School Specialty (SCOO) 10-Q 4 Dec 14 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014	Dec. 02, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	25-Oct-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'SCOO	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001055454	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--04-26	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,000,004

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$10,253	$9,008	$10,671
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,145, $984 and $2,228, respectively	117,990	62,631	122,180
Inventories	70,147	93,387	67,744
Deferred catalog costs	2,351	8,057	3,433
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	16,498	18,043	14,087
Refundable income taxes	554	'	5,024
Assets held for sale	2,200	2,200	2,928
Total current assets	219,993	193,326	226,067
Property, plant and equipment, net	37,618	39,045	37,567
Goodwill	21,588	21,588	25,535
Intangible assets, net	46,009	48,251	46,681
Development costs and other	32,034	36,646	36,847
Deferred taxes long-term	13	48	51
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	715	715	715
Total assets	357,970	339,619	373,463
Current liabilities:	'	'	'
Current maturities - long-term debt	10,273	12,388	5,334
Accounts payable	36,348	42,977	25,763
Accrued compensation	12,046	8,966	13,144
Deferred revenue	2,928	2,613	3,088
Other accrued liabilities	14,640	14,460	19,310
Total current liabilities	76,235	81,404	66,639
Long-term debt - less current maturities	156,510	153,987	152,227
Other liabilities	807	1,171	2,107
Total liabilities	233,552	236,562	220,973
Commitments and contingencies - Note 19	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	'	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 2,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000,004 shares outstanding	1	1	1
Capital in excess of par value	119,533	120,955	120,955
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-568	-414	-106
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	5,452	-17,485	31,640
Total stockholders' equity	124,418	103,057	152,490
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$357,970	$339,619	$373,463

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,145	$984	$2,228
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,000,004	1,000,004	1,000,004

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Revenues	'	$238,670	$245,629	$389,128	$438,139
Cost of revenues	'	151,848	152,424	236,165	272,751
Gross profit	'	86,822	93,205	152,963	165,388
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	67,893	71,713	108,819	129,835
Facility exit costs and restructuring	'	1,929	2,249	3,605	2,062
Operating income (loss)	'	17,000	19,243	40,539	33,491
Other expense (income):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	5,206	4,605	7,426	10,481
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	'	42	622	622	29
Refund of early termination fee	'	'	-4,054	-4,054	'
Reorganization items, net	'	'	3,367	4,647	271
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	11,752	14,703	31,898	22,710
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	-171	6	258	-227
Net income	'	11,923	14,697	31,640	22,937
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	18,922	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000
Diluted	'	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000
Net Income per Share:	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$4.02	$11.92	$14.70	$31.64	$22.94
Diluted	'	$11.92	$14.70	$31.64	$22.94
Predecessor	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	58,697	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	35,079	'	'	'	'
Gross profit	23,618	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	27,473	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-3,855	'	'	'	'
Other expense (income):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	3,235	'	'	'	'
Reorganization items, net	-84,799	'	'	'	'
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	77,709	'	'	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,641	'	'	'	'
Net income	$76,068	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	18,922	'	'	'	'
Diluted	18,922	'	'	'	'
Net Income per Share:	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$4.02	'	'	'	'
Diluted	$4.02	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
					Predecessor
Net income	$11,923	$14,697	$31,640	$22,937	$76,068
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-352	-99	-106	-154	-101
Total comprehensive income	$11,571	$14,598	$31,534	$22,783	$75,967

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
			Predecessor
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$31,640	$22,937	$76,068
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense	9,480	9,052	2,983
Amortization of development costs	3,678	6,949	918
Non-cash reorganization items	-458	'	-99,668
Amortization of debt fees and other	974	1,165	9
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	622	29	'
Share-based compensation expense	'	141	'
Deferred taxes	'	34	'
Non-cash interest expense	556	1,340	'
Changes in current assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-55,442	-55,677	-8,011
Inventories	34,942	23,242	-18,255
Deferred catalog costs	3,737	5,706	1,754
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,596	790	722
Accounts payable	-12,488	-6,408	11,012
Accrued liabilities	-14,331	3,146	12,488
Accrued bankruptcy-related reorganization costs	-6,188	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	14,318	12,446	-19,980
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-2,066	-5,398	-243
Change in restricted cash	26,302	'	'
Investment in product development costs	-2,246	-3,318	-463
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment	750	11	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	22,740	-8,705	-706
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from bank borrowings	228,956	208,102	7,561
Repayment of bank borrowings	-249,241	-210,598	-148,619
Issuance of debt	'	'	165,924
Payment of early termination fee	-26,399	'	'
Recovery of interest and reduction of early termination fee	5,399	'	'
Payment of debt fees and other	-636	'	-9,415
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-41,921	-2,496	15,451
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,863	1,245	-5,235
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	15,534	9,008	20,769
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	10,671	10,253	15,534
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid	5,786	8,089	5,578
Income taxes paid	418	1,702	'
Bankruptcy related reorganization costs paid (included in operating activities, above)	$20,856	$368	$3,802

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
	NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are normal and recurring in nature unless otherwise noted) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The balance sheet at April 26, 2014 has been derived from School Specialty, Inc.’s (“School Specialty” or the “Company”) audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2014. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2014.
	During the period January 28, 2013 through June 11, 2013, School Specialty, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries operated as debtors-in-possession under bankruptcy court jurisdiction (see Note 3). In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, Reorganizations, for periods including and subsequent to the filing of the Chapter 11 petition, all expenses, gains and losses that resulted from the reorganization were reported separately as reorganization items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net cash used for reorganization items was disclosed separately in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and liabilities subject to compromise were reported separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	As discussed in Note 4 – Fresh Start Accounting, as of June 11, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), the Company adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852. The adoption of fresh start accounting resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements on or prior to June 11, 2013 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods after June 11, 2013. The consolidated financial statements as of October 25, 2014, April 26, 2014 and October 26, 2013 and for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014 and the three months and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and any references to “Successor” or “Successor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to bankruptcy emergence on June 11, 2013. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to the bankruptcy emergence.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment; Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 modifies the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendments in ASU 2014-08, the definition of discontinued operations has been modified to only include those disposals of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 also expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of discontinued operations and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within that period, beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective in the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Bankruptcy_Proceedings

