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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001362310-09-004303.txt : 20090325
<SEC-HEADER>0001362310-09-004303.hdr.sgml : 20090325
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090325164549
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001362310-09-004303
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090319
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090325
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090325

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001434588
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200]
		IRS NUMBER:				203356009
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34211
		FILM NUMBER:		09704446

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 W. CAMELBACK ROAD
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		602-639-7500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3300 W. CAMELBACK ROAD
		CITY:			PHOENIX
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85017
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c83063e8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="margin-left: 0.25in; width: 7.2in;font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&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>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 19, 2009</B></DIV>

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

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</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="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>001-34211
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>20-3356009</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Commission File Number)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</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="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>3300 W. Camelback Road<BR>
Phoenix, Arizona
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>&nbsp;<BR>85017</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B> (602) 639-7500 </B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>&nbsp;</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </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="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<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>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio --> </DIV>
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 10pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="7%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify"><U><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers: Election of Directors; Appointment of
Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B></U><B>.</B></DIV></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">On March&nbsp;19, 2009, the compensation committee of the board of directors of Grand Canyon
Education, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) adopted a performance-based cash bonus plan (the &#147;Bonus Plan&#148;) for
the Company&#146;s named executive officers and other eligible senior management team members for the
2009 fiscal year. Under the Bonus Plan, a participant&#146;s bonus will be based on the Company&#146;s
achievement of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) targets, as well as the participant&#146;s
achievement of individual performance goals. Depending on a participant&#146;s level, the financial
metrics will account for between 60% and 80% of the target bonus and the specific individual
performance goals will account for between 20% to 40% of the target bonus. For purposes of the
Bonus Plan, Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense net of interest income,
plus income tax expense, and plus depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted for (i)
royalty payments incurred pursuant to an agreement with our former owner that has been terminated
as of April&nbsp;15, 2008; (ii)&nbsp;share-based compensation accrued pursuant to Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No.&nbsp;123 (revised 2004) &#147;Share Based Payment,&#148; and any other GAAP expense
related to equity compensation awards for the 2009 fiscal year; (iii)&nbsp;any extraordinary,
nonrecurring items, as determined in accordance with APB Opinion No.&nbsp;30; and (iv)&nbsp;all amounts
(including settlement payments, legal fees, costs and other litigation and/or settlement expenses)
expensed during the 2009 fiscal year in connection with the settlement of litigation matters.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Under the Bonus Plan, the compensation committee has established a target bonus for each of
the named executive officers and eligible senior management. The target bonus has been set at 100%
of base salary for Brian E. Mueller, our Chief Executive Officer, and 50% of base salary for each
of Daniel E. Bachus, our Chief Financial Officer, Dr.&nbsp;W. Stan Meyer, our Executive Vice President,
and Dr.&nbsp;Kathy Player, President of Grand Canyon University. For each of these named executive
officers, the financial metrics will account for 80% of the target bonus, with the revenue target
and the Adjusted EBITDA target accounting for 37.5% and 62.5% of such 80%, respectively, and the
specific individual performance goals will account for 20% of the target bonus. The actual
percentage is determined on the basis of the Company&#146;s achievement of the revenue and Adjusted
EBITDA targets that the compensation committee established for the 2009 fiscal year. With respect
to these targets, the threshold goal was set using the Company&#146;s budget for the 2009 fiscal year.
For participants to earn any payout under the Bonus Plan, the Company must achieve a threshold of
95% of budgeted revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. Assuming these thresholds are achieved, payouts will
be made based on a minimum of 95% of budgeted revenue and Adjusted EBITDA and a maximum of 105% of
budgeted revenue and 107% of Adjusted EBITDA. Performance between minimum and maximum levels
result in prorated payments to plan participants using straight-line interpolation.
