Aspen Education Group Sells Explorations, Inc. in Montana

(Cerritos, CA) August 12, 2004 – Aspen Education Group, a national leader in the provision of educational services and programs to underachieving youth, announced today that it has sold the Explorations program in Trout Creek, Montana, effective August 12, 2004. The program is being sold back to its original owners, Lorne and Penny James Riddell, who founded Explorations in 1989.

Although Aspen owned Explorations less than one year, it quickly became evident that the small and intimate family centered living program that Lorne and Penny developed would best be served if it remained a small, independently run program. Because there was a desire on the part of Lorne and Penny to buy back the program, we were able to reach an amicable agreement that allows them to continue their vision.

We anticipate a seamless transition of the program. Students in the Wilderness Big Sky summer program will graduate this week. The remaining students in the residential program will continue at the current site under Penny and Lorne’s leadership. Aspen appreciates the positive contribution the leadership of Explorations and their dedicated staff have made during the last year.

If you have further questions about this, please contact either Sue Crowell scrowell@aspeneducation.com or Scott Canter at scanter@aspeneducation.com.

PO Box 1671 | Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 | 208-267-5550