CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 104,144	$ 123,482	$ 309,380	$ 397,064
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	51,569	57,419	153,148	171,054
Selling, general and administrative	53,282	60,732	165,486	192,858
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	8	(3)	(32)	5
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	0	10,377	23,683	10,377
School closing costs	1,746	0	1,746	0
Total costs & expenses	106,605	128,525	344,031	374,294
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(2,461)	(5,043)	(34,651)	22,770
OTHER:
Interest income	0	2	2	8
Interest expense	(1,051)	(1,091)	(3,412)	(3,277)
Other income	3	4	14	17
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(3,509)	(6,128)	(38,047)	19,518
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(2,025)	(2,202)	(12,800)	8,158
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (1,484)	$ (3,926)	$ (25,247)	$ 11,360
Basic
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.18)	$ (1.14)	$ 0.52
Diluted
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.18)	$ (1.14)	$ 0.51
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	21,995,977
Diluted (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	22,153,278