sc13g
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
American Public Education, Inc.
 
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
(Title of Class of Securities)
02913V103
 
(CUSIP Number)
December 31, 2007
 
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
o Rule 13d-1(b)
o Rule 13d-1(c)
þ Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the notes).
 
 

Page 1 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Camden Partners Strategic Manager, LLC
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  OO

Page 2 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Camden Partners Strategic III, LLC
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  OO

Page 3 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Camden Partners Strategic Fund III, L.P.
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  PN

Page 4 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Camden Partners Strategic Fund III-A, L.P.
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Delaware
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  PN

Page 5 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Richard M. Berkeley
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  United States
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  IN

Page 6 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Donald W. Hughes
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  United States
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  IN

Page 7 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
Richard M. Johnston
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  United States
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  IN

Page 8 of 16


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
02913V103 
13G  

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only).
David L. Warnock
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

  (a)   o
  (b)   þ
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  United States
       
  5   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 6   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,760,000
       
EACH 7   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 8   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,760,000
     
9   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,760,000
     
10   CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
   
  o
     
11   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
   
  10.0%
     
12   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
   
  IN

Page 9 of 16


 

Item 1.
     (a) Name of Issuer: American Public Education, Inc. (the “Issuer”)
     (b) Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices: 111 W. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV 25414
Item 2.
     (a) Name of Person Filing: This statement is filed on behalf of (each a “Reporting Person”): Camden Partners Strategic Fund III, L.P. (“Fund III”), Camden Partners Strategic Fund III-A, L.P. (“Fund III-A” and together with Fund III, the “Funds”), Camden Partners Strategic III, LLC (“CPS III”), Camden Partners Strategic Manager, LLC (“CPSM”), Richard M. Berkeley (“Berkeley”), Donald W. Hughes (“Hughes”), Richard M. Johnston (“Johnston”), and David L. Warnock (“Warnock”). Mr. Warnock is a director of the Issuer.
     (b) Address of Principal Business Office, or if none, Residence: 500 East Pratt Street, Suite 1200, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
     (c) Citizenship: The citizenship or place of organization of each of the Reporting Persons is set forth on the cover page.
     (d) Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock
     (e) CUSIP Number: 02913V103
Item 3.  If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-l(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
  (a)   o Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).
 
  (b)   o Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). ,
 
  (c)   o Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).
 
  (d)   o Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8).
 
  (e)   o An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-l(b)(1)(ii)(E);
 
  (f)   o An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F);
 
  (g)   o A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-I (b)(1)(ii)(G);
 
  (h)   o A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
 
  (i)   o A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
 
  (j)   o Group, in accordance with §240.13d-l(b)(1)(ii)(J).
Not applicable.
Item 4. Ownership:
Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

Page 10 of 16


 

     (a) Amount beneficially owned:
CPS III is the sole general partner of the Funds. CPSM is the managing member of CPS III. Berkeley, Hughes, Johnston and Warnock (collectively, the “Managing Members”) are the managing members of CPSM. The limited partnership agreement for each of the Funds provides that any securities that are acquired by both of the Funds shall be sold or otherwise disposed of at substantially the same time, on substantially the same terms and in amounts proportionate to the size of each of the Fund’s investments. The limited partnership agreement for Fund III-A provides that it will invest on a side-by-side basis with Fund III. Notwithstanding these provisions, there is no agreement between the Funds that provides the other with any right to enforce these provisions. The Funds and the Managing Members each disclaims being members of a group pursuant to Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act.
Because of their relationship as affiliated entities, each of the Funds may be deemed to own beneficially the securities held of record by the other. Each of the Funds hereby disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities not held of record by it. As the sole general partner of the Funds, CPS III may be deemed to own beneficially the securities held of record by each of the Funds. CPS III disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities held of record by each of the Funds, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. As the managing member of CPS III, CPSM may be deemed to own beneficially the securities held of record by each of the Funds. CPSM disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities held of record by each of the Funds, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. The Managing Members may be deemed to own beneficially the securities held of record by each of the Funds. Each of the Managing Members hereby disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities not held of record by him, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
Fund III is the holder of record of 1,689,776 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock. Fund III-A is the holder of record of 70,224 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock. Collectively, the Funds hold 1,760,000 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock.
     (b) Percent of class: All calculations of beneficial ownership percentages are based on the Issuer’s report of having 17,676,113 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2007, in the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed on November 21, 2007. The percentages of beneficial ownership reported herein reflect the beneficial ownership if each of the Reporting Persons is deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of the shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock held of record by the Funds.
         