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">Shown below is a summary of the matrix:
</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="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Goal</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Threshold</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Target</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Revenue Goal</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">95% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">100% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">105% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Adjusted EBITDA</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">95% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">100% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="right">107% of budget</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff; padding-top: 1px">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Pay-Out as % of Target Bonus</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">50</TD>
    <TD nowrap>%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">100</TD>
    <TD nowrap>%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">150</TD>
    <TD nowrap>%</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Under the Bonus Plan, the actual bonus that each of these named executive officers could earn
for the 2009 fiscal year ranges from 0% to a maximum of 140% of his or her annual target bonus
(with such maximum achieved by obtaining the maximum payout for achieving the financial metrics
(80% * 150%) and achieving the individual goals (an additional 20%). To illustrate how the 2009
fiscal year Bonus Plan functions, assume that a named executive officer&#146;s base salary for 2009 is
$300,000 and that the target bonus is 50% of base salary. Of this target bonus of $150,000,
$45,000 (or 37.5% of the 80% subject to achievement of the financial metrics) would be based upon
the Company&#146;s achievement of the revenue target, $75,000 (or 62.5% of the 80% subject to the
achievement of the financial metrics) would be based on the Company&#146;s achievement of the Adjusted
EBITDA target, and $30,000 (20%) would be based on the participant&#146;s achievement of his or her
individual performance goals. If the revenue target is achieved at the threshold level (so only 50%
of the revenue component is payable at that level), the Adjusted EBITDA target is achieved at the
maximum level (so that 150% of the Adjusted EBITDA component is payable at that level), and the
specific individual performance goals are met, the participant would be entitled to a potential
bonus of $165,000 (calculated as $22,500 plus $112,500 plus $30,000).
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">The Bonus Plan for eligible senior management other than the named executive officers is
similar to the above, except that, for participant&#146;s below the named executive officer level, the
bonus will be calculated based on two six-month cycles, such that the determination of the bonus
payable for the first half of fiscal 2009 will be determined on the basis of the achievement of the
revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and individual performance targets established for each period.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">&nbsp;

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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">Effective September&nbsp;1, 2008, the Company appointed Dr.&nbsp;Kathy Player as President of Grand
Canyon University. In preparation for the filing of the Company&#146;s proxy statement relating to its
2009 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company determined that Dr.&nbsp;Player will be a named
executive officer, as that phrase is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, in 2009. A
copy of the employment agreement that we entered into with Dr.&nbsp;Player is attached hereto as Exhibit
10.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. </B><U><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits</B></U><B>.</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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="92%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">

    <TD align="left" valign="top">10.1</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Employment Agreement between Grand Canyon Education, Inc. and Dr.&nbsp;Kathy Player, dated
September&nbsp;1, 2008</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

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


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Date: March 25, 2009&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Daniel E. Bachus
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Daniel E. Bachus&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left" nowrap>Chief Financial Officer<br>
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting  Officer)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">EXHIBIT INDEX
</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="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR><TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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">Employment Agreement between Grand Canyon Education, Inc. and Dr.&nbsp;Kathy Player, dated September&nbsp;1, 2008</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>c83063exv10w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Exhibit 10.1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;10.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT<BR>
(President)</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">This Executive Employment Agreement (the &#147;Agreement&#148;) is entered into on September&nbsp;1, 2008, by and
between Grand Canyon Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), and Dr.&nbsp;Kathy Player
