Debt (Detail) - Schedule of debt (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	$ 153.4	$ 159.3	$ 200.0
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	154.2	161.9	200.4
Less lines of credit, short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	(0.6)	(6.5)	(47.4)
Less lines of credit, short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	(0.6)	(6.5)	(47.4)
Total long-term debt	152.8	152.8	152.6
Total long-term debt	153.6	155.4	153.0
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	0.6	6.5	7.9
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	0.6	6.5	7.9
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding			39.5
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding			39.5
Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	152.8	152.8	152.6
Debt Long Term And Short Term Outstanding	$ 153.6	$ 155.4	$ 153.0

Fair value of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmountFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total of the portions of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of lines of credit and short-term debt and long-term debt which are scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total of the portions of the fair value of lines of credit and short-term debt and long-term debt which are scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant