Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (USD $) In Thousands		Total USD ($)		Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member] USD ($)	Apollo Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]	Apollo Class B voting common stock [Member]	Permanent Equity [Member] USD ($)	Common stock [Member] Apollo Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] USD ($)	Common stock [Member] Apollo Class B voting common stock [Member] USD ($)	Additional paid-in capital [Member] USD ($)	Apollo Class A treasury stock [Member] USD ($)	Retained earnings [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member] USD ($)	Total Apollo shareholders' equity [Member] USD ($)	Noncontrolling interests (deficit) [Member] USD ($)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011		$ 1,243,989						$ 103	$ 1	$ 68,724	$ (3,125,175)	$ 4,320,472	$ (23,761)	$ 1,240,364	$ 3,625
Treasury stock outstanding (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011											58,003
Common stock (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011					188,007	475
Redeemable noncontrolling interests				0
Share repurchases (in shares)											19,420
Share repurchases		(811,913)									(811,913)			(811,913)
Share reissuances (in shares)											(1,184)
Share reissuances		(11,949)								(46,527)	(58,476)			(11,949)
Net tax effect for stock incentive plans		(7,132)								(7,132)				(7,132)
Share-based compensation		78,705								78,705				78,705
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax		(8,281)	[1]										(6,273)	(6,273)	(2,008)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	[1]	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest										0
Net income (loss)		417,006										422,678		422,678	(5,672)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012		924,323						103	1	93,770	(3,878,612)	4,743,150	(30,034)	928,378	(4,055)
Treasury stock outstanding (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012											76,239
Common stock (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2012					188,007	475
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0		0
Share repurchases (in shares)											475
Share repurchases		(9,537)									(9,537)			(9,537)
Share reissuances (in shares)											(1,532)
Share reissuances		(3,867)								(46,663)	(63,391)	12,861		(3,867)
Net tax effect for stock incentive plans		(48,026)								(48,026)				(48,026)
Share-based compensation		49,462								49,462				49,462
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax		(2,545)	[1]										(1,643)	(1,643)	(902)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	[1]	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(48,500)								(48,543)			(4,886)	(53,429)	(4,929)
Net income (loss)		248,965										248,526		248,526	439
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013		1,118,009						103	1	0	(3,824,758)	4,978,815	(36,563)	1,117,598	411
Treasury stock outstanding (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		75,182									75,182
Common stock (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013					188,007	475
Balance at May. 31, 2013
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		0		0
Net income (loss)		21,396
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013		1,118,009						103	1	0	(3,824,758)	4,978,815	(36,563)	1,117,598	411
Treasury stock outstanding (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013		75,182									75,182
Common stock (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2013					188,007	475
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		64,527		64,527
Share repurchases (in shares)											5,834
Share repurchases		(172,709)									(172,709)			(172,709)
Share reissuances (in shares)											(1,431)
Share reissuances		(1,793)								(28,683)	(60,860)	30,384		(1,793)
Net tax effect for stock incentive plans		(14,136)								(14,136)				(14,136)
Share-based compensation		42,819								42,819				42,819
Acquisitions				53,866
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax		11,652	[1]	2,433			9,219						9,113	9,113	106
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	[1]	130											130	130
Redemption value adjustments				(13,786)			(13,786)					(13,786)		(13,786)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(893)								0					(893)
Net income (loss)		204,798
Net Income (loss)		210,356										209,304		209,304	1,052
Net Income (loss)				(5,558)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2014		$ 1,180,802						$ 103	$ 1	$ 0	$ (3,936,607)	$ 5,143,949	$ (27,320)	$ 1,180,126	$ 676
Treasury stock outstanding (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014		79,585									79,585
Common stock (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2014					188,007	475

[1] The tax effect on each component of other comprehensive income (loss) during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 is not significant.