Goodwill and Intangibles (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 241,877	$ 183,302
Accumulated amortization	(49,626)	(43,106)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(908)	(8,004)
Intangible assets, net	191,343	132,192
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	133,881	75,306
Accumulated amortization	(49,626)	(43,106)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(1,237)	(2,140)
Intangible assets, net	83,018	30,060
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Software and technology [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	42,389	42,389
Accumulated amortization	(20,912)	(16,673)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	0	0
Intangible assets, net	21,477	25,716
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Accreditations and designations [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	21,628	0
Accumulated amortization	(733)	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	288	0
Intangible assets, net	21,183	0
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	17,919	0
Accumulated amortization	(300)	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	242	0
Intangible assets, net	17,861	0
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Curriculum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	15,790	0
Accumulated amortization	(661)	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	210	0
Intangible assets, net	15,339	0
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Student and customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	15,264	12,026
Accumulated amortization	(7,612)	(7,727)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(1,282)	(1,363)
Intangible assets, net	6,370	2,936
Finite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Other finite-lived intangibles [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	20,891	20,891
Accumulated amortization	(19,408)	(18,706)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(695)	(777)
Intangible assets, net	788	1,408
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	107,996	107,996
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	329	(5,864)
Intangible assets, net	108,325	102,132
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Accreditations and designations [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	7,260	7,260
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(197)	(517)
Intangible assets, net	7,063	6,743
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	100,736	100,736
Accumulated amortization	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss)	526	(5,347)
Intangible assets, net	$ 101,262	$ 95,389