Bankruptcy Proceedings	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Bankruptcy Proceedings	'
	NOTE 3 – BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
	On January 28, 2013 (the “Petition Date”), School Specialty, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). The cases (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) were jointly administered as Case No. 13-10125 (KJC) under the caption “In re School Specialty, Inc., et al.” The Debtors continued to operate their business as “debtors-in-possession” (“DIP”) under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11 and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries (collectively, the “Non-Filing Entities”) were not part of the Chapter 11 Cases.
	The Chapter 11 Cases were filed in response to an environment of ongoing declines in school spending and a lack of sufficient liquidity, including trade credit provided by the Debtors’ vendors, to permit the Debtors to pursue their business strategy to position the School Specialty brands successfully for the long term. As a result of the Chapter 11 filing, the Company’s common stock was delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market, effective March 1, 2013.
	On May 23, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the “Reorganization Plan”), and a corrected copy of such order was entered by the Bankruptcy Court on June 3, 2013. The Reorganization Plan, which is described in additional detail below, became effective on the Effective Date. Pursuant to the Reorganization Plan, on the Effective Date, the Company’s existing credit agreements, outstanding convertible subordinated debentures, equity plans and certain other agreements were cancelled. In addition, all outstanding equity interests of the Company that were issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Date were cancelled on the Effective Date. Also on the Effective Date, in accordance with and as authorized by the Reorganization Plan, the Company reincorporated in Delaware and issued a total of 1,000,004 shares of Common Stock of the reorganized Company to holders of certain allowed claims against the Debtors in exchange for such claims. As of June 12, 2013, there were 60 record holders of the new common stock of the reorganized Company issued pursuant to the Reorganization Plan.
	Operation and Implication of the Bankruptcy Filing
	Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of voluntary bankruptcy petitions by the Debtors automatically stayed most actions against the Debtors, including most actions to collect indebtedness incurred prior to the Petition Date or to exercise control over the Company’s property. Accordingly, although the Company defaulted on certain of the Debtors’ debt obligations, creditors were stayed from taking any actions as a result of such defaults. Absent an order of the Bankruptcy Court, substantially all of the Company’s pre-petition liabilities were subject to settlement under a reorganization plan or in connection with a Section 363 sale.
	Subsequent to the Petition Date, the Company received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize the Company’s operations. These obligations related to certain employee wages, salaries and benefits, and the payment of vendors and other providers in the ordinary course for goods and services received after the Petition Date. The Company retained, pursuant to Bankruptcy Court approval, legal and financial professionals to advise the Company in connection with the bankruptcy filing and certain other professionals to provide services and advice in the ordinary course of business.
	Reorganization Plan
	In order for the Company to emerge successfully from Chapter 11, the Company determined that it was in the best interests of the Debtors’ estates to seek Bankruptcy Court confirmation of a reorganization plan. A reorganization plan determines the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders, subject to the ultimate outcome of negotiations and Bankruptcy Court decisions ongoing through the date on which the reorganization plan is confirmed.
	On May 23, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Reorganization Plan, and a corrected copy of such order was entered by the Bankruptcy Court on June 3, 2013. The Reorganization Plan became effective on the Effective Date.
	General
	The Reorganization Plan generally provided for the payment in full in cash on or as soon as practical after the Effective Date of specified claims, including:
		•	All claims (the “DIP Financing Claims”) under the Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement (the “ABL DIP Agreement”) by and among Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC (as Administrative Agent, Co-Collateral Agent, Co-Lead Arranger and Joint Book Runner) and GE Capital Markets, Inc. (as Co-Collateral Agent, Co-Lead Arranger and Joint Book Runner and Syndication Agent), General Electric Capital Corporation (as syndication agent), the lenders party to the ABL DIP Facility (as defined below), and the Company and certain of its subsidiaries;
		•	Certain pre-petition secured claims;
		•	All claims relating to the costs and expenses of administering the Chapter 11 Cases; and
		•	All priority claims.
	In addition, the Reorganization Plan generally provides for the treatment of allowed claims against, and equity interests in, the Debtors as follows:
		•	The lenders under the Senior Secured Super Priority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement (the “Ad Hoc DIP Agreement”) by and among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the lenders party thereto were entitled to receive (i) cash in an approximate amount of $98,000, and (ii) 65% of the common stock of the reorganized Company. The fair value of the 65% ownership interest was approximately $78,600 as of the Effective Date. Approximately $57,200 of this value was in satisfaction of the portion of the Ad Hoc DIP not settled in cash with approximately $21,400 representing excess value received by the Ad Hoc DIP lenders. The $21,400 of excess value received by the Ad Hoc DIP lenders was recognized as a reorganization loss;
		•	Each holder of an allowed general unsecured claim is entitled to receive a deferred cash payment equal to 20% of such allowed claim, plus interest, on the terms described in the Reorganization Plan;
		•	Each holder of an unsecured claim arising from the provision of goods and/or services to the Debtors in the ordinary course of its pre-petition trade relationship with the Debtors, with whom the reorganized Debtors continue to do business after the Effective Date, is entitled to receive a deferred cash payment equal to 20% of such claim, plus interest, on the terms described in the Reorganization Plan. Such holders may increase their percentage recoveries to 45%, plus interest, by electing to provide the reorganized Debtors with customary trade terms for a specified period, as described in the Reorganization Plan;
		•	Each holder of the Company’s 3.75% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2026, as further described elsewhere in this report, received its pro rata share of 35% of the common stock of the reorganized Company;
		•	Each holder of an allowed general unsecured claim or allowed trade unsecured claim of $3 or less, or any holder of a general unsecured claim or trade unsecured claim in excess of $3 that agreed to voluntarily reduce the amount of its claim to $3 under the terms described in the Reorganization Plan, was entitled to receive a cash payment equal to 20% of such allowed claim on or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date; and
		•	Holders of equity interests in the Company prior to the Effective Date, including claims arising out of or with respect to such equity interests, were not entitled to receive any distribution under the Reorganization Plan.
	Exit Facilities
	As of the Effective Date, the Debtors closed on the exit credit facilities, the proceeds of which were or will be, among other things, used to (i) pay in cash the DIP Financing Claims, to the extent provided for in the Reorganization Plan, (ii) make required distributions under the Reorganization Plan, (iii) satisfy certain Reorganization Plan-related expenses, and (iv) fund the reorganized Company’s working capital needs. The terms of the exit credit facilities are described under Note 14 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Debt.
	Equity Interests
	As mentioned above, all shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding prior to the Effective Date were cancelled and extinguished as of the Effective Date. The Company issued 1,000,004 shares of new common stock on the Effective Date pursuant to the Reorganization Plan, which constitutes the total number of shares of new common stock outstanding immediately following the Effective Date.
	On the Effective Date, equity interests in the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries were deemed cancelled and extinguished and of no further force and effect, and each reorganized subsidiary was deemed to issue and distribute the new subsidiary equity interests. The ownership and terms of such new subsidiary equity interests in the reorganized subsidiaries are the same as the ownership and terms of the equity interests in these subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in the Reorganization Plan.
	Reincorporation in Delaware; Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation
	On the Effective Date, the Company was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation. Prior to the Effective Date, the Company caused a new wholly owned subsidiary to be formed in Delaware. On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a plan of merger with the Delaware subsidiary, providing for the Company to merge with and into the Delaware subsidiary, so that the Company’s separate corporate existence as a Wisconsin corporation ceased and the Delaware subsidiary was the surviving corporation. The certificates of incorporation of the reorganized Company and its reorganized subsidiaries were amended to be consistent with the provisions of the Reorganization Plan and the Bankruptcy Code, including the prohibition of issuance of nonvoting equity securities only for so long as, and to the extent that, the issuance of nonvoting equity securities is prohibited by the Bankruptcy Code. The reorganized Company was authorized to issue the new common stock for distribution in accordance with the terms of this Reorganization Plan and the amended certificate of incorporation without the need for any further corporate or stockholder action.
	Appointment of Senior Executive Officers and Directors
	Pursuant to the Reorganization Plan, on the Effective Date, the terms of the directors and managers of the board of directors or board of managers of the Debtors expired and such directors and managers were deemed removed from such boards. The initial board of directors of the reorganized Company (the “Board”) was comprised of four members, including:
		•	Michael P. Lavelle, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer; and
		•	Three directors, including Madhu Satyanarayana, Justin Lu and James R. Henderson, as designated by the three largest lenders under the Ad Hoc DIP Agreement.
	All of the other lenders under the Ad Hoc DIP Agreement had the right to designate an additional director under the Reorganization Plan. These lenders determined not to exercise their right, and requested that the Board designate the additional director at its discretion.
	Mr. Lavelle resigned from the Board upon his resignation as Chief Executive Officer in August, 2013. Following this resignation, the Board consisted of the three remaining board members mentioned above until April, 2014 when Joseph M. Yorio became the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and was appointed to the Board.
	On the Effective Date, the officers of each of the reorganized Company and subsidiaries were appointed in accordance with the provisions of the new organizational documents.
	On July 22, 2013 the Company entered into a Transition and Separation Agreement and Mutual General Release (the “Transition Agreement”) with Mr. Lavelle, pursuant to which Mr. Lavelle resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and as a member of the Board. Mr. Lavelle’s resignation became effective on August 9, 2013.
	Restructuring
	The Reorganization Plan provided as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, that the reorganized Company and subsidiaries may simplify and rationalize their corporate structures by eliminating certain entities deemed no longer essential. As of the date hereof, the Company has not eliminated any such entities.
	2014 Incentive Plan
	The Reorganization Plan provides that, following the Effective Date, the Board of the reorganized Company will determine the terms of an incentive plan permitting the reorganized Company to grant participating employees, officers and directors of the reorganized Company, shares of common stock of the reorganized Company and/or options to acquire shares of common stock, and/or to provide such participating employees, officers and directors with such other consideration, including cash bonuses, as the new Board may determine. On April 24, 2014, the board of directors adopted the 2014 Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), and the stockholders approved the 2014 Plan on September 4, 2014. The 2014 Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units as well as incentive awards. Directors, employees and consultants of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company are eligible to participate in the 2014 Plan. See also Note 9 – Share-Based Compensation Expense.
	Financial Statement Presentation
	We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 852 “Reorganizations” (“FASB ASC 852”). FASB ASC 852 requires that the financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain expenses including professional fees, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized from the reorganization and restructuring process are classified as reorganization items on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	In connection with the Company’s emergence from Chapter 11, the Company was required to adopt fresh start accounting as of June 11, 2013 in accordance with ASC 852 “Reorganizations”. The Company elected to use June 8, 2013 (the “Convenience Date”), which was the week ended date nearest to the Effective Date, to avoid disruption to the Company’s weekly accounting processes. The Company performed a qualitative and quantitative assessment in order to determine the appropriateness of using the Convenience Date for fresh start accounting instead of the Effective Date. The Company’s assessment determined that the use of the Convenience Date did not have a material impact on either the predecessor or successor periods in fiscal 2014 and there were no qualitative factors that would preclude the use of the Convenience Date for accounting and reporting purposes. The adoption of fresh start accounting resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements on or prior to June 11, 2013 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods after June 11, 2013. The consolidated financial statements as of October 25, 2014, April 26, 2014 and October 26, 2013 and for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014 and the three months and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and any references to “Successor” or “Successor Company” show the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to bankruptcy emergence on June 11, 2013. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to the bankruptcy emergence. Prior to the Effective Date, the Predecessor Company’s financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q do not reflect or provide for the consequences of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.

