``We have wanted to expand into the vibrant and growing Southern California market for a long time. Our experience running the Merryhill School in Coto de Caza, CA, since 1996 has shown us how successful and profitable this market can be, and we are looking forward to implementing our expansion plans,'' said A. Jack Clegg, chairman and chief executive officer of Media, PA-based Nobel. ``Our experience in the market has shown that there is a growing demand for a high-quality, affordable alternative to the struggling California public elementary school system, and we plan on providing that alternative."

Nobel expects to open at least 12 schools within the next few years. The schools will have a capacity to educate nearly 2,500 students. The company also plans on opening multi-school campuses, which may house combination schools, stand alone pre-k and Paladin academies.

The new schools will be located in Orange, San Diego, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Imperial, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties, where there is a dearth of affordable private education, Clegg said.