(&#147;Executive&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">The parties agree as follows:
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">1.&nbsp;<U>Employment</U>. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such
employment, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">2.&nbsp;<U>Duties</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">2.1 <U>Position</U>. Executive is employed as President of the University and shall
have the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Company&#146;s Executive Chairman or Chief
Executive Officer as may be reasonably assigned from time to time. Executive shall perform
faithfully and diligently all duties assigned to Executive. The Company reserves the right to
modify Executive&#146;s position and duties at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, except that
any material diminution in Executive&#146;s duties shall be subject to Section&nbsp;7.3(ii) below.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">2.2 <U>Best Efforts/Full-time</U>. Executive will expend Executive&#146;s best efforts on behalf
of the Company, and will abide by all policies and decisions made by the Company, as well as all
applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations or ordinances. Executive will act in the best
interest of the Company at all times. Executive shall devote Executive&#146;s full business time and
efforts to the performance of Executive&#146;s assigned duties for the Company, unless Executive
notifies the Company in advance of Executive&#146;s intent to engage in other paid work and receives the
Company&#146;s express written consent to do so. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will be
permitted to serve as an outside director on the board of directors for corporate, civic, nonprofit
or charitable entities, so long as Executive obtains the consent of the Company and provided such
entities are not competitive with the Company and subject to the provisions of section 9 below.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">2.3 <U>Work Location</U>. Executive&#146;s principal place of work shall be located in Phoenix,
Arizona, or such other location as the Company may direct from time to time.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">3.&nbsp;<U>Term</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">3.1 <U>Initial Term</U>. The employment relationship pursuant to this Agreement shall be
for an initial term commencing on September&nbsp;1, 2008 (the &#147;Effective Date&#148;) and continuing for a
period of four (4)&nbsp;years following such date (&#147;lnitial Term&#148;), unless sooner terminated in
accordance with section 7 below.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">3.2 <U>Renewal</U>. On expiration of the Initial Term specified in subsection 3.1 above,
this Agreement will automatically renew for subsequent one (1)&nbsp;year terms (each a &#147;<U>Renewal
Term</U>&#148;) unless either party provides thirty (30)&nbsp;days&#146; advance written notice to the other that
the Company or Executive does not wish to renew the Agreement for subsequent Renewal Term. In the
event either party gives notice of nonrenewal pursuant to this subsection 3.2, this Agreement will
expire at the end of the then current term. The lnitial Term and each subsequent Renewal Term are
referred to collectively as the &#147;<U>Term</U>&#148;.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">4.&nbsp;<U>Compensation</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">4.1 <U>Base Salary</U>. As compensation for Executive&#146;s performance of Executive&#146;s duties
hereunder, the Company shall pay to Executive an initial Base Salary at the rate of Two-Hundred
Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000) per year payable in accordance with the normal payroll
practices of the Company, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social
security and all other employment taxes and payroll deductions. In the event Executive&#146;s employment
under this Agreement is terminated by either party, for any reason, Executive will earn the Base
Salary prorated to the date of termination, except as otherwise set forth herein. Executive&#146;s Base
Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors
(the &#147;<U>Compensation Committee</U>&#148;).
</DIV>
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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">4.2 <U>Incentive Compensation</U>. For the fiscal year of the Company ending December&nbsp;31,
2008, and provided Executive remains employed with the Company as of such date, Executive will be
eligible to receive a bonus equal to Sixty-Eight Thousand Seven- Hundred Fifty Dollars ($68,750.00)
unless the company does not complete an IPO in which case Executive will receive a bonus similar to
the bonus paid to other members of the Company&#146;s Cabinet. Thereafter, Executive will be eligible to
earn incentive compensation in the form of an annual bonus for each fiscal year of the Company with
a target amount of fifty percent (50%) of Executive&#146;s Base Salary. The Compensation Committee will
determine the actual amount of the bonus earned for any year, which will be based upon both the
Company&#146;s achievement of overall performance metrics for the year and Executive&#146;s achievement of
individual performance metrics as agreed upon by the Compensation Committee and the Executive. The
Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, increase the Executive&#146;s annual bonus above
fifty percent (50%) of Base Salary if it determines that the performance of both the Executive and
the Company significantly exceed the predetermined metrics. Bonus amounts, if any, are to be
awarded annually and payment shall be made within two and one-half months following the end of the
applicable Company fiscal year.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">5.&nbsp;<U>Customary Fringe Benefits</U>. Executive will be eligible for all customary and usual