Fresh_Start_Accounting

Fresh Start Accounting	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Fresh Start Accounting	'
	NOTE 4 – FRESH START ACCOUNTING
	On the Effective Date, the Company adopted fresh start accounting and reporting in accordance with FASB ASC 852. The Company was required to apply the provisions of fresh start reporting to its financial statements, as the holders of existing voting shares of the Predecessor Company received less than 50% of the voting shares of the emerging entity and the reorganization value of the Predecessor Company’s assets immediately before the date of confirmation was less than the post-petition liabilities and allowed claims.
	Fresh start reporting generally requires resetting the historical net book value of assets and liabilities to fair value as of the Effective Date by allocating the entity’s enterprise value as set forth in the Reorganization Plan to its assets and liabilities pursuant to accounting guidance related to business combinations. The financial statements as of the Effective Date report the results of the Successor Company with no beginning retained earnings or accumulated deficit. Any presentation of the Successor Company represents the financial position and results of operations of a new reporting entity and is not comparable to prior periods. The consolidated financial statements for periods ended prior to the Effective Date do not include the effect of any changes in capital structure or changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting.
	In accordance with FASB ASC 852, the Predecessor Company’s results of operations prior to the Effective Date include (i) a pre-emergence gain of $161,943 resulting from the discharge of liabilities under the Reorganization Plan; (ii) pre-emergence charges to earnings of $46,878 recorded as reorganization items resulting from certain costs and expenses relating to the Reorganization Plan becoming effective, including the cancellation of certain debt upon issuance of new equity and the cancellation of equity-based awards of the Predecessor; and (iii) a pre-emergence decrease in earnings of $30,266 resulting from the aggregate changes to the net carrying value of the Predecessor Company’s pre-emergence assets and liabilities to reflect their fair values under fresh start accounting, as well as the recognition of goodwill. See Note 5, “Reorganization Items, Net” for additional information.
	Enterprise Value / Reorganization Value Determination
	Enterprise value represents the fair value of an entity’s interest-bearing debt and stockholders’ equity. In the disclosure statement associated with the Reorganization Plan, which was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, we estimated a range of enterprise values between $275,000 and $325,000, with a midpoint of $300,000. Based on current and anticipated economic conditions and the direct impact these conditions have on our business, we deemed it appropriate to use the midpoint between the low end and high end of the range to determine the final enterprise value of $300,000, comprised of debt valued at approximately $179,000 and equity valued at approximately $121,000.
	FASB ASC 852 provides for, among other things, a determination of the value to be assigned to the assets of the reorganized Company as of a date selected for financial reporting purposes. The Company adjusted its enterprise value of $300,000 for certain items such as post-petition liabilities to determine a reorganization value attributable to assets of $415,410. Under fresh start accounting, the reorganization value was allocated to the Company’s assets based on their respective fair values in conformity with the purchase method of accounting for business combinations included in FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. The excess reorganization value over the fair value of identified tangible and intangible assets of $21,588 was recorded as goodwill.
	The reorganization value represents the amount of resources available, or that become available, for the satisfaction of post-petition liabilities and allowed claims, as negotiated between the Company and its creditors (the “Interested Parties”). This value, along with other terms of the Reorganization Plan, was determined only after extensive arms-length negotiations between the Interested Parties. Each Interested Party developed its view of what the value should be based upon expected future cash flows of the business after emergence from Chapter 11, discounted at rates reflecting perceived business and financial risks. This value is viewed as the fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and is intended to approximate the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets of the Successor Company immediately after restructuring. The reorganization value was determined using numerous projections and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions and amounts reflected in the valuation will be realized.
	Methodology, Analysis and Assumptions
	The Company’s valuation was based upon a discounted cash flow methodology, which included a calculation of the present value of expected un-levered after-tax free cash flows reflected in our long-term financial projections, including the calculation of the present value of the terminal value of cash flows, and supporting analysis that included a comparison of selected financial data of the Company with similar data of other publicly held companies comparable to ours in terms of end markets, operational characteristics, growth prospects and geographical footprint. The Company also considered precedent transaction analysis but ultimately determined there was insufficient data for a meaningful analysis. A detailed discussion of this methodology and supporting analysis is presented below.
	The Company’s multi-year business plan was the foundation for developing long-term financial projections used in the valuation of our business. The business planning and forecasting process included a review of Company, industry and macroeconomic factors including, but not limited to, achievement of future financial results, projected changes associated with our reorganization initiatives, anticipated changes in general market conditions including variations in market regions, and known new business initiatives and challenges.
	The following represents a detailed discussion of the methodology and supporting analysis used to value our business using the business plan and long-term financial projections developed by the Company:
	Discounted Cash Flow Methodology
	The Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) analysis is a forward-looking enterprise valuation methodology that relates the value of an asset or business to the present value of expected future cash flows to be generated by that asset or business. Under this methodology, projected future cash flows are discounted by the business’ weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The WACC reflects the estimated blended rate of return that debt and equity investors would require to invest in the business based on its capital structure. Our DCF analysis has two components: (1) the present value of the expected un-levered after-tax free cash flows for a determined period, and (2) the present value of the terminal value of cash flows, which represents a firm value beyond the time horizon of the long-term financial projections.
	The DCF calculation was based on management’s financial projections of un-levered after-tax free cash flows for the period 2014 to 2017. The Company used a WACC of 13.3% to discount future cash flows and terminal values. This WACC was determined based upon an estimated cost of debt for similar sized companies, rather than the anticipated cost of debt of the reorganized Company upon emergence from bankruptcy, and a market cost of equity using a capital asset pricing model. Assumptions used in the DCF analysis, including the appropriate components of the WACC, were deemed to be those of “market participants” upon analysis of peer groups’ capital structures.
	In conjunction with our analysis of publicly traded companies described below, the Company used a range of exit multiples of 2013 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) between 4.4 and 8.1, with a lower than midpoint exit multiple of 5.5 selected, to determine the present value of the terminal value of cash flows. The selected exit multiple is weighted towards those comparable companies which are more similar to the Company’s Distribution segment which represents a higher percentage of consolidated revenues as compared to the Curriculum segment.
	The sum of the present value of the projected un-levered after-tax free cash flows was added to the present value of the terminal value of cash flows to determine the Company’s enterprise value.
	Publicly Traded Company Analysis
	As part of our valuation analysis, the Company identified publicly traded companies whose businesses are relatively similar to each of our reporting segments and have comparable operational characteristics to derive comparable revenue and EBITDA multiples for our DCF analysis. Criteria for selecting comparable companies for the analysis included, among other relevant characteristics, similar lines of businesses, business risks, growth prospects, maturity of businesses, market presence, size, and scale of operations. The analysis included a detailed multi-year financial comparison of each company’s income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. In addition, each company’s performance, profitability, margins, leverage and business trends were also examined. Based on these analyses, a number of financial multiples and ratios were calculated to gauge each company’s relative performance and valuation. The ranges of ratios derived were then applied to the Company’s projected financial results to develop a range of implied values.
	Enterprise Value, Accounting Policies and Reorganized Consolidated Balance Sheet
	In determining the final enterprise value attributed to the Company of $300,000, the Company blended its DCF methodology and publicly traded company analysis, with more emphasis on the DCF methodology.
	Fresh start accounting and reporting permits the selection of appropriate accounting policies for Successor Company. The Predecessor Company’s significant accounting policies that were disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2013 were generally adopted by the Successor Company as of the Effective Date, though many of the account balances were affected by the reorganization and fresh start adjustments presented below.
	The adjustments presented below were made to the June 11, 2013 condensed consolidated balance sheet and contain estimates of fair value. Estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimates, which are based on industry and data trends, and by reference to relevant market rates and discounted cash flow valuation methods, among other factors. The determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities was subject to significant estimation and assumptions. In accordance with ASC No. 805, the allocation of the reorganization value was subject to additional adjustment until the Company completed its analysis. This analysis was finalized in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The table below represents the final determination of the fair value of individual assets and liabilities.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet, reorganization adjustments and fresh start adjustments presented below summarize the impact of the Reorganization Plan and the adoption of fresh start accounting as of the Effective Date.
	Certain of the fresh start adjustments were updated between the Effective Date and finalization of fresh start accounting during the three months ended July 26, 2014. During the three months ended July 26, 2014, the Successor Company updated the estimated value of holders of unsecured claims that elect to provide the Company with customary trade terms and thereby recover 45% of their claims, per the Reorganization Plan (see Notes 3 and 7).
	REORGANIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF JUNE 11, 2013
			June 11, 2013
			Predecessor			Reorganization			Fresh Start			Successor
			Company			Adjustments			Adjustments			Company
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	11,052		$	4,363	(1)	$	—		$	15,415
	Restricted cash			26,421			—			—			26,421
	Accounts receivable			66,894			—			(250	) (8)		66,644
	Inventories			110,830			—			(8,147	) (8)		102,683
	Other current assets			45,819			321	(2)		(788	) (8)		45,352
	Total current assets			261,016			4,684			(9,185	)		256,515
	Property, plant and equipment, net			37,604			(6,202	) (2)		14,148	(8)		45,550
	Goodwill			—			—			21,588	(8)(9)		21,588
	Intangible assets, net			109,155			—			(56,795	) (8)		52,360
	Development costs and other			31,142			8,255	(3)		—			39,397
	Total assets		$	438,917		$	6,737		$	(30,244	)	$	415,410
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	38,226		$	—		$	—		$	38,226
	Accrued compensation			7,229			(315	) (2)		—			6,914
	Other accrued liabilities			60,301			9,947	(2)(4)(6)		22	(8)		70,270
	Total current liabilities			105,756			9,632			22			115,410
	Long-term debt			205,863			(39,939	) (5)		—			165,924
	Other liabilities			925			12,195	(2)(6)		—			13,120
	Liabilities subject to compromise			223,988			(223,988	) (6)		—			—
	Total liabilities		$	536,532		$	(242,100	)	$	22		$	294,454
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock - Predecessor		$	24		$	(24	) (7)	$	—		$	—
	Capital in excess of par value - Predecessor			446,232			(446,232	) (7)		—			—
	Treasury Stock - Predecessor			(186,637	)		186,637	(7)		—			—
	Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income - Predecessor			(357,234	)		387,500	(7)		(30,266	) (7)(8)		—
	Common stock - Successor			—			1	(7)		—			1
	Capital in excess of par value - Successor			—			120,955	(7)		—			120,955
	Total stockholders’ equity			(97,615	)		248,837			(30,266	)		120,956
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	438,917		$	6,737		$	(30,244	)	$	415,410
-1	The Company deposited $7,647 of proceeds from its exit financing into a segregated cash account which was used to pay administrative claims and certain advisors in the bankruptcy proceedings. The Company utilized $3,284 of its cash balance immediately prior to emergence to fund a portion of the cash requirements from exit financing.
-2	The Company recorded adjustments related to various contract rejections or amendments completed as part of the Reorganization Plan. This included a $6,202 write down of property, plant and equipment related to the amendment of capital lease obligations for the Mansfield, OH distribution center and the rejection of capital lease obligations for the Company’s Agawam, MA property. In addition, the Company recorded $920 related to various contract damages relating to lease rejections and severance obligations, classified between long-term and short-term liabilities.
-3	In connection with entering into the exit credit facilities, the Company capitalized $8,255 of deferred financing costs.
-4	Pursuant to the Chapter 11 Cases, additional professional fees of $2,057 were recorded. In addition, certain administrative and convenience claims of $8,435 were recorded as current liabilities, offset by accrued interest expense converted to new Successor Company equity.
-5	The table below presents refinancing of the Predecessor long-term debt. The Company issued $78,620 of new Successor Company equity (including $21,375 in excess of debt carrying amount), partially offset by $17,306 of debt discount and other financing costs. The current portion of the reorganized debt was $25,251, which includes $23,823 of new Successor Company ABL loan.
		June 11, 2013
Predecessor Company long-term debt		$	205,863
Reorganization adjustments:
Issuance of Successor Company equity			(78,620	)
Equity issuance in excess of debt carrying amount			21,375
Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing			17,306
Reorganized Successor Company long-term debt		$	165,924
-6	Liabilities subject to compromise generally refer to pre-petition obligations, secured or unsecured, that may be impaired by a plan of reorganization. FASB ASC 852 requires such liabilities, including those that became known after filing the Chapter 11 petitions, be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. These liabilities represented the estimated amount expected to be resolved on known or potential claims through the Chapter 11 process. Liabilities subject to compromise also includes items that may be assumed under the Reorganization Plan, and may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain pre-petition liabilities including accrued interest and accounts payable. At April 27, 2013, liabilities subject to compromise were $228,302, of which administrative claim payments of $4,314 were made in the Predecessor period of fiscal 2014. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:
		June 11, 2013
Accounts payable		$	47,683
2011 Debentures			163,688
Pre-petition accrued interest on 2011 Debentures			979
Sale-leaseback obligations			11,638
Liabilities subject to compromise		$	223,988
-7	The Company recorded elimination of (1) the Predecessor Company’s common stock, (2) the Predecessor Company’s capital in excess of par value, net of stock options cancellation of $3,624, (3) the Predecessor Company’s treasury stock, and (4) the Predecessor Company’s accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table represents reorganization value to be allocated to assets reconciled to the Successor Company Equity. The Company recorded Successor Company common stock of $1 and capital in excess of par value of $120,955.
		June 11, 2013
Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets		$	415,410
Less: Debt			(179,044	)
Less: Other liabilities			(115,410	)
Successor Company Equity		$	120,956
The above estimated amounts were updated during the three months ended July 26, 2014 (see Note 7).
-8	The following table represents the adjustments for fresh start accounting primarily related to recording goodwill, recording our intangible assets, fixed assets, and other assets and liabilities at fair value and related deferred income taxes in accordance with ASC 805. Additionally, such fresh start accounting adjustments reflect the increase in inventory reserve of $6,600, and elimination of certain capitalized costs of $1,426. The Company also recorded other fresh start accounting adjustments relating to (1) deferred rent included in current liabilities, (2) vendor rebates receivables in current assets, and (3) other current assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting. In addition, the impact of fresh start accounting adjustments on the accumulated retained earnings was eliminated.
		June 11, 2013
Fresh start accounting adjustments:
Goodwill		$	21,588
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets			(56,795	)
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets			15,522
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory			(8,147	)
Other fresh start accounting adjustments			(2,434	)
Total fresh start accounting adjustments		$	(30,266	)
-9	The following table represents a reconciliation of the enterprise value attributed to assets, determination of the total reorganization value to be allocated to these assets and the determination of goodwill:
		June 11, 2013
Enterprise value attributed to School Specialty		$	300,000
Plus: other liabilities (excluding debt)			115,410
Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets			415,410
Less: fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets			(393,822	)
Value of School Specialty assets in excess of fair value (Goodwill)		$	21,588

Reorganization_Items_Net

Reorganization Items, Net	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Reorganization Items, Net	'
	NOTE 5 – REORGANIZATION ITEMS, NET
	Reorganization items directly associated with the process of reorganizing the business under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code have been recorded on a separate line item on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The following table displays the details of reorganization items for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014, and the three months and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013:
		Successor Company					Successor		Successor			Predecessor
							Company		Company			Company
		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended		Twenty Weeks Ended			Six Weeks Ended
		October 25, 2014		October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014		October 26, 2013			11-Jun-13
	Liabilities subject to compromise	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	223,988
	Issuance of capital in excess of par value		—		—			—		—			(42,335	)
	Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts		—		458			—		458			(19,710	)
	Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	$	—	$	458		$	—	$	458		$	161,943
	Fresh start accounting adjustments:
	Goodwill	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	21,588
	Fair value adjustment to intangible assets		—		—			—		—			(56,795	)
	Fair value adjustment to fixed assets		—		—			—		—			15,522
	Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory		—		—			—		—			(8,147	)
	Other fresh start accounting adjustments		—		—			—		—			(2,434	)
	Total fresh start accounting adjustments	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	(30,266	)
	Other reorganization adjustments:
	Asset write-downs due to contract rejections	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	(7,011	)
	Professional fees		—		(3,825	)		271		(5,105	)		(10,512	)
	Cancellation of equity-based awards		—		—			—		—			(3,624	)
	Financing fees		—		—			—		—			(2,853	)
	Issuance of equity in excess of debt carrying amount		—		—			—		—			(21,375	)
	Other		—		—			—		—			(1,503	)
	Total other reorganization adjustments	$	—	$	(3,825	)	$	271	$	(5,105	)	$	(46,878	)
	Total Reorganization items, net	$	—	$	(3,367	)	$	271	$	(4,647	)	$	84,799
	The 2011 Debentures and related accrued interest within the liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013 were settled by the issuance of new common stock representing 35% ownership in the Successor Company, with an estimated fair value of $42,335. The portion of accounts payable within the liabilities subject to compromise that will be paid in accordance with the Reorganization Plan were classified between long-term and short-term liabilities. Administrative claims totaling $8,335 were classified as short-term with any remaining recoveries under the Reorganization Plan classified as Deferred Cash Payments in long-term debt (see Note 14 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt). Since the value of Common Stock issued and the amounts to be paid in cash at a later date were less than the liabilities subject to compromise, the Predecessor Company recorded a gain on reorganization of $161,943 for the six weeks ended June 11, 2013.
	Fresh start accounting adjustments resulted in a net asset write down of $30,266 which has partially offset the gain related to the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise. The fresh start accounting adjustments are related to the preliminary valuation done in accordance with the adoption of the fresh start accounting. See Note 4 – Fresh Start Accounting for information on these fresh start valuation adjustments.
	A portion of the gain related to the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise is further offset by $46,878 of other reorganizational adjustments. Equity issued to the Ad Hoc DIP lenders in excess of the debt carrying amount was $21,375. Professional fees and financing fees associated with the Predecessor Company’s debtor-in-possession financings were $13,365. The cancellation of equity awards outstanding as of the Effective Date triggered $3,624 of unrecognized share-based compensation expense. In addition, the rejection of certain leases pursuant to the Reorganization Plan resulted in an additional $7,011 of expense.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE 6 – INCOME TAXES
	The Company files income tax returns with the U.S., various U.S. states, and foreign jurisdictions. The most significant tax return the Company files is with the U.S. The Company’s tax returns are no longer subject to examination by the U.S. for fiscal years before 2010. The Company has various state tax audits and appeals in process at any given time. It is not anticipated that any adjustments resulting from tax examinations or appeals would result in a material change to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	Pursuant to the Reorganization Plan, on the Effective Date, the Company realized cancellation of indebtedness income. During the six weeks ended June 11, 2013, the Company excluded from taxable income $129,084 of cancellation of indebtedness income as defined under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 108. IRC Section 108 excludes from taxable income the amount of indebtedness discharged under a Chapter 11 case. IRC Section 108 also requires a reduction of tax attributes equal to the amount of excluded taxable income. As a result, the Company reduced the available federal and state net operating loss carry forward and adjusted the tax reporting basis of tangible and intangible assets for the discharge of indebtedness income. In addition to the adjustment to the tax reporting basis as described above, the fresh start accounting adjustments also created additional basis differences between income tax and financial reporting.
	The Company has determined that an ownership change occurred in fiscal 2013 that is subject to IRC Section 382. Due to the limitations imposed under Section 382, certain federal and state deferred tax attributes may be significantly reduced over the next five years.
	In fiscal 2012, the Company concluded that the realization of a majority of the deferred tax assets did not meet the more likely than not threshold, and recorded a tax valuation allowance of $32,638. In fiscal 2013, the Company increased its tax valuation allowance to $71,272. As of April 26, 2014, the Company reduced its valuation allowance to $30,573 related to the reduction of tax attributes associated with the cancellation of indebtedness and other fresh start adjustments. At the end of fiscal 2014 and at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015 there was a full valuation allowance against all the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets. As of October 25, 2014, the Company had an immaterial amount of unremitted earnings from foreign investments.
	The balance of the Company’s liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, net of federal tax benefits, at October 25, 2014, April 26, 2014 and October 26, 2013, was $115, $398 and $560, respectively, all of which would have an impact on the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not expect any material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. The Company classifies accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations. The amounts of accrued interest and penalties included in the liability for uncertain tax positions are not material.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Stockholders' Equity	'
	NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Changes in condensed consolidated stockholders’ equity during the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor Company), six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company), were as follows:
		Common			Additional			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated			Total
		Stock			Paid-in			(Accumulated						Other			Stockholders’
					Capital			Deficit)						Comprehensive			Equity
														Income (Loss)
	Balance, April 26, 2014 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	120,955		$	(17,485	)	$	—		$	(414	)	$	103,057
	Net income		—			—			22,937			—			—			22,937
	Share-based compensation expense		—			141			—			—			—			141
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(154	)		(154	)
	Change in Fresh Start estimate		—			(1,564	)		—			—			—			(1,564	)
	Balance, October 25, 2014 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	119,533		$	5,452		$	—		$	(568	)	$	124,418
		Common			Additional			Retained Earnings			Treasury			Accumulated			Total
		Stock			Paid-in			(Accumulated			Stock			Other			Stockholders’
					Capital			Deficit)						Comprehensive			Equity (Deficit)
														Income (Loss)
	Balance, April 27, 2013 (Predecessor Company)	$	24		$	446,232		$	(361,192	)	$	(186,637	)	$	22,381		$	(79,192	)
	Net income		—			—			76,068			—			—			76,068
	Foreign currency translation adjustment														(101	)		(101	)
	Cancellation of Predecessor Company common stock		(24	)		—			—			—			—			(24	)
	Elimination of Predecessor Company capital in excess of par		—			(446,232	)		—			—			—			(446,232	)
	Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated deficit		—			—			285,124			—			—			285,124
	Elimination of Predecessor Company treasury stock		—			—			—			186,637			—			186,637
	Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			(22,280	)		(22,280	)
	Balance, June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Issuance of Successor Company Common Stock	$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1
	Establishment of Successor Company capital in excess of par		—			120,955			—			—			—			120,955
	Balance, June 12, 2013 (Successor Company)		1			120,955			—			—			—			120,956
	Net income		—			—			31,640			—			—			31,640
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(106	)		(106	)
	Balance, October 26, 2013 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	120,955		$	31,640		$	—		$	(106	)	$	152,490
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company revised its fresh-start estimate for the amount of deferred cash payment obligations (see Note 14 – Debt). The change in estimate is related to an increased number of unsecured trade creditors which elected to provide the Company customary trade terms which entitled those creditors to a 45% recovery of their unsecured claim rather than a 20% recovery. This change in estimate resulted in a decrease of $1,564 to the Successor Company’s equity and a corresponding increase in long-term debt.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
	NOTE 8 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Earnings Per Share
	The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) for the periods presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:
		Income (loss)		Weighted		Per Share
		(Numerator)		Average		Amount
				Shares
				(Denominator)
	Three months ended October 25, 2014:
	Basic EPS	$	11,923		1,000	$	11.92
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	11,923		1,000	$	11.92
	Three months ended October 26, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	14,697		1,000	$	14.7
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	14,697		1,000	$	14.7
		Income (loss)		Weighted		Per Share
		(Numerator)		Average		Amount
				Shares
				(Denominator)
	Six months ended October 25, 2014:
	Basic EPS	$	22,937		1,000	$	22.94
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	22,937		1,000	$	22.94
	Twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	31,640	$	1,000	$	31.64
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	31,640		1,000	$	31.64
	Six weeks ended June 11, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	76,068		18,922	$	4.02
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Predecessor Company)	$	76,068		18,922	$	4.02
	The Company had stock options outstanding of 66 and 60 during the three and six months ended October 25, 2014, respectively, that were not included in the computation of Diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company did not have any stock options outstanding during the three months and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013.
	All outstanding stock options and restricted shares of the Predecessor Company were cancelled as of the Effective Date.

ShareBased_Compensation_Expens

Share-Based Compensation Expense	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Share-Based Compensation Expense	'
	NOTE 9 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
	Employee Stock Plans
	As of October 25, 2014, the Company had one share-based employee compensation plan; the 2014 Plan, as described in Note 2 – Bankruptcy Proceedings. The 2014 Plan was approved on September 4, 2014 by the Company’s stockholders. On April 24, 2014, School Specialty, Inc.’s CEO was awarded 32 stock options under the 2014 Plan. Other members of management were awarded 36 stock options and 4 stock options on May 22, 2014 and September 25, 2014, respectively. September 4, 2014, the date on which the Stockholders approved the 2014 Plan, was considered the grant date, or measurement date, for those awards issued prior to this date. As such, those awards made prior to September 4, 2014 were not considered outstanding and no expense associated with those awards was recognized prior to that date. The 32 stock options that were awarded to the Company’s CEO will vest as to one-fourth of the options on the first four anniversaries of the date of award. The 40 options that were awarded to other members of management will vest as to one-half of the options on the second anniversary of the date of award and as to one-fourth of the options on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the award date.
	A summary of the option activity for the Successor Company during the six months ended October 25, 2014 follows:
		Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Successor Company	Options			Weighted-		Options		Weighted-
					Average				Average
					Exercise				Exercise
					Price				Price
	Balance at April 26, 2014		—		$	—		—	$	—
	Granted		72			130
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled		(4	)		130
	Balance at October 25, 2014		68		$	—		—	$	—
	The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2015 was $55.24 per share. The fair value of options is estimated on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions included an average risk-free rate of 2.01%, expected volatility of 48.0% and expected term of 6.3 years.
	All of the options outstanding as of October 25, 2014 have an exercise price of $130.00 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 9.57 years. No portion of the current outstanding stock options have vested or have intrinsic value as of October 25, 2014.
	Prior to the Effective Date, the Company had three share-based employee compensation plans under which awards were outstanding as of April 27, 2013: the School Specialty, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”), the School Specialty, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”), and the School Specialty, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). All plans were approved by the Company’s stockholders.
	In conjunction with the Reorganization Plan which became effective on June 11, 2013 (see Note 3 – Bankruptcy Proceedings), all shares, options, Non-Vested Stock Units (NSUs) and restricted shares that were outstanding on the Effective Date were canceled. As a result, the Predecessor Company recognized a $3,624 reorganization item related to the unrecognized share-based compensation expense which was triggered upon the cancellation of the awards.
	A summary of option activity for the Predecessor Company during the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 follows:
		Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Predecessor Company	Options			Weighted-		Options		Weighted-
					Average				Average
					Exercise				Exercise
					Price				Price
	Balance at April 27, 2013		2,550		$	15.27		1,207	$	24.76
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled		(2,550	)		15.27
	Balance at June 11, 2013		—		$	—		—	$	—
	The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $141 in both the three and six month periods ended October 25, 2014. The stock-based compensation expense is reflected in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Share-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period. There was no income tax benefit recognized related to share-based compensation expense in the three and six month periods ended October 25, 2014. Since there were no stock options outstanding in either the three-month or twenty week periods ended October 26, 2013, stock-based compensation expense in each period was zero.
	Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of October 25, 2014 was $3,623.
	On May 28, 2014, the Board granted 6 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to each of the non-employee members of the Board under the 2014 Plan. Prior to the approval of the 2014 Plan at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on September 4, 2014, the SARs were not considered outstanding, nor granted and therefore no expense was recognized prior to this date. Each SAR has a grant date value of $130 and will be settled in cash upon exercise. As such, the SAR’s are accounted for as liability awards. Since the Company’s stock trading price was less than each SAR’s exercise price as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015, no expense was recorded for each SAR. The SAR will vest as to one-half of the SARs on the second anniversary of the date of grant and as to one-fourth of the SARs on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE 10 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following tables present details of the Successor Company’s intangible assets, including the estimated useful lives, excluding goodwill:
	October 25, 2014	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	11,300	$	(1,231	)	$	10,069
	Publishing rights (20 years)		4,000		(283	)		3,717
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,700		(1,608	)		21,092
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(1,336	)		5,264
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(1,247	)		3,153
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,200		(340	)		860
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		2,160		(306	)		1,854
	Total intangible assets	$	52,360	$	(6,351	)	$	46,009
	April 26, 2014	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	11,300	$	(797	)	$	10,503
	Publishing rights (20 years)		4,000		(183	)		3,817
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,700		(1,040	)		21,660
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(864	)		5,736
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(807	)		3,593
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,200		(220	)		980
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		2,160		(198	)		1,962
	Total intangible assets	$	52,360	$	(4,109	)	$	48,251
	October 26, 2013	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	9,400	$	(301	)	$	9,099
	Publishing rights (20 years)		2,500		(52	)		2,448
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,100		(460	)		21,640
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(393	)		6,207
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(367	)		4,033
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,500		(125	)		1,375
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		1,961		(82	)		1,879
	Total intangible assets	$	48,461	$	(1,780	)	$	46,681
	The gross values were determined by the valuation which was performed as part of the fresh start accounting. In addition to the intangible assets above, the Successor Company recorded $21,588 of goodwill.
	Intangible asset amortization expenses were included in selling, general and administrative expense. Intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended October 25, 2014 and October 26, 2013 was $1,121 and $1,217, respectively. Intangible asset amortization expense for the six months ended October 25, 2014, twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 was $2,242, $1,780, and $1,138, respectively.
	Intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and the remainder of fiscal 2015 is estimated to be:
	Fiscal 2015 (six months remaining)	$	2,242
	Fiscal 2016		4,483
	Fiscal 2017		4,483
	Fiscal 2018		4,483
	Fiscal 2019		3,456
	Fiscal 2020		3,363
	The table below shows the allocation to the segments of the recorded goodwill as of October 25, 2014. There were no changes during the twelve month period ending October 25, 2014, other than fresh start accounting adjustments.
		Distribution		Curriculum			Total
		Segment		Segment
	Fresh Start Valuation:
	Goodwill	$	14,666	$	6,922		$	21,588
	Balance at October 25, 2014	$	14,666	$	6,922		$	21,588

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	'
	NOTE 11 – INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE
	The Company holds a 35% interest, accounted for under the cost method, in Carson-Dellosa Publishing, which is accounted for under the cost method as the Company does not have significant influence over the investee.
	The investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following:
		Percent			October 25, 2014		April 26, 2014		October 26, 2013
		Owned
	Carson- Dellosa Publishing, LLC		35	%	$	715	$	715	$	715
	The investment amount represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company’s ownership interest.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	NOTE 12 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Land	$	—		$	—		$	210
	Projects in progress		3,635			10,854			3,391
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		3,749			3,595			3,682
	Furniture, fixtures and other		36,564			30,525			30,400
	Machinery and warehouse equipment		11,485			6,770			6,174
	Total property, plant and equipment		55,433			51,744			43,857
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(17,815	)		(12,699	)		(6,290	)
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	37,618		$	39,045		$	37,567
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended October 25, 2014 and October 26, 2013 was $3,562 and $5,397, respectively. Depreciation expense for the six months ended October 25, 2014, twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and six weeks ended June 11, 2013 was $6,810, $7,700 and $1,845, respectively.

Assets_Held_For_Sale

Assets Held For Sale	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Assets Held For Sale	'
	NOTE 13 – ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
	In fiscal 2014, the company-wide Process Improvement Program was launched to better align the Company’s operating groups, enhance systems and processes and drive efficiency throughout the organization to improve the customer experience. As part of this program, the Salina, Kansas facility was closed in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. The Salina distribution center ceased processing customer shipments in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The facility is classified as held for sale on the October 25, 2014 and April 26, 2014 consolidated balance sheets.
	In fiscal 2014, the Company decided to sell certain print assets of its subsidiary, Premier Agendas, Inc. (“Premier”). Historically, Premier printed approximately 30% of all agendas sold, with the remainder being printed by vendors. The decision was made to have all agendas printed by outside sources and sell the printing assets. These assets were sold early in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Debt	'
	NOTE 14 – DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	New ABL Facility, maturing in 2018	$	9,336		$	10,600		$	3,900
	New Term Loan, maturing in 2019		142,681			143,913			144,638
	New Term Loan Original Issue Discount		(2,231	)		(2,473	)		(2,715	)
	Deferred Cash Payment Obligations, maturing in 2019		16,997			14,335			11,738
	Total debt		166,783			166,375			157,561
	Less: Current maturities		(10,273	)		(12,388	)		(5,334	)
	Total long-term debt	$	156,510		$	153,987		$	152,227
	Successor Company Debt
	Credit Agreement
	On June 11, 2013, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Asset-Based Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, Bank of America, N.A, as Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, and the Lenders that are party to the Asset-Based Credit Agreement (the “Asset-Based Lenders”). Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the Asset-Based Credit Agreement (See Note 20 – Subsequent Events).
	Under the Asset-Based Credit Agreement, the Asset-Based Lenders agreed to provide a revolving senior secured asset-based credit facility (the “New ABL Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $175,000. Outstanding amounts under the New ABL Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s election: (1) a base rate (equal to the greatest of (a) the prime lending rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) (the “Base Rate”) plus an applicable margin (equal to a specified margin based on the interest rate elected by the Company, the fixed charge coverage ratio under the New ABL Facility and the applicable point in the life of the New ABL Facility) (the “Applicable Margin”), or (2) a LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Margin (the “LIBOR Rate”). Interest on loans under the New ABL Facility bearing interest based upon the Base Rate will be due monthly in arrears, and interest on loans bearing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate will be due on the last day of each relevant interest period or, if sooner, on the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such interest period.
	The effective interest rate under the New ABL Facility for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014 was 5.45% and 6.20%, respectively, which included amortization of loan origination fees of $289 and $578 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $137 and $307. As of October 25, 2014, the outstanding balance on the New ABL Facility was $9,336, which was reflected as currently maturing, long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The New ABL Facility will mature on June 11, 2018. The Company may prepay advances under the New ABL Facility in whole or in part at any time without penalty or premium. The Company will be required to make specified prepayments upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (1) the amount outstanding on the New ABL Facility exceeding the Borrowing Base (as determined in accordance with the terms of the New ABL Facility), and (2) the Company’s receipt of net cash proceeds of any sale or disposition of assets that are first priority collateral for the New ABL Facility.
	Pursuant to a Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of June 11, 2013 (the “New ABL Security Agreement”), the New ABL Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantor subsidiaries. Under an intercreditor agreement between the Asset-Based Lenders and the Term Loan Lenders, as defined and described below, the Asset-Based Lenders have a first priority security interest in substantially all working capital assets of the Company and the guarantor subsidiaries, and a second priority security interest in all other assets, subordinate only to the first priority security interest of the New Term Loan Lenders in such other assets.
	The Asset-Based Credit Agreement contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to a springing financial covenant relating to the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions and dividends and other restricted payments.
	Term Loan
	Also on June 11, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “New Term Loan Credit Agreement”) among the Company, Credit Suisse AG, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the Lenders defined in the New Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Lenders”). Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the New Term Loan Credit Agreement (See Note 20 – Subsequent Events).
	Under the New Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Lenders agreed to make a term loan (the “New Term Loan”) to the Company in aggregate principal amount of $145,000, including an original issue discount of $2,900. The outstanding principal amount of the New Term Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable LIBOR rate (with a 1% floor) plus 8.50%, or the base rate plus a margin of 7.50%. Interest on loans under the New Term Loan Credit Agreement bearing interest based upon the base rate will be due quarterly in arrears, and interest on loans bearing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate will be due on the last day of each relevant interest period or, if sooner, on the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such interest period.
	The effective interest rate under the term loan credit facility for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014 was 10.65% and 10.64%, respectively, which included amortization of loan origination fees of $293 and $587 and original issue discount amortization of $121 and $242. As of October 25, 2014, the outstanding balance on the New Term Loan Credit Agreement was $140,450, net of the unamortized original issue discount. Of this amount, $937 was reflected as currently maturing, long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The original issue discount is being amortized as additional interest expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the New Term Loan.
	The New Term Loan matures on June 11, 2019. The New Term Loan Credit Agreement requires prepayments at specified levels upon the Company’s receipt of net proceeds from certain events, including: (1) certain dispositions of property, divisions, business units or business lines; and (2) other issuances of debt other than Permitted Debt (as defined in the New Term Loan Credit Agreement). The New Term Loan Credit Agreement also requires prepayments at specified levels from the Company’s excess cash flow. The Company is also permitted to voluntarily prepay the New Term Loan in whole or in part. Any prepayments are to be made at par, plus an early payment fee calculated in accordance with the terms of the New Term Loan Credit Agreement if prepaid prior to the second anniversary of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
	Pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of June 11, 2013 (the “New Term Loan Security Agreement”), the Term Loan is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantor subsidiaries. Under an intercreditor agreement between the Asset-Based Lenders and the Term Loan Lenders, the Term Loan Lenders have a second priority security interest in substantially all working capital assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors, subordinate only to the first priority security interest of the Asset-Based Lenders in such assets, and a first priority security interest in all other assets.
	The New Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to quarterly financial covenants that commenced on the fiscal quarter ending October 26, 2013, relating to the Company’s (1) minimum interest coverage ratio and (2) maximum net total leverage ratio and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions and dividends and other restricted payments.
	The New Term Loan required the Company to enter into an interest rate hedge, within 90 days of the Effective Date, in an amount equal to at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the New Term Loan. The purpose of the interest rate hedge is to effectively subject a portion of the New Term Loan to a fixed or maximum interest rate. As such, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on August 27, 2013 that effectively fixes the interest payments on a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt. The swap, which has a termination date of September 11, 2016, effectively fixes the LIBOR-based interest rate on the debt in the amount of the notional amount of the swap at 9.985%. The notional amount of the swap at October 25, 2014 was $72,500. The fair value of the derivative (valued under Level 2) decreased as of the end of second quarter fiscal 2015 compared to the end of first quarter fiscal 2015 by $42 and a loss of $42 was recognized for the quarter. The loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was recorded in “Change in fair value of interest rate swap” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	Under this swap agreement, the Company will pay the counterparty interest on the notional amount at a fixed rate per annum of 1.485% and the counterparty will pay the Company interest on the notional amount at a variable rate per annum equal to the greater of 1-month LIBOR or 1.0%. The 1-month LIBOR rate applicable to this agreement was 0.152% at October 25, 2014. The notional amounts do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties, and thus are not a measure of exposure of the Company. The amounts exchanged are normally based on the notional amounts and other terms of the swaps. The variable rates are subject to change over time as 1-month LIBOR fluctuates.
	The company has estimated the fair value of its Term Loan (valued under Level 3) as of October 25, 2014 approximated the carrying value of $142,681.
	Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
	In connection with the Reorganization Plan, general unsecured creditors are entitled to receive a deferred cash payment obligation of 20% of the allowed claim in full settlement of the allowed unsecured claims. Such payment accrues quarterly paid-in-kind interest of 5% per annum beginning on the Effective Date. Trade unsecured creditors had the ability to make a trade election to provide agreed upon customary trade terms. If the election was made, those unsecured trade creditors received a deferred cash payment obligation of 45% of the allowed claim in full settlement of those claims. As of the Effective Date, the deferred payment obligations under the trade elections began to accrue quarterly paid-in-kind interest of 10% per annum. All deferred cash payment obligations, along with interest paid-in-kind, are payable in December 2019.
	The Company’s reconciliation of general unsecured claims is still in process. The Company currently estimates the deferred payment obligations are $16,997, of which $3,031 represents a 20% recovery for the creditors and $12,014 represents a 45% recovery for the creditors with the remaining $1,952 related to accrued paid-in-kind interest. The Company expects to complete the reconciliation of general unsecured claims in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and these estimated obligation amounts are subject to change.
	Predecessor Company Debt
	For a description of the Predecessor Company’s debt, please see the disclosure contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2014.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	NOTE 15 – CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor), six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company) were as follows:
		Foreign
		Currency
		Translation
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at April 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	(414	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		198
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at July 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	(216	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(352	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at October 25, 2014 (Successor)	$	(568	)
		Foreign
		Currency
		Translation
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	22,381
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(101	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		(22,280	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	—
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at July 27, 2013 (Successor)	$	(7	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(99	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at October 26, 2013 (Successor)	$	(106	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) are reflected in “Reorganization items, net” on the income statement for the six weeks ended June 11, 2013.

Restructuring

Restructuring	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Restructuring	'
	NOTE 16 – RESTRUCTURING
	In the first half of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, the Company recorded restructuring costs associated with closure or disposal of distribution centers and severance related to headcount reductions. The following is a reconciliation of accrued restructuring costs for the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor Company), the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and the twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company):
		Distribution			Curriculum			Corporate			Total
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at April 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	58		$	135		$	193
	Amounts charged to expense		15			—			97			112
	Payments		(15	)		(58	)		(159	)		(232	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at July 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	—		$	73		$	73
	Amounts charged to expense		—			—			1,631			1,631
	Payments		—			—			(282	)		(282	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at October 25, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	—		$	1,422		$	1,422
		Distribution			Curriculum			Corporate			Total
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	(21	)	$	149		$	588		$	716
	Amounts charged to expense		21			—			—			21
	Payments		—			(15	)		(167	)		(182	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	—		$	134		$	421		$	555
	Reclassification		406			—			(406	)		—
	Amounts charged to expense		—			31			1,325			1,356
	Payments		(158	)		(37	)		(1,328	)		(1,523	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at July 27, 2013 (Successor)	$	248		$	128		$	12		$	388
	Amounts charged to expense		47			62			2,140			2,249
	Payments		(271	)		(103	)		(675	)		(1,049	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at October 26, 2013 (Successor)	$	24		$	87		$	1,477		$	1,588
	The $21 charged to Predecessor for the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 was included in reorganization items, net. The $1,356 charged to Successor for the seven weeks ended July 27, 2013, the $2,249 charged to Successor for three months ended October 26, 2013, the $112 charged to Successor for the three months ended July 26, 2014 and the $1,631 charged to Successor for the three months ended October 25, 2014 were included in facility exit costs and restructuring in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Segment Information	'
	NOTE 17 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company changed its operating segments in order to align its segments with changes in the management and reporting structure of the Company. Information for prior years has been restated to reflect the new reporting structure. The Company determines its operating segments based on the information utilized by the chief operating decision maker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, to allocate resources and assess performance. Based on this information, the Company has determined that it operates in two operating segments, Distribution and Curriculum, which also constitute its reportable segments. The change in the Company’s operating segments is a result of changes within its organizational management of the business, efficiencies obtained within the organization, and how management reviews results of the business on a monthly and quarterly basis. The Company operates principally in the United States, with limited operations in Canada. The Distribution segment offers products that include basic classroom supplies and office products, supplemental learning materials, physical education equipment, classroom technology, planning and student development, coordinated school health and furniture. The Curriculum segment is a PreK-12 curriculum-based publisher of proprietary and non-proprietary products in the categories of science and reading and literacy. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Summary of Significant Accounting Policies as included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2014.
			Successor			Successor			Successor						Predecessor
			Three Months			Three Months			Six Months			Twenty Weeks			Six Weeks Ended
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended			June 11, 2013
			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Revenues:
	Distribution		$	207,880		$	214,892		$	374,549		$	339,213		$	49,142
	Curriculum			30,790			30,737			63,590			49,914			9,555
	Total		$	238,670		$	245,629		$	438,139		$	389,128		$	58,697
	Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before taxes:
	Distribution		$	18,376		$	21,093		$	31,924		$	40,552		$	(2,658	)
	Curriculum			3,717			2,968			9,335			7,400			(1,197	)
	Corporate and intercompany eliminations (1)			(5,093	)		(4,818	)		(7,768	)		(7,413	)		—
	Operating income			17,000			19,243			33,491			40,539			(3,855	)
	Interest expense and reorganization items, net			5,248			4,540			10,781			8,641			(81,564	)
	Income before provision for income taxes		$	11,752		$	14,703		$	22,710		$	31,898		$	77,709
			Successor			Successor			Successor
			October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution		$	239,521		$	214,723		$	260,313
	Curriculum			99,144			103,622			82,929
	Corporate assets			19,305			21,274			30,221
	Total		$	357,970		$	339,619		$	373,463
			Successor			Successor			Successor						Predecessor
			Three Months			Three Months			Six Months			Twenty Weeks			Six Weeks Ended
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended			June 11, 2013
			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
	Distribution		$	4,299		$	6,924		$	8,246		$	10,830		$	2,080
	Curriculum			3,661			1,890			7,755			2,328			1,821
	Total		$	7,960		$	8,814		$	16,001		$	13,158		$	3,901
	Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs:
	Distribution		$	2,444		$	1,472		$	5,119		$	2,219		$	317
	Curriculum			1,964			1,446			3,597			2,093			389
	Total		$	4,408		$	2,918		$	8,716		$	4,312		$	706
	-1	Operating expenses in Corporate for the Successor’s three month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the Successor’s three month period ended October 26, 2013 were $5,093 and $4,818, respectively. Operating expenses in Corporate for the six month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 were $7,768 and $7,413, respectively. These amounts included restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other corporate professional expenses.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Restricted Cash	'
	NOTE 18 – RESTRICTED CASH
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company placed $25,000 of cash into a restricted account. The Ad Hoc DIP Agreement required the funds to be placed in an escrow account as a deposit for an early termination fee payable to Bayside Finance, LLC (“Bayside”) that was provided under the former term loan credit agreement of the Predecessor Company. The Bankruptcy Court ruled that the funds were owed, but the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors contested the ruling and filed an appeal in the Federal District Court of Delaware. On the Effective Date, an additional $119, representing interest earned, was transferred into the restricted account. After the Effective Date, the Company deposited an additional $1,280 into the restricted account related to potential interest expense on the unpaid early termination fees for the pre-bankruptcy term loan with Bayside. In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, this escrow amount, including interest, was released to Bayside. On October 24, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved a stipulation which reflected the settlement of this matter. In connection with this settlement, the parties agreed that the amount of the early termination fee was $21,000. As a result, Bayside refunded to the Company $5,399 which represented the amount of restricted account funds that had been released to Bayside in excess of the $21,000 settlement. The $5,399 consisted of a reduction of the early termination fee of $4,054 and a recovery of interest expense previously paid in fiscal 2014 of $1,345.
	During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company transferred $2,708 of cash into an additional restricted account. The funds in the restricted account serve as collateral primarily for the Company’s workmen’s compensation insurance and other lease obligations, secured by letters of credit. During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2013 and the first and second quarters of fiscal 2014, $972, $434, $601 and $701, respectively, was transferred from the restricted cash account as the letters of credit secured by these amounts were canceled. As of October 25, 2014 the Company has no restrictions on its cash balance.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	NOTE 19 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Various claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. The results of these matters are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Subsequent Events	'
	NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On October 31, 2014, the Company entered into (i) the First Amendment, Consent and Limited Waiver to Loan Agreement (“Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., SunTrust Bank and Bank of Montreal, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A. as agent for lenders and (ii) Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement dated June 11, 2013 (“Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders.
	Under the terms of the Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement, the cap on the amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of EBITDA for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs and similar obligations was increased to 25% of EBITDA for each of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 and to an amount equal to 20% of EBITDA declining to 10% of EBITDA for calculation periods including portions of both fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
	Under the terms of the Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement, the cap on the amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of Consolidated EBITDA for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expense relating to earn outs and similar obligations was increased to $8.1 million for fiscal 2014, and $15.0 million for each of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016. In addition, the prepayment penalty was changed to (i) 3.00% of the principal amount of term loans repaid, repriced or refinanced prior to the six month anniversary of the amendment effective date, (ii) 2.00% of the principal amount of term loans repaid, repriced or refinanced on or prior to the first anniversary and after the six month anniversary of the amendment effective date, and (iii) 1.00% of the principal amount of term loans repaid, repriced or refinanced on or prior to the second anniversary and after the first anniversary of the amendment effective date, subject to reduction in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) under certain circumstances.
	Both the Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement and the Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement (i) expanded the definition of “Equity Interests” to include additional types of equity awards that are available for grant under the Company’s 2014 Plan and amendments related to the settlement of those awards, (ii) allow the Company to change its fiscal year to December 31, under certain circumstances, and (iii) waived certain defaults and events related to the conversion of certain subsidiaries of the Company to Delaware limited liability companies.
	Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the board of directors of the Company appointed Ryan Bohr as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Kevin Baehler, formerly the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer, as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, both effective October 27, 2014 and, in connection with a reorganization of the executive management team of the Company, approved the termination without cause of Richmond Holden, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Curriculum Group, and Patrick Collins, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Supplies Business, effective December 1, 2014.