 
  CPS III   10.0%
 
       
 
  CPSM   10.0%
 
       
 
  Fund III   10.0%
 
       
 
  Fund III-A   10.0%
 
       
 
  Berkeley   10.0%
 
       
 
  Hughes   10.0%
 
       
 
  Johnston   10.0%
 
       
 
  Warnock   10.0%

Page 11 of 16


 

     (c) Number of shares as to which the person has:
  (i)   Sole power to vote or to direct the vote
         
 
  CPS III   0
 
       
 
  CPSM   0
 
       
 
  Fund III   0
 
       
 
  Fund III-A   0
 
       
 
  Berkeley   0
 
       
 
  Hughes   0
 
       
 
  Johnston   0
 
       
 
  Warnock   0
  (ii)   Shared power to vote or to direct the vote
         
 
  CPS III   1,760,000
 
       
 
  CPSM   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Fund III   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Fund III-A   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Berkeley   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Hughes   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Johnston   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Warnock   1,760,000
  (iii)   Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
         
 
  CPS III   0
 
       
 
  CPSM   0
 
       
 
  Fund III   0
 
       
 
  Fund III-A   0
 
       
 
  Berkeley   0
 
       
 
  Hughes   0
 
       
 
  Johnston   0
 
       
 
  Warnock   0

Page 12 of 16


 

  (iv)   Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
         
 
  CPS III   1,760,000
 
       
 
  CPSM   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Fund III   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Fund III-A   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Berkeley   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Hughes   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Johnston   1,760,000
 
       
 
  Warnock   1,760,000
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following o.
Not Applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Not Applicable.
Item 7.  Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
Not Applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
Not Applicable.
Item 10. Certification
Not Applicable.

Page 13 of 16


 

Exhibits
     Exhibit 1 – Agreement regarding filing of joint Schedule 13G (attached).
     Exhibit 2 – Power of Attorney for Richard M. Berkeley (previously filed as Exhibit 4 to Schedule 13G filed with respect to Pharmanetics, Inc. on May 12, 2003, incorporated herein by reference).
     Exhibit 3 – Power of Attorney for Richard M. Johnston (previously filed as Exhibit 3 to Schedule 13G filed with respect to Pharmanetics, Inc. on May 12, 2003, incorporated herein by reference).
     Exhibit 4 – Power of Attorney for David L. Warnock (previously filed as Exhibit 2 to Schedule 13D/A filed with respect to Concorde Career Colleges, Inc. on February 25, 2003, incorporated herein by reference).

Page 14 of 16


 

SIGNATURE
     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: February 14, 2008
         
  Camden Partners Strategic Fund III, L.P.


By: Camden Partners Strategic III, LLC, its sole
         general partner
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes    
  Name:   Donald W. Hughes   
  Title:   Managing Member   
 
         
  Camden Partners Strategic Fund III-A, L.P.


By: Camden Partners Strategic III, LLC, its sole
         general partner
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes    
  Name:   Donald W. Hughes   
  Title:   Managing Member   
 
         
  Camden Partners Strategic III, LLC


By: Camden Partners Strategic Manager, LLC, its
         sole manager
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes    
  Name:   Donald W. Hughes   
  Title:   Managing Member   

Page 15 of 16


 

         
         
  Camden Partners Strategic Manager, LLC
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes    
  Name:   Donald W. Hughes   
  Title:   Managing Member   
         
  Richard M. Berkeley
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes, Attorney-in-Fact    
     
         
  Donald W. Hughes
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes    
     
         
  Richard M. Johnston
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes, Attorney-in-Fact    
     
         
  David L. Warnock
 
 
  /s/ Donald W. Hughes, Attorney-in-Fact    
     
     

Page 16 of 16