fringe benefits generally available to senior management of the Company, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Company&#146;s benefit plan documents. The Company reserves the right to change or
eliminate fringe benefits on a prospective basis, at any time, effective upon notice to Executive.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">6.&nbsp;<U>Business Expenses</U>. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable, out-of-pocket
business expenses incurred in the performance of Executive&#146;s duties on behalf of the Company. To
obtain reimbursement, expenses must be submitted promptly with appropriate supporting documentation
and will be reimbursed in accordance with the Company&#146;s policies. Any reimbursement Executive is
entitled to receive shall (a)&nbsp;be paid no later than the last day of Executive&#146;s tax year following
the tax year in which the expense was incurred, (b)&nbsp;not be affected by any other expenses that are
eligible for reimbursement in any tax year, and (c)&nbsp;not be subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">7.&nbsp;<U>Termination of Executive&#146;s Employment</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.1 <U>Termination for Cause by Company</U>. Although the Company anticipates a mutually
rewarding employment relationship with Executive, the Company may terminate Executive&#146;s employment
immediately at any time for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, &#147;<U>Cause</U>&#148; is defined as:
(a)&nbsp;acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part
of Executive with respect to Executive&#146;s obligations or otherwise relating to the business of the
Company; (b)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s material breach of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any
breach of Section&nbsp;8, Section&nbsp;9, or Section&nbsp;11; (c)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s breach of the Company&#146;s Employee
Nondisclosure and Assignment Agreement; (d)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s conviction or entry of a plea of nolo
contendere for fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, or any felony or crime of moral turpitude;
(e)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s inability to perform the essential functions of Executive&#146;s position, with or
without reasonable accommodation, due to a mental or physical disability; (f)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s willful
neglect of duties as determined in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board of Directors,
provided that Executive has received written notice of the action or omission giving rise to such
determination and has failed to remedy such situation to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors
within thirty (30)&nbsp;days following receipt of such written notice, unless Executive&#146;s action or
omission is not subject to cure, in which case no such notice shall be required, or (g)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s
death. In the event Executive&#146;s employment is terminated in accordance with this subsection 7.1,
Executive shall be entitled to receive only Executive&#146;s Base Salary then in effect, prorated to the
date of termination, and all fringe benefits through the date of termination. All other Company
obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be automatically terminated and completely
extinguished. Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance Package described in
subsection 7.2 below. Any termination pursuant to
this subsection 7.1 shall be evidenced by a resolution or written consent of the Board of Directors
of the Company, and the Company shall provide Executive with a copy of such resolution or written
consent, certified by the Secretary of the Company, upon Executive&#146;s written request.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.2 <U>Termination Without Cause by Company/Severance</U>. The Company may terminate
Executive&#146;s employment under this Agreement without Cause at any time upon written notice to
Executive. In the event of such termination, Executive will receive Executive&#146;s Base Salary then in
effect, prorated to the date of termination of employment. In addition, Executive will receive a
&#147;<U>Severance Package</U>&#148; that shall include (a)&nbsp;a severance payment equivalent to twelve (12)
months of Executive&#146;s Base Salary then in effect on the date of termination, payable in accordance
with the Company&#146;s regular payroll cycle commencing with the first payroll date occurring on or
after the 60th day following the date of Executive&#146;s termination of employment, and (b)&nbsp;payment by
the Company of the premiums required to continue Executive&#146;s group health care coverage for a
period of twelve (1 2) months following Executive&#146;s termination, under the applicable provisions of
the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (&#147;<U>COBRA</U>&#148;), provided that Executive
timely elects to continue and remains eligible for these benefits under COBRA, and does not become
eligible for health coverage through another employer during this period. Executive will only
receive the Severance Package if Executive: (i)&nbsp;complies with all surviving provisions of this
Agreement as specified in subsection 14.8 below; and (ii)&nbsp;executes a full general release,
releasing
all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against the Company arising out of or
any way related to Executive&#146;s employment or termination of employment with the Company, and such
release has become effective in accordance with its terms prior to the 60th day following the
termination date. All other Company obligations to Executive will be automatically terminated and
completely extinguished.
