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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2009
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 3pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S&#150;8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Archipelago Learning, Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>27-0767387</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>3400 Carlisle Street, Suite&nbsp;345<BR>
Dallas, Texas 75204-1257</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC. 2009 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC. 2009 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full Title of Plan)<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Tim McEwen<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
3400 Carlisle Street, Suite&nbsp;345<BR>
Dallas, Texas 75204-1257<BR>
(860)&nbsp;419-3191</B><BR>
(Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><I>With a copy to:</I></B><BR>
Alexander D. Lynch, Esq.<BR>
Weil, Gotshal &#038; Manges LLP<BR>
767 Fifth Avenue<BR>
New York, NY 10153<BR>
(212)&nbsp;310-8000</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated
filer&#148; and smaller reporting company in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
</DIV>

<DIV align=center>
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

  <TR style="FONT-SIZE: 6pt">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top>
    <TD vAlign=top noWrap align="left">Large accelerated filer <FONT face=Wingdings>&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top noWrap align="center">Accelerated filer<FONT face=Wingdings>&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD noWrap align="center">Non-accelerated filer &nbsp; <FONT face=Wingdings>&#254;</FONT><BR>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD vAlign=top noWrap align="center">Smaller reporting company <FONT face=Wingdings>&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="24%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Maximum Offering</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Maximum Aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Securities to be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">be Registered (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Price Per Share (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Offering Price (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Registration Fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">2,698,172 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$16.50</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$44,519,838</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$2,484.21</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The securities to be registered are 2,198,172 shares of common stock of the registrant
issuable under the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 500,000 shares
of common stock of the registrant issuable under the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan. Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration
Statement shall cover such additional securities as may be offered or issued to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) of
the Securities Act.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





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<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
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<TR>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d70196exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d70196exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d70196exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I<BR><BR>

SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information specified in Items 1 and 2 of Part&nbsp;I of this Registration Statement on Form
S-8 is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities
Act and the introductory note to Part&nbsp;I of the Registration Statement. The documents containing the
information specified in Part&nbsp;I will be delivered to the participants in the Archipelago Learning,
Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan covered by this Registration Statement as required by <font style="white-space: nowrap">Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1).</font>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II<BR><BR>

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Archipelago Learning, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference into this
Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s prospectus contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717), as amended, in which there is set
forth Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC&#146;s audited financial statements for the
year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s prospectus contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717), as amended, in which there is set
forth the Registrant&#146;s audited balance sheet as of September&nbsp;30, 2009; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717), as amended, which
description is incorporated by reference into the Form&nbsp;8-A filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;19, 2009, pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of further updating such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact
that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise), against expenses (including attorneys&#146;
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Section&nbsp;145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person
serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which
such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s bylaws authorize the indemnification of its officers and directors,
consistent with Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL, as amended. The Registrant intends to enter into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements,
among other things, will require the Registrant to indemnify each director and executive officer to
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as
attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive
officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us,
arising out of the person&#146;s services as a director or executive officer.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference is made to Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL, which enables a corporation in its
original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of a director for violations of the director&#146;s fiduciary duty, except (i)&nbsp;for any breach
of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii)&nbsp;pursuant to Section&nbsp;174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful
payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions or (iv)&nbsp;for any transaction from
which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant expects to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i)&nbsp;to
its directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or
other wrongful act and (ii)&nbsp;to the Registrant with respect to indemnification payments that it may
make to such directors and officers.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Legal Opinion of Weil, Gotshal &#038; Manges LLP (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Form of Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.36 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717)).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning, Inc. (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC (filed
herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Weil, Gotshal &#038; Manges LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;No.&nbsp;5.1).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included on signature page).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration
statement; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in the Registration Statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>provided</U>, <U>however</U>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply
if the registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration
Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <U>bona</U> <U>fide</U>
offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <U>bona</U> <U>fide</U>
offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on this 19<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of
November, 2009.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><B>ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:<BR>
Name:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Tim McEwen
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Tim McEwen
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Title:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of
Tim McEwen and James Walburg, or either of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and
in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements
filed pursuant to Rule&nbsp;462 under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as this 19<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of
November, 2009.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Tim McEwen
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Tim McEwen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James Walburg
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James Walburg
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<br>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Cameron Chalmers
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Cameron Chalmers
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Brian H. Hall
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Brian H. Hall
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David Muzzo
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David Muzzo
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David Phillips
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David Phillips
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael Powell
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael Powell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Peter Wilde
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter Wilde
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Legal Opinion of Weil, Gotshal &#038; Manges LLP (filed herewith).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717)).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.36 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (Reg. No.&nbsp;333-161717)).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning, Inc. (filed herewith).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC (filed
herewith).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Weil, Gotshal &#038; Manges LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;No.&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



