Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2011

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

Apollo Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as “the Company,” “Apollo Group,” “Apollo,” “APOL,” “we,” “us” or “our,” has been an education provider for more than 35 years. We offer innovative and distinctive educational programs and services both online and on-campus at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through our wholly-owned educational institutions:

• The University of Phoenix, Inc. (“University of Phoenix”);

• Institute for Professional Development (“IPD”); and

• The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corporation (“CFFP”).

On September 12, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Carnegie Learning, Inc. (“Carnegie Learning”), a publisher of research-based math curricula and adaptive learning software. Refer to Note 5, Acquisitions.

In addition, we have an 85.6% ownership interest in Apollo Global, Inc. (“Apollo Global”) as of November 30, 2011. Apollo Global pursues investments primarily in the international education services industry and is consolidated in our financial statements. We offer educational programs and services through the following wholly-owned subsidiaries of Apollo Global:

• BPP Holdings plc (“BPP”) in the United Kingdom;

• Western International University, Inc. (“Western International University”) in the U.S.;

• Universidad de Artes, Ciencias y Comunicación (“UNIACC”) in Chile; and

• Universidad Latinoamericana (“ULA”) in Mexico.

On December 3, 2011, Apollo Global entered into an agreement with HT Media Limited, an Indian media company, to participate in a start-up, 50:50 joint venture intended to develop and provide educational services and programs in India. HT Media Limited, which is based in New Delhi, India, publishes the Hindustan Times, Hindustan and Mint newspapers, among other business activities. The closing under the agreement is subject to various closing conditions, which are expected to be satisfied in due course.