</DIV>
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<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.3 <U>Voluntary Resignation by Executive for Good Reason/Severance</U>. Executive may
voluntarily resign Executive&#146;s position with the Company for Good Reason at any time on thirty (30)
days&#146; advance written notice to the Company. In the event of Executive&#146;s resignation for Good
Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive Executive&#146;s Base Salary then in effect, prorated to
the date of termination of employment, and the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 above,
provided Executive complies with all of the conditions described in subsection 7.2 above. All other
Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be automatically terminated and
completely extinguished. Executive will be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason if Executive
voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company within ninety (90)&nbsp;days following the first
occurrence of a condition constituting Good Reason. &#147;<U>Good Reason</U>&#148; means the occurrence of
any of the following conditions without Executive&#146;s written consent, which condition(s) remain(s)
in effect thirty (30)&nbsp;days after Executive provides written notice to the Company of such
condition(s): (i)&nbsp;a material reduction in Executive&#146;s Base Salary as then in effect prior to such
reduction, other than as part of a salary reduction program among similar management employees,
(ii)&nbsp;a material diminution
in Executive&#146;s authority, duties or responsibilities as an employee of the Company as they existed
prior to such change, or (iii)&nbsp;a relocation of Executive&#146;s principal place of work which increases
Executive&#146;s one-way commute distance by more than fifty (50)&nbsp;miles. Executive will be deemed to
have given consent to any condition(s) described in this subsection if Executive does not provide
written notice to the Company of his intent to exercise his rights pursuant to this subsection
within thirty (30)&nbsp;days following the first occurrence of such condition(s).
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.4 <U>Voluntary Resignation by Executive Without Good Reason</U>. Executive may
voluntarily resign Executive&#146;s position with the Company without Good Reason at any time on thirty
(30)&nbsp;days&#146; advance written notice to the Company. In the event of Executive&#146;s resignation without
Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive only Executive&#146;s Base Salary, prorated to the
date of termination of employment, and all fringe benefits through the date of termination. All
other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be automatically terminated
and completely extinguished. In addition, Executive will not be entitled to receive the Severance
Package described in subsection 7.2 above.
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">7.5 <U>Termination After a Change in Control</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(a)&nbsp;<U>Severance Payment; Option Vesting Acceleration</U>. If, upon or within twelve (12)
months after a Change in Control (as that term is defined below), Executive&#146;s employment is
terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in subsection 7.1 above) or Executive
resigns for Good Reason (as defined in subsection 7.3 above), then (i)&nbsp;Executive shall be entitled
to receive (A)&nbsp;Executive&#146;s Base Salary, prorated to the date of termination of employment, and (B)
the Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 above, provided Executive complies with all of
the conditions described in subsection 7.2 above, and (ii)&nbsp;to the extent not yet vested, any stock
options or other equity grants granted to Executive by the Company shall vest in full as of the
date of such termination of employment, provided Executive complies with the conditions described
in subsection 7.2 above.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(b)&nbsp;<U>Parachute Payments</U>. If, due to the benefits provided under subsection 7.5(a) and
any other payments or benefits, Executive would be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#147;Code&#148;) due to characterization of any
such amounts as excess parachute payments pursuant to Section&nbsp;280G of the Code, the amounts payable
under subsection 7.5(a) will be reduced (to the least extent possible) in order to avoid any
&#147;excess parachute payment&#148; under Section&nbsp;280G(b)(l) of the Code.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(c)&nbsp;<U>Change in Control</U>. A Change in Control is defined as any one of the following
occurrences:
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(i)&nbsp;Any &#147;person&#148; (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the &#147;<U>Exchange Act</U>&#148;)), becomes the &#147;beneficial owner&#148; (as such term is defined
in Rule&nbsp;13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total combined
voting power of the Company&#146;s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors; provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have
occurred if such degree of beneficial ownership results from any of the following: (A)&nbsp;an
acquisition of securities by any person who on the Effective Date is the beneficial owner of more
than fifty percent (50%) of such voting power, (B)&nbsp;any acquisition of securities directly from the
Company, including, without limitation, pursuant to or in connection with a public offering of
securities, (C)&nbsp;any acquisition of securities by the Company, (D)&nbsp;any acquisition of securities by
a trustee or other fiduciary under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or (E)&nbsp;any acquisition
of securities by an entity owned
directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of the voting securities of the Company; or
</DIV>
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<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(ii)&nbsp;the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company&#146;s assets (other than
a sale or disposition to one or more subsidiaries of the Company), or any transaction having
similar effect is consummated; or
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 8%">(iii)&nbsp;the Company is party to a merger or consolidation that results in the holders of voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto failing to continue to represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving
entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 8%">(iv)&nbsp;the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.6 <U>Termination of Employment Upon Nonrenewal</U>. In the event either party decides not
to renew this Agreement for a subsequent term in accordance with subsection 3.2 above, this
Agreement will expire, Executive&#146;s employment with the Company will terminate and Executive will
only be entitled to Executive&#146;s Base Salary then in effect paid through the last day of the then
current term. All other Company obligations to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will be
automatically terminated and completely extinguished. Executive will not be entitled to receive the
Severance Package described in subsection 7.2 above, but shall be subject to the surviving
provisions of this Agreement as set forth in section 14.8 below.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">7.7 <U>Resignation of Board or Other Positions</U>. Executive agrees that should
Executive&#146;s employment terminate for any reason, Executive will immediately resign all other
positions (including board membership) Executive may hold on behalf of the Company.
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">7.8 <U>Application of Section&nbsp;409A</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(a)&nbsp;Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, no amount payable
pursuant to this Agreement on account of Executive&#146;s termination of employment with the Company
which constitutes a &#147;deferral of compensation&#148; within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations
issued pursuant to Section&nbsp;409A of the Code (the &#147;<U>Section&nbsp;409A Regulations</U>&#148;) shall be paid
unless and until Executive has incurred a &#147;separation from service&#148; within the meaning of the
Section&nbsp;409A Regulations. Furthermore, if Executive is a &#147;specified employee&#148; within the meaning of
the Section&nbsp;409A Regulations as of the date of Executive&#146;s separation from service, no amount that
constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of Executive&#146;s separation from
service shall be paid to Executive before the date (the &#147;<U>Delayed Payment Date</U>&#148;) which is
first day of the seventh month after the date of Executive&#146;s separation from service or, if
earlier, the date of Executive&#146;s death following such separation from service. All such amounts
that would, but for this subsection, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be
accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(b)&nbsp;The Company intends that income provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement will not
be subject to taxation under Section&nbsp;409A of the Code. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
interpreted and construed in favor of satisfying any applicable requirements of Section&nbsp;409A of the
Code. However, the Company does not guarantee any particular tax effect for income provided to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement. In any event, except for the Company&#146;s responsibility to
withhold applicable income and employment taxes from compensation paid or provided to Executive,
the Company shall not be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes incurred by Executive
on compensation paid or provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">8.&nbsp;<U>No Violation of Rights of Third Parties</U>. Executive represents and warrants to the
Company that Executive is not currently a party, and will not become a party, to any other
agreement that is in conflict with, or will prevent Executive from complying with, with this
Agreement. Executive further represents and warrants to the Company that Executive&#146;s performance of
all of the terms of this Agreement as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach any
agreement to keep in confidence any proprietary information, knowledge, or data acquired by
Executive in confidence or trust prior to Executive&#146;s employment with the Company. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the representations and warranties in this Section&nbsp;8 are a material
part of this Agreement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">9.&nbsp;<U>Other Covenants</U>. Executive hereby makes the following covenants, each of which
Executive acknowledges and agrees are a material part of this Agreement:
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">9.1 During the Term of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company, Executive will not (a)&nbsp;breach
any agreement to keep in confidence any confidential or proprietary information, knowledge or data
acquired by Executive prior to Executive&#146;s employment with Company, or (b)&nbsp;disclose to the Company,
or use or induce the Company to use, any confidential or proprietary
information or material belonging to any previous employer or any other third party. Executive
acknowledges that the Company has specifically instructed Executive not to breach any such
agreement or make any such disclosures to the Company.