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</DIV>



</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S–8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Archipelago Learning, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
27-0767387
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3400 Carlisle Street, Suite 345
Dallas, Texas 75204-1257
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC. 2009 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC. 2009 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full Title of Plan)
Tim McEwen
President and Chief Executive Officer
3400 Carlisle Street, Suite 345
Dallas, Texas 75204-1257
(860) 419-3191
(Name and Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
With a copy to:
Alexander D. Lynch, Esq.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
(212) 310-8000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated
filer" and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Amount to
Maximum Offering
Maximum Aggregate
Amount to
Title of Securities to be Registered
be Registered (1)
Price Per Share (2)
Offering Price (2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
2,698,172 shares
$16.50
$44,519,838
$2,484.21
(1)
The securities to be registered are 2,198,172 shares of common stock of the registrant
issuable under the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 500,000 shares
of common stock of the registrant issuable under the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan. Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), this Registration
Statement shall cover such additional securities as may be offered or issued to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) of
the Securities Act.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1
EX-23.1
EX-23.2
Table of Contents
PART I
SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information specified in Items 1 and 2 of Part I of this Registration Statement on Form
S-8 is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities
Act and the introductory note to Part I of the Registration Statement. The documents containing the
information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the Archipelago Learning,
Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan covered by this Registration Statement as required by
Rule 428(b)(1).
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Archipelago Learning, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby incorporates by reference into this
Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission:
•
The Registrant's prospectus contained in the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-161717), as amended, in which there is set
forth Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC's audited financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2008;
•
The Registrant's prospectus contained in the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-161717), as amended, in which there is set
forth the Registrant's audited balance sheet as of September 30, 2009; and
•
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-161717), as amended, which
description is incorporated by reference into the Form 8-A filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2009, pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of further updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
None.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation by reason of the fact
that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise), against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person
serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
Table of Contents
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney's fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which
such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
The Registrant's bylaws authorize the indemnification of its officers and directors,
consistent with Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended. The Registrant intends to enter into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements,
among other things, will require the Registrant to indemnify each director and executive officer to
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive
officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us,
arising out of the person's services as a director or executive officer.
Reference is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, which enables a corporation in its
original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal
liability of a director for violations of the director's fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach
of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful
payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions or (iv) for any transaction from
which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Registrant expects to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to
its directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or
other wrongful act and (ii) to the Registrant with respect to indemnification payments that it may
make to such directors and officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
5.1
Legal Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (filed herewith).
10.1
Form of Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. No. 333-161717)).
10.2
Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. No. 333-161717)).
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning, Inc. (filed herewith).
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC (filed
herewith).
23.3
Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit No. 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
2
Table of Contents
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;
(i)
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii)
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement; and
(iii)
to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided
,
however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply
if the registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration
Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on this 19
th
day of
November, 2009.
ARCHIPELAGO LEARNING, INC.
By:
Name:
/s/ Tim McEwen
Tim McEwen
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of
Tim McEwen and James Walburg, or either of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and
in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements
filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as this 19
th
day of
November, 2009.
Signature
Title
/s/ Tim McEwen
Tim McEwen
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ James Walburg
James Walburg
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Cameron Chalmers
Cameron Chalmers
Director
/s/ Brian H. Hall
Brian H. Hall
Director
/s/ David Muzzo
David Muzzo
Director
/s/ David Phillips
David Phillips
Director
/s/ Michael Powell
Michael Powell
Director
/s/ Peter Wilde
Peter Wilde
Chairman
4
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
No.
Description
5.1
Legal Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (filed herewith).
10.1
Form of Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. No. 333-161717)).
10.2
Archipelago Learning, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Reg. No. 333-161717)).
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning, Inc. (filed herewith).
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm, relating to Archipelago Learning Holdings, LLC (filed
herewith).
23.3
Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit No. 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
5