Treasury Stock (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2010	Oct. 27, 2010
Original Authorization Amount	$ 200.0
Common Shares Purchased (in Shares)	5,199,699
Common Shares Purchase Price Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$ 30.00
Purchase Of Common Stock Value Excluding Related Fees and Expenses	156.0
Purchase of Shares, Percentage of Common Shares Outstanding		15.10%
Fees Related To Shares Purchase	$ 1.2

Common shares purchased under modified tender offer as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

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The dollar amount of common shares purchase price per share.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_CommonSharesPurchasePricePerShare
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The amount of fees and expenses related to shares purchases during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_FeesRelatedToSharesPurchase
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Original authorization amount.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_OriginalAuthorizationAmount
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of purchase of common stock excluding related fees and expenses as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_PurchaseOfCommonStockValueExcludingRelatedFeesAndExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Purchase of Shares, Percentage of Common Shares Outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_PurchaseOfSharesPercentageOfCommonSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant