Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	$ 0		$ 0
Initial contingent consideration at fair value	0		0
Change in fair value included in net income	124	8,288	(997)	8,754
Currency translation adjustment	0	621	0	621
Payment for contingent consideration	0	0		0
Balance	0		0
Payment for contingent consideration			21,371	0
Open Colleges [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Initial contingent consideration at fair value		21,371	21,371	21,371	21,371
Payment for contingent consideration			(34,480)
Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration						41,893
Balance						41,893
Balance						41,893
Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest in Apollo Global [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	6,416		6,416
Balance	6,416		6,416
Level 1 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	0		0			0
Balance						0
Balance	0		0			0
Level 2 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	0		0			0
Balance						0
Balance	0		0			0
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration		36,023		36,023		41,893	6,292	5,743	5,277
Balance						41,893	6,292	5,743	5,277
Balance		36,023		36,023		41,893	6,292	5,743	5,277
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest in Apollo Global [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	6,416		6,416
Balance	$ 6,416		$ 6,416