DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Archipelago Learning Inc.
(Nasdaq:ARCL), a leading subscription-based online education company,
today announced the election of Thomas F. Hedrick to its board of
directors. Hedrick will also serve on Archipelago Learning's Audit
Committee.

Tim McEwen, chief executive officer, commented, "We are delighted to
add Tom Hedrick to the company's board of directors. Tom's extensive
experience working with high-performing technology companies in the
areas of strategy, culture and acquisitions, and his leadership role as
a school board president make him a perfect fit for moving our Study
Island and Northstar Learning brands forward. We are excited to start
working with Tom and look forward to the value he will bring to the
board and our company."

Since 2002, Hedrick has been managing director of two venture capital
investment and advisory firms, Dillon Joyce Ltd. and HP Growth Partners
LLC. He has also been an advisor to Vortex Partners LP, a Dallas-based
venture fund and to SSM Partners, a Memphis-based growth capital fund.
From 1987 through 2002, Hedrick was with McKinsey & Company, where he
rose to the position of director and managing partner of the Dallas
office. While at McKinsey, he co-led the North American high tech
practice and the Texas private equity and venture capital practices.
Hedrick serves on the board of directors of All Web Leads, a provider
of consumer leads for the insurance industry; Bulldog Solutions, an
online marketing agency; RealManage, a provider of SaaS and services to
homeowner associations; and CelAccess, a provider of wireless access
control via SaaS. He is past president of an elementary and middle
school board and currently serves on the advisory board for the
Alliance for Catholic Education consulting initiative. Mr. Hedrick has
a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Notre Dame and an Master of Business Administration from
Harvard Business School.

About Archipelago Learning

Archipelago Learning is a leading subscription-based online education
company that provides standards-based instruction, practice,
assessments and productivity tools that improve the performance of
educators and students via proprietary web-based platforms. Study
Island, the core product line, helps students in kindergarten through
12th grade master grade-level academic standards in a fun and engaging
manner. Study Island products are utilized by approximately 9 million
students in more than 21,500 schools in 50 states and Canada. For more
information, please visit www.archipelagolearning.com. Archipelago
Learning is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

The Archipelago Learning, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6864

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 regarding the Company. These forward-looking statements are based
on current information and expectations, and are subject to risks and
uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ
materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement contained in this
release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise, except as may be required by law.


CONTACT:  Integrated Corporate Relations
          Investors:
          John Rouleau
          203-682-8342
          John.Rouleau@ircinc.com
         
          Eicher Communications Inc.
          Media:
          Leslie Eicher, APR
          314-965-1776
          Leslie@EicherCommunications.com