Severance and Exit Costs (Detail) - Schedule of accrued severance (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011	May 31, 2011
Beginning balance		$ 1.5	$ 1.9	$ 3.4	$ 3.4
Accruals	3.9	1.2	12.2	4.3	6.7
Payments			(12.9)	(6.2)	(8.2)
Ending balance	$ 1.2	$ 1.5	$ 1.2	$ 1.5	$ 1.9

The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_Severance
Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration