Goodwill and Intangibles (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 250,798	$ 183,302
Accumulated amortization	(62,026)	(43,106)
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	593	(8,004)
Intangible assets, net	189,365	132,192
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	135,754	75,306
Accumulated amortization	(62,026)	(43,106)
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	961	(2,140)
Intangible assets, net	74,689	30,060
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Software and technology [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	42,389	42,389
Accumulated amortization	(25,151)	(16,673)
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	0	0
Intangible assets, net	17,238	25,716
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Accreditations and designations [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	21,628	0
Accumulated amortization	(3,015)	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	1,000	0
Intangible assets, net	19,613	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	17,919	0
Accumulated amortization	(1,238)	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	907	0
Intangible assets, net	17,588	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Curriculum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	16,993	0
Accumulated amortization	(2,933)	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	826	0
Intangible assets, net	14,886	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Student and customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	15,934	12,026
Accumulated amortization	(9,780)	(7,727)
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	(1,161)	(1,363)
Intangible assets, net	4,993	2,936
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Other [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	20,891	20,891
Accumulated amortization	(19,909)	(18,706)
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	(611)	(777)
Intangible assets, net	371	1,408
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	115,044	107,996
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	(368)	(5,864)
Intangible assets, net	114,676	102,132
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Accreditations and designations [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	8,530	7,260
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	(300)	(517)
Intangible assets, net	8,230	6,743
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	106,514	100,736
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Intangible Assets Translation Adjustments	(68)	(5,347)
Intangible assets, net	$ 106,446	$ 95,389