</DIV>
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<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">9.2 During the Term of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company, Executive will not engage in
any work or activity, paid or unpaid, that creates an actual conflict of interest with the Company.
Such work shall include, but is not limited to, directly or indirectly competing with the Company
in any way, or acting as an officer, director, employee, consultant, stockholder, volunteer,
lender, or agent of any business enterprise of the same nature as, or which is in direct
competition with, the business in which the Company is now engaged or in which the Company becomes
engaged during the term of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company, as may be determined by the
Company in its sole discretion. If the Company believes such a conflict exists during the term of
this Agreement, the Company may ask Executive to choose to discontinue the other work or activity
or resign employment with the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">9.3 During the Term of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company and after the termination
thereof, neither Executive nor the Company will disparage each other, or the Company&#146;s products,
services, agents or employees.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">9.4 During the Term of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company and after the termination
thereof, at the Company&#146;s expense and upon its reasonable request, Executive will cooperate and
assist the Company in its defense or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims,
charges, or complaints between the Company and any third party, which assistance will include
testifying on the Company&#146;s behalf in connection with any such matter or performing any other task
reasonably requested by the Company in connection therewith.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">10.&nbsp;<U>Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights</U>. Executive agrees to read, sign and abide
by the Company&#146;s Employee Nondisclosure and Assignment Agreement, which is provided with this
Agreement and incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">11.&nbsp;<U>Non-Competition; Nonsolicitation of Company&#146;s Employees</U>. Executive acknowledges
that in the course of his employment with the Company he will serve as a member of the Company&#146;s
senior management and will become familiar with the Company&#146;s trade secrets and with other
confidential and proprietary information and that his services will be of special, unique and
extraordinary value to the Company. Executive further acknowledges that the Company&#146;s business, a
substantial portion of which is conducted online, is national in scope and that the Company, in the
course of such business, recruits students and faculty throughout the United States, works with
vendors throughout the United States, and competes with other companies located throughout the
United States. Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, Executive agrees that, during the
Term, and during the twelve-month (12)&nbsp;month period following the Term, he shall not directly or
indirectly anywhere within the United States of America (a)&nbsp;own (except ownership of less than 1%
of any class of securities which are listed for trading on any securities exchange or which are
traded in the over-the-counter market), manage, control, participate in, consult with, render
services for, be employed by, or in any manner engage in the operation of (i)&nbsp;a for-profit,
post-secondary education institution, or (ii)&nbsp;any other business of the Company in which Executive
had significant involvement prior to Executive&#146;s separation; (b)&nbsp;solicit funds on behalf of, or for
the benefit of, any for-profit, postsecondary education institution (other than the Company) or any
other entity that competes with the Company; (c)&nbsp;solicit individuals who are current or prospective
students of the Company to be students for any other for-profit, post-secondary education
institution; (d)&nbsp;induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the
Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company and any employee
thereof, or (e)&nbsp;induce or attempt to induce any student, customer, supplier, licensee or other
business relation of the Company to cease doing business with, or modify its business relationship
with, the Company, or in any way interfere with or hinder the relationship between any such
student, customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">12.&nbsp;<U>Injunctive Relief</U>. Executive acknowledges that Executive&#146;s breach of the
covenants contained in sections 9-1 1 hereof (collectively &#147;<U>Covenants</U>&#148;) would cause
irreparable injury to the Company and agrees that in the event of any such breach, the Company
shall be entitled to seek temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief without the
necessity of proving actual damages or posting any bond or other security in addition to any other
relief to which the Company may be entitled and other remedies Company may exercise under this
Agreement or otherwise.
