
Industry-focused and seasoned professionals dedicated to advising private school owners through complex, high-value transactions with precision and discretion.
SchoolWise Partners was founded to be the trusted strategic M&A advisor to private school owners and early education providers. We combine deep industry knowledge, extensive transaction experience, senior-level attention, and a real-time understanding of the factors that drive value in this specialized market.
Whether a client is preparing for a transaction, evaluating strategic alternatives, or planning for the future, we provide knowledgeable, transparent, and highly personalized guidance at every stage. Our goal is simple: to help each client make informed decisions, navigate the process with confidence, and achieve the best possible outcome. Backed by decades of collective experience as investment bankers, seasoned investors, and owners of 42 private schools, SchoolWise Partners offers invaluable support to industry providers in their pursuit of exit and growth strategies.
Our competitive advantage lies in our deep industry expertise, relevant transaction experience, and unparalleled capabilities, which ensure the best possible outcomes. We possess an in-depth understanding of the market, key players, and the factors that influence valuations and business development. Our strategic focus is centered on the early and secondary education sector, as we believe in sticking to what we know best. Our strategic focus is centered on the early and secondary education sector, as we believe in sticking to what we know best. Our unwavering passion for education serves as a driving force, not only in creating value for our clients but also in fostering broader enhancements to the functionality and sustainability of early childhood and secondary education. Despite being in a transactional business, we approach our work with a strong emphasis on building relationships and maximizing outcomes.
We are — Advisors. Educators. Entrepreneurs.
Our History
SchoolWise Partners was founded by Ben Mayer and Charlie Zamora, whose backgrounds span investment banking, private equity, school ownership, operations, and mergers and acquisitions.
In 2012, Ben and Charlie set out to expand access to high-quality early childhood education by acquiring exceptional private schools and providing them with the resources needed to strengthen their operations and deepen their community impact. Their journey began with the acquisition of two Montessori schools in Georgia. Over the next six years, they grew the organization to 42 schools across 11 states through acquisitions and de novo development. Collectively, the schools served more than 7,000 students and offered a variety of educational approaches, including Montessori and Reggio Emilia. Along the way, Ben and Charlie built a sophisticated support platform that enhanced academics, technology, marketing, professional development, and back-office operations. The organization’s growth earned recognition from the Inc. 5000. In 2018, they sold the company to a private equity group and began their next chapter: SchoolWise Partners.
Having been among the industry’s most active buyers, Ben and Charlie saw firsthand that many school owners lacked access to the sophisticated, investment-banking-level representation available in other industries. Without an experienced advisor, owners were often left to negotiate with a single buyer, navigate an unfamiliar process on their own, or accept terms that failed to reflect the full value of what they had built. SchoolWise Partners was created to close that gap. By combining firsthand operating experience with deep transaction expertise, the firm brings structure, strategy, and competitive tension to the sale process—leveling the playing field and helping education and child care providers achieve the best possible outcome for their businesses and families.
Delivering Highest Level of Services for Our Clients
Focus on Execution and Value Creation
Our Mission & Purpose
With a firm understanding of where the education industry has been, and where it is going - we strive to maximize outcomes, identify areas of alignment and accelerate growth and impact across the education industry. SchoolWise Partners was built on the understanding that smaller sized transactions deserve the same level of high service and attention that the mega-deals receive.
Our Mission: Deliver the highest level of services and achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. We want to be the first-choice advisor to providers in the education sector.
Our Purpose: Meet the needs of underserved providers in the sector seeking strategic expertise. We want to level the playing field for all, and we do that by leveraging our knowledge and capabilities.
At SchoolWise Partners, we are committed to our clients, colleagues, and our communities. We strive to embody the highest standards of integrity, excellence, commitment, stewardship, and partnership.
Committed to Our Shared Values, Our Team, and Our Clients
Integrity. Excellence. Commitment. Stewardship. Partnership.
Our Principles
What sets us apart is the way we do it — our culture, our values, and our commitment to our clients in the education sector. We believe the key to building lasting relationships and ensuring exceptional outcomes is by following these core principles:
Integrity. We do the right thing for our clients, every time. We stand by our promise to honor and respect our relationship, and to always work on your behalf.
Excellence. We have a steadfast commitment to excellence and refuse to settle for “good enough”. It is our duty to achieve the very best outcome on your behalf.
Commitment. We are transparent in our actions and care about how we do business. Our commitment rests with exceeding your expectations.
Stewardship. Your legacy matters. We strive to ensure a smooth and beneficial transition for you, your families and staff. We treat your school as if it was our own.
Ivy League Educated. Investment Banking Experience. ECE Industry Expertise.
Meet the Team
SchoolWise Partners brings together experts in early childhood education with a background in investment banking, entrepreneurship, and school ownership Our leadership team is built on experienced individuals who all share a deep commitment to making a positive impact to our clients in the early education sector.
Ben Mayer
Managing Partner
Charlie Zamora
Managing Partner
Andy Zwick
Director
Natalie Ruiz
Director
Scott Verdine
Director
Eric Jacobowitz
Senior Associate
Donny Steinmetz
Director
Taylor Mayfield
Associate
Camilo Lora
Associate
Join Our Team
Being best-in-class is the promise we make to all of our clients in the early education industry. Our ability to deliver on that promise requires that we attract and hire talented, team-focused, creative, and leadership-oriented candidates. We maintain a culture that is centered around growth and development, mentorship and sponsorship.