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">13. <U>Insurance; Indemnification</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">13.1 During the Term of Executive&#146;s employment hereunder, Executive will be covered by the
Company&#146;s director and officer insurance policy to the same extent as all other senior executive
officers of the Company.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 12%">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">13.2 Following the execution of this Agreement, the Company will execute and deliver a
director and officer indemnification agreement with Executive in a form approved by the Board of
Directors for the senior executive officers of the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">14.&nbsp;<U>General Provisions</U>.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.1 <U>Successors and Assigns</U>. The rights and obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
Company. Executive shall not be entitled to assign any of Executive&#146;s rights or obligations under
this Agreement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.2 <U>Waiver</U>. Either party&#146;s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall
not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter
from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.3 <U>Attorneys&#146; Fees</U>. In the event of a dispute involving the interpretation or
enforcement of this Agreement, a court shall award attorneys&#146; fees and costs to the prevailing
party.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.4 <U>Severability</U>. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed modified to the
extent necessary to allow enforceability of the provision as so limited, it being intended that the
parties shall receive the benefit contemplated herein to the fullest extent permitted by law. If a
deemed modification is not satisfactory in the judgment of such court, the unenforceable provision
shall be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not
be affected thereby.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.5 <U>Interpretation; Construction</U>. The headings set forth in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Agreement has been
drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but Executive has participated in the
negotiation of its terms. Furthermore, Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity
to review and revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and,
therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved
against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.6 <U>Governing Law; Forum</U>. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Arizona . Each party consents to the
jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts in Phoenix, Arizona, if applicable, in any
action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and agrees that the state
or federal courts in Phoenix, Arizona shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising
between the parties related to this Agreement or Executive&#146;s employment with the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.7 <U>Notices</U>. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be delivered as follows with notice deemed given as indicated: (a)&nbsp;by personal delivery
when delivered personally; (b)&nbsp;by overnight courier upon written verification of receipt; (c)&nbsp;by
telecopy or facsimile transmission upon acknowledgment of receipt of electronic transmission; or
(d)&nbsp;by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon verification of receipt. Notice
shall be sent to the addresses set forth under the signatures below, or such other address as
either party may specify in writing.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">14.8 <U>Survival</U>. Sections&nbsp;9 (&#147;Other Covenants&#148;), 10 (&#147;Confidentiality and Proprietary
Rights&#148;), 11 (&#147;Non-Competition; Nonsolicitation&#148;), 12 (&#147;Injunctive Relief&#148;), 13 (&#147;Insurance;
Indemnification&#148;), 14 (&#147;General Provisions&#148;) and 15 (&#147;Entire Agreement&#148;) of this Agreement shall
survive termination of Executive&#146;s employment with the Company.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">15.&nbsp;<U>Entire Agreement</U>. This Agreement, including the Employee Nondisclosure and
Assignment Agreement incorporated herein by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties relating to this subject matter and supersedes all prior or simultaneous representations,
discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether written or oral. This agreement may be amended
or modified only with the written consent of Executive and the Board. No oral waiver, amendment or
modification will be effective under any circumstances whatsoever.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">THE PARTIES TO THlS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY
PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THlS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN
BELOW.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="37%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>DR. KATHY PLAYER</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Dated: September 1, 2008&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Dr. Kathy Player
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<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" colspan="1">Address:</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">3300 W. Camelback Road</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <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"><DIV style="border-top: 0px solid #000000">Phoenix, Arizona 85017</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">Dated: September 1, 2008&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Brian E. Mueller
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Brian E. Mueller&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" colspan="2">Address:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">3300 West Camelback Road<BR>
Phoenix, Arizona 85017</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->7<!-- /Folio -->
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