Fresh_Start_Accounting_Tables

Fresh Start Accounting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, Reorganization Adjustments, and Fresh Start Adjustments	'
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet, reorganization adjustments and fresh start adjustments presented below summarize the impact of the Reorganization Plan and the adoption of fresh start accounting as of the Effective Date.
	Certain of the fresh start adjustments were updated between the Effective Date and finalization of fresh start accounting during the three months ended July 26, 2014. During the three months ended July 26, 2014, the Successor Company updated the estimated value of holders of unsecured claims that elect to provide the Company with customary trade terms and thereby recover 45% of their claims, per the Reorganization Plan (see Notes 3 and 7).
	REORGANIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF JUNE 11, 2013
			June 11, 2013
			Predecessor			Reorganization			Fresh Start			Successor
			Company			Adjustments			Adjustments			Company
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	11,052		$	4,363	(1)	$	—		$	15,415
	Restricted cash			26,421			—			—			26,421
	Accounts receivable			66,894			—			(250	) (8)		66,644
	Inventories			110,830			—			(8,147	) (8)		102,683
	Other current assets			45,819			321	(2)		(788	) (8)		45,352
	Total current assets			261,016			4,684			(9,185	)		256,515
	Property, plant and equipment, net			37,604			(6,202	) (2)		14,148	(8)		45,550
	Goodwill			—			—			21,588	(8)(9)		21,588
	Intangible assets, net			109,155			—			(56,795	) (8)		52,360
	Development costs and other			31,142			8,255	(3)		—			39,397
	Total assets		$	438,917		$	6,737		$	(30,244	)	$	415,410
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	38,226		$	—		$	—		$	38,226
	Accrued compensation			7,229			(315	) (2)		—			6,914
	Other accrued liabilities			60,301			9,947	(2)(4)(6)		22	(8)		70,270
	Total current liabilities			105,756			9,632			22			115,410
	Long-term debt			205,863			(39,939	) (5)		—			165,924
	Other liabilities			925			12,195	(2)(6)		—			13,120
	Liabilities subject to compromise			223,988			(223,988	) (6)		—			—
	Total liabilities		$	536,532		$	(242,100	)	$	22		$	294,454
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock - Predecessor		$	24		$	(24	) (7)	$	—		$	—
	Capital in excess of par value - Predecessor			446,232			(446,232	) (7)		—			—
	Treasury Stock - Predecessor			(186,637	)		186,637	(7)		—			—
	Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income - Predecessor			(357,234	)		387,500	(7)		(30,266	) (7)(8)		—
	Common stock - Successor			—			1	(7)		—			1
	Capital in excess of par value - Successor			—			120,955	(7)		—			120,955
	Total stockholders’ equity			(97,615	)		248,837			(30,266	)		120,956
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	438,917		$	6,737		$	(30,244	)	$	415,410
	-1	The Company deposited $7,647 of proceeds from its exit financing into a segregated cash account which was used to pay administrative claims and certain advisors in the bankruptcy proceedings. The Company utilized $3,284 of its cash balance immediately prior to emergence to fund a portion of the cash requirements from exit financing.
	-2	The Company recorded adjustments related to various contract rejections or amendments completed as part of the Reorganization Plan. This included a $6,202 write down of property, plant and equipment related to the amendment of capital lease obligations for the Mansfield, OH distribution center and the rejection of capital lease obligations for the Company’s Agawam, MA property. In addition, the Company recorded $920 related to various contract damages relating to lease rejections and severance obligations, classified between long-term and short-term liabilities.
	-3	In connection with entering into the exit credit facilities, the Company capitalized $8,255 of deferred financing costs.
	-4	Pursuant to the Chapter 11 Cases, additional professional fees of $2,057 were recorded. In addition, certain administrative and convenience claims of $8,435 were recorded as current liabilities, offset by accrued interest expense converted to new Successor Company equity.
	-5	The table below presents refinancing of the Predecessor long-term debt. The Company issued $78,620 of new Successor Company equity (including $21,375 in excess of debt carrying amount), partially offset by $17,306 of debt discount and other financing costs. The current portion of the reorganized debt was $25,251, which includes $23,823 of new Successor Company ABL loan.
			June 11, 2013
	Predecessor Company long-term debt		$	205,863
	Reorganization adjustments:
	Issuance of Successor Company equity			(78,620	)
	Equity issuance in excess of debt carrying amount			21,375
	Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing			17,306
	Reorganized Successor Company long-term debt		$	165,924
	-6	Liabilities subject to compromise generally refer to pre-petition obligations, secured or unsecured, that may be impaired by a plan of reorganization. FASB ASC 852 requires such liabilities, including those that became known after filing the Chapter 11 petitions, be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. These liabilities represented the estimated amount expected to be resolved on known or potential claims through the Chapter 11 process. Liabilities subject to compromise also includes items that may be assumed under the Reorganization Plan, and may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain pre-petition liabilities including accrued interest and accounts payable. At April 27, 2013, liabilities subject to compromise were $228,302, of which administrative claim payments of $4,314 were made in the Predecessor period of fiscal 2014. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:
			June 11, 2013
	Accounts payable		$	47,683
	2011 Debentures			163,688
	Pre-petition accrued interest on 2011 Debentures			979
	Sale-leaseback obligations			11,638
	Liabilities subject to compromise		$	223,988
	-7	The Company recorded elimination of (1) the Predecessor Company’s common stock, (2) the Predecessor Company’s capital in excess of par value, net of stock options cancellation of $3,624, (3) the Predecessor Company’s treasury stock, and (4) the Predecessor Company’s accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table represents reorganization value to be allocated to assets reconciled to the Successor Company Equity. The Company recorded Successor Company common stock of $1 and capital in excess of par value of $120,955.
			June 11, 2013
	Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets		$	415,410
	Less: Debt			(179,044	)
Less: Other liabilities			(115,410	)
Successor Company Equity		$	120,956
The above estimated amounts were updated during the three months ended July 26, 2014 (see Note 7).
-8	The following table represents the adjustments for fresh start accounting primarily related to recording goodwill, recording our intangible assets, fixed assets, and other assets and liabilities at fair value and related deferred income taxes in accordance with ASC 805. Additionally, such fresh start accounting adjustments reflect the increase in inventory reserve of $6,600, and elimination of certain capitalized costs of $1,426. The Company also recorded other fresh start accounting adjustments relating to (1) deferred rent included in current liabilities, (2) vendor rebates receivables in current assets, and (3) other current assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting. In addition, the impact of fresh start accounting adjustments on the accumulated retained earnings was eliminated.
		June 11, 2013
Fresh start accounting adjustments:
Goodwill		$	21,588
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets			(56,795	)
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets			15,522
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory			(8,147	)
Other fresh start accounting adjustments			(2,434	)
Total fresh start accounting adjustments		$	(30,266	)
-9	The following table represents a reconciliation of the enterprise value attributed to assets, determination of the total reorganization value to be allocated to these assets and the determination of goodwill:
		June 11, 2013
Enterprise value attributed to School Specialty		$	300,000
Plus: other liabilities (excluding debt)			115,410
Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets			415,410
Less: fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets			(393,822	)
Value of School Specialty assets in excess of fair value (Goodwill)		$	21,588

Reorganization_Items_Net_Table

Reorganization Items, Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Schedule of Reorganization Items	'
	The following table displays the details of reorganization items for the three and six months ended October 25, 2014, and the three months and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013:
		Successor Company					Successor		Successor			Predecessor
							Company		Company			Company
		Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended			Six Months Ended		Twenty Weeks Ended			Six Weeks Ended
		October 25, 2014		October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014		October 26, 2013			11-Jun-13
	Liabilities subject to compromise	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	223,988
	Issuance of capital in excess of par value		—		—			—		—			(42,335	)
	Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts		—		458			—		458			(19,710	)
	Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	$	—	$	458		$	—	$	458		$	161,943
	Fresh start accounting adjustments:
	Goodwill	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	21,588
	Fair value adjustment to intangible assets		—		—			—		—			(56,795	)
	Fair value adjustment to fixed assets		—		—			—		—			15,522
	Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory		—		—			—		—			(8,147	)
	Other fresh start accounting adjustments		—		—			—		—			(2,434	)
	Total fresh start accounting adjustments	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	(30,266	)
	Other reorganization adjustments:
	Asset write-downs due to contract rejections	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	(7,011	)
	Professional fees		—		(3,825	)		271		(5,105	)		(10,512	)
	Cancellation of equity-based awards		—		—			—		—			(3,624	)
	Financing fees		—		—			—		—			(2,853	)
	Issuance of equity in excess of debt carrying amount		—		—			—		—			(21,375	)
	Other		—		—			—		—			(1,503	)
	Total other reorganization adjustments	$	—	$	(3,825	)	$	271	$	(5,105	)	$	(46,878	)
	Total Reorganization items, net	$	—	$	(3,367	)	$	271	$	(4,647	)	$	84,799

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Changes in Condensed Consolidated Stockholders' Equity	'
	Changes in condensed consolidated stockholders’ equity during the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor Company), six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company), were as follows:
		Common			Additional			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated			Total
		Stock			Paid-in			(Accumulated						Other			Stockholders’
					Capital			Deficit)						Comprehensive			Equity
														Income (Loss)
	Balance, April 26, 2014 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	120,955		$	(17,485	)	$	—		$	(414	)	$	103,057
	Net income		—			—			22,937			—			—			22,937
	Share-based compensation expense		—			141			—			—			—			141
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(154	)		(154	)
	Change in Fresh Start estimate		—			(1,564	)		—			—			—			(1,564	)
	Balance, October 25, 2014 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	119,533		$	5,452		$	—		$	(568	)	$	124,418
		Common			Additional			Retained Earnings			Treasury			Accumulated			Total
		Stock			Paid-in			(Accumulated			Stock			Other			Stockholders’
					Capital			Deficit)						Comprehensive			Equity (Deficit)
														Income (Loss)
	Balance, April 27, 2013 (Predecessor Company)	$	24		$	446,232		$	(361,192	)	$	(186,637	)	$	22,381		$	(79,192	)
	Net income		—			—			76,068			—			—			76,068
	Foreign currency translation adjustment														(101	)		(101	)
	Cancellation of Predecessor Company common stock		(24	)		—			—			—			—			(24	)
	Elimination of Predecessor Company capital in excess of par		—			(446,232	)		—			—			—			(446,232	)
	Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated deficit		—			—			285,124			—			—			285,124
	Elimination of Predecessor Company treasury stock		—			—			—			186,637			—			186,637
	Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			(22,280	)		(22,280	)
	Balance, June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Issuance of Successor Company Common Stock	$	1		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1
	Establishment of Successor Company capital in excess of par		—			120,955			—			—			—			120,955
	Balance, June 12, 2013 (Successor Company)		1			120,955			—			—			—			120,956
	Net income		—			—			31,640			—			—			31,640
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			—			(106	)		(106	)
	Balance, October 26, 2013 (Successor Company)	$	1		$	120,955		$	31,640		$	—		$	(106	)	$	152,490

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) for the periods presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:
		Income (loss)		Weighted		Per Share
		(Numerator)		Average		Amount
				Shares
				(Denominator)
	Three months ended October 25, 2014:
	Basic EPS	$	11,923		1,000	$	11.92
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	11,923		1,000	$	11.92
	Three months ended October 26, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	14,697		1,000	$	14.7
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	14,697		1,000	$	14.7
		Income (loss)		Weighted		Per Share
		(Numerator)		Average		Amount
				Shares
				(Denominator)
	Six months ended October 25, 2014:
	Basic EPS	$	22,937		1,000	$	22.94
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	22,937		1,000	$	22.94
	Twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	31,640	$	1,000	$	31.64
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Successor Company)	$	31,640		1,000	$	31.64
	Six weeks ended June 11, 2013:
	Basic EPS	$	76,068		18,922	$	4.02
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options		—		—
	Basic and diluted EPS (Predecessor Company)	$	76,068		18,922	$	4.02

ShareBased_Compensation_Expens1

Share-Based Compensation Expense (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Summary of Option Activity	'
	A summary of the option activity for the Successor Company during the six months ended October 25, 2014 follows:
		Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Successor Company	Options			Weighted-		Options		Weighted-
					Average				Average
					Exercise				Exercise
					Price				Price
	Balance at April 26, 2014		—		$	—		—	$	—
	Granted		72			130
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled		(4	)		130
	Balance at October 25, 2014		68		$	—		—	$	—
	A summary of option activity for the Predecessor Company during the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 follows:
		Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Predecessor Company	Options			Weighted-		Options		Weighted-
					Average				Average
					Exercise				Exercise
					Price				Price
	Balance at April 27, 2013		2,550		$	15.27		1,207	$	24.76
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled		(2,550	)		15.27
	Balance at June 11, 2013		—		$	—		—	$	—

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	'
	The following tables present details of the Successor Company’s intangible assets, including the estimated useful lives, excluding goodwill:
	October 25, 2014	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	11,300	$	(1,231	)	$	10,069
	Publishing rights (20 years)		4,000		(283	)		3,717
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,700		(1,608	)		21,092
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(1,336	)		5,264
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(1,247	)		3,153
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,200		(340	)		860
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		2,160		(306	)		1,854
	Total intangible assets	$	52,360	$	(6,351	)	$	46,009
	April 26, 2014	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	11,300	$	(797	)	$	10,503
	Publishing rights (20 years)		4,000		(183	)		3,817
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,700		(1,040	)		21,660
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(864	)		5,736
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(807	)		3,593
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,200		(220	)		980
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		2,160		(198	)		1,962
	Total intangible assets	$	52,360	$	(4,109	)	$	48,251
	October 26, 2013	Gross Value		Accumulated			Net Book
				Amortization			Value
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (13 years)	$	9,400	$	(301	)	$	9,099
	Publishing rights (20 years)		2,500		(52	)		2,448
	Trademarks (20 years)		22,100		(460	)		21,640
	Developed technology (7 years)		6,600		(393	)		6,207
	Content (5 years)		4,400		(367	)		4,033
	Perpetual license agreements (5 years)		1,500		(125	)		1,375
	Favorable leasehold interests (10 years)		1,961		(82	)		1,879
	Total intangible assets	$	48,461	$	(1,780	)	$	46,681
Estimated Intangible Asset Amortization Expense	'
	Intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and the remainder of fiscal 2015 is estimated to be:
	Fiscal 2015 (six months remaining)	$	2,242
	Fiscal 2016		4,483
	Fiscal 2017		4,483
	Fiscal 2018		4,483
	Fiscal 2019		3,456
	Fiscal 2020		3,363
Changes to Goodwill	'
	The table below shows the allocation to the segments of the recorded goodwill as of October 25, 2014. There were no changes during the twelve month period ending October 25, 2014, other than fresh start accounting adjustments.
		Distribution		Curriculum			Total
		Segment		Segment
	Fresh Start Valuation:
	Goodwill	$	14,666	$	6,922		$	21,588
	Balance at October 25, 2014	$	14,666	$	6,922		$	21,588

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A1

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate under Cost Method	'
	The investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following:
		Percent			October 25, 2014		April 26, 2014		October 26, 2013
		Owned
	Carson- Dellosa Publishing, LLC		35	%	$	715	$	715	$	715

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
		October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Land	$	—		$	—		$	210
	Projects in progress		3,635			10,854			3,391
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		3,749			3,595			3,682
	Furniture, fixtures and other		36,564			30,525			30,400
	Machinery and warehouse equipment		11,485			6,770			6,174
	Total property, plant and equipment		55,433			51,744			43,857
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(17,815	)		(12,699	)		(6,290	)
	Net property, plant and equipment	$	37,618		$	39,045		$	37,567

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	New ABL Facility, maturing in 2018	$	9,336		$	10,600		$	3,900
	New Term Loan, maturing in 2019		142,681			143,913			144,638
	New Term Loan Original Issue Discount		(2,231	)		(2,473	)		(2,715	)
	Deferred Cash Payment Obligations, maturing in 2019		16,997			14,335			11,738
	Total debt		166,783			166,375			157,561
	Less: Current maturities		(10,273	)		(12,388	)		(5,334	)
	Total long-term debt	$	156,510		$	153,987		$	152,227

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor), six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company) were as follows:
		Foreign
		Currency
		Translation
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at April 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	(414	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		198
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at July 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	(216	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(352	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at October 25, 2014 (Successor)	$	(568	)
		Foreign
		Currency
		Translation
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	22,381
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(101	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		(22,280	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	—
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at July 27, 2013 (Successor)	$	(7	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(99	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at October 26, 2013 (Successor)	$	(106	)

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Reconciliation of Accrued Restructuring Costs	'
	The following is a reconciliation of accrued restructuring costs for the six months ended October 25, 2014 (Successor Company), the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company) and the twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 (Successor Company):
		Distribution			Curriculum			Corporate			Total
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at April 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	58		$	135		$	193
	Amounts charged to expense		15			—			97			112
	Payments		(15	)		(58	)		(159	)		(232	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at July 26, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	—		$	73		$	73
	Amounts charged to expense		—			—			1,631			1,631
	Payments		—			—			(282	)		(282	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at October 25, 2014 (Successor)	$	—		$	—		$	1,422		$	1,422
		Distribution			Curriculum			Corporate			Total
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	(21	)	$	149		$	588		$	716
	Amounts charged to expense		21			—			—			21
	Payments		—			(15	)		(167	)		(182	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor)	$	—		$	134		$	421		$	555
	Reclassification		406			—			(406	)		—
	Amounts charged to expense		—			31			1,325			1,356
	Payments		(158	)		(37	)		(1,328	)		(1,523	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at July 27, 2013 (Successor)	$	248		$	128		$	12		$	388
	Amounts charged to expense		47			62			2,140			2,249
	Payments		(271	)		(103	)		(675	)		(1,049	)
	Accrued Restructuring Costs at October 26, 2013 (Successor)	$	24		$	87		$	1,477		$	1,588

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
Segment Information	'
			Successor			Successor			Successor						Predecessor
			Three Months			Three Months			Six Months			Twenty Weeks			Six Weeks Ended
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended			June 11, 2013
			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Revenues:
	Distribution		$	207,880		$	214,892		$	374,549		$	339,213		$	49,142
	Curriculum			30,790			30,737			63,590			49,914			9,555
	Total		$	238,670		$	245,629		$	438,139		$	389,128		$	58,697
	Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before taxes:
	Distribution		$	18,376		$	21,093		$	31,924		$	40,552		$	(2,658	)
	Curriculum			3,717			2,968			9,335			7,400			(1,197	)
	Corporate and intercompany eliminations (1)			(5,093	)		(4,818	)		(7,768	)		(7,413	)		—
	Operating income			17,000			19,243			33,491			40,539			(3,855	)
	Interest expense and reorganization items, net			5,248			4,540			10,781			8,641			(81,564	)
	Income before provision for income taxes		$	11,752		$	14,703		$	22,710		$	31,898		$	77,709
			Successor			Successor			Successor
			October 25, 2014			April 26, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Identifiable assets:
	Distribution		$	239,521		$	214,723		$	260,313
	Curriculum			99,144			103,622			82,929
	Corporate assets			19,305			21,274			30,221
	Total		$	357,970		$	339,619		$	373,463
			Successor			Successor			Successor						Predecessor
			Three Months			Three Months			Six Months			Twenty Weeks			Six Weeks Ended
			Ended			Ended			Ended			Ended			June 11, 2013
			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013			October 25, 2014			October 26, 2013
	Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
	Distribution		$	4,299		$	6,924		$	8,246		$	10,830		$	2,080
	Curriculum			3,661			1,890			7,755			2,328			1,821
	Total		$	7,960		$	8,814		$	16,001		$	13,158		$	3,901
	Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs:
	Distribution		$	2,444		$	1,472		$	5,119		$	2,219		$	317
	Curriculum			1,964			1,446			3,597			2,093			389
	Total		$	4,408		$	2,918		$	8,716		$	4,312		$	706
	-1	Operating expenses in Corporate for the Successor’s three month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the Successor’s three month period ended October 26, 2013 were $5,093 and $4,818, respectively. Operating expenses in Corporate for the six month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 were $7,768 and $7,413, respectively. These amounts included restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other corporate professional expenses.

Bankruptcy_Proceedings_Additio

Bankruptcy Proceedings - Additional Information (Detail) (Reorganization Adjustments, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 25, 2014
	Director
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]	'
Common stock, shares issued	1,000,004
Reorganized Company common stock Percentage	35.00%
Fair value ownership interest	$78,600
Interest rate	3.75%
Maturity year	'2026
Amount of claims to be settled in cash under Reorganization Plan	3
Number of initial board of directors of the reorganized Company	4
Ad Hoc DIP Facility	'
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]	'
Cash receivable under the Senior Secured Super Priority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement	98,000
Reorganized Company common stock Percentage	65.00%
Fair value ownership interest	21,400
Reorganization loss	21,400
Percentage of deferred cash payment	20.00%
Ad Hoc DIP Facility | Maximum	'
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]	'
Percentage of deferred cash payment	45.00%
Ad Hoc DIP Facility | Non Cash	'
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]	'
Fair value ownership interest	$57,200

Fresh_Start_Accounting_Additio

Fresh Start Accounting - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 25, 2014
					Average debt	Average equity	Predecessor	Predecessor	Maximum	Minimum	Midpoint
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of voting shares by previous shareholders in emerging entity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50.00%	'	'
Pre-emergence gain resulting from discharge of liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$161,943	'	'	'
Reorganization items	-3,825	-5,105	271	'	'	'	-46,878	-46,878	'	'	'
Pre-emergence decrease in earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-30,266	'	'	'
Estimated enterprise value	'	'	300,000	300,000	179,000	121,000	'	'	325,000	275,000	300,000
Reorganization value	'	'	415,410	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reorganization value in excess of fair value of assets	'	'	$21,588	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discounted cash flow calculation, cash flow period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'2017	'2014	'
WACC used	'	'	13.30%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exit multiples of EBITDA	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8.1	4.4	5.5

Reorganized_Condensed_Consolid

Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	$15,415
Restricted cash	0	'	'	26,421
Accounts receivable	117,990	62,631	122,180	66,644
Inventories	70,147	93,387	67,744	102,683
Other current assets	'	'	'	45,352
Total current assets	219,993	193,326	226,067	256,515
Property, plant and equipment, net	37,618	39,045	37,567	45,550
Goodwill	21,588	21,588	25,535	21,588
Intangible assets, net	46,009	48,251	46,681	52,360
Development costs and other	32,034	36,646	36,847	39,397
Total assets	357,970	339,619	373,463	415,410
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	36,348	42,977	25,763	38,226
Accrued compensation	12,046	8,966	13,144	6,914
Other accrued liabilities	14,640	14,460	19,310	70,270
Total current liabilities	76,235	81,404	66,639	115,410
Long-term debt	156,510	153,987	152,227	165,924
Other liabilities	807	1,171	2,107	13,120
Total liabilities	233,552	236,562	220,973	294,454
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1	1	1	'
Capital in excess of par value	119,533	120,955	120,955	'
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	-568	-414	-106	'
Total stockholders' equity	124,418	103,057	152,490	120,956
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	357,970	339,619	373,463	415,410
Successor	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock	'	'	'	1
Capital in excess of par value	'	'	'	120,955
Fresh Start Adjustment	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	-250	[1]
Inventories	'	'	'	-8,147	[1]
Other current assets	'	'	'	-788	[1]
Total current assets	'	'	'	-9,185
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	'	14,148	[1]
Goodwill	'	'	'	21,588	[1],[2]
Intangible assets, net	'	'	'	-56,795	[1]
Total assets	'	'	'	-30,244
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	'	'	'	22	[1]
Total current liabilities	'	'	'	22
Total liabilities	'	'	'	22
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	'	'	'	-30,266	[1],[3]
Total stockholders' equity	'	'	'	-30,266
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	'	'	'	-30,244
Reorganization Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	4,363	[4]
Other current assets	'	'	'	321	[5]
Total current assets	'	'	'	4,684
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	'	-6,202	[5]
Development costs and other	'	'	'	8,255	[6]
Total assets	'	'	'	6,737
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accrued compensation	'	'	'	-315	[5]
Other accrued liabilities	'	'	'	9,947	[5],[7],[8]
Total current liabilities	'	'	'	9,632
Long-term debt	'	'	'	-39,939	[9]
Other liabilities	'	'	'	12,195	[5],[8]
Liabilities subject to compromise	'	'	'	-223,988	[8]
Total liabilities	'	'	'	-242,100
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock	'	'	'	-24	[3]
Capital in excess of par value	'	'	'	-446,232	[3]
Treasury Stock	'	'	'	186,637	[3]
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	'	'	'	387,500	[3]
Total stockholders' equity	'	'	'	248,837
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	'	'	'	6,737
Reorganization Adjustments | Successor	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock	'	'	'	1	[3]
Capital in excess of par value	'	'	'	120,955	[3]
Predecessor	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	11,052
Restricted cash	'	'	'	26,421
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	66,894
Inventories	'	'	'	110,830
Other current assets	'	'	'	45,819
Total current assets	'	'	'	261,016
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	'	37,604
Intangible assets, net	'	'	'	109,155
Development costs and other	'	'	'	31,142
Total assets	'	'	'	438,917
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	38,226
Accrued compensation	'	'	'	7,229
Other accrued liabilities	'	'	'	60,301
Total current liabilities	'	'	'	105,756
Long-term debt	'	'	'	205,863
Other liabilities	'	'	'	925
Liabilities subject to compromise	'	'	'	223,988
Total liabilities	'	'	'	536,532
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	'	'	'	'
Common stock	'	'	'	24
Capital in excess of par value	'	'	'	446,232
Treasury Stock	'	'	'	-186,637
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	'	'	'	-357,234
Total stockholders' equity	'	'	'	-97,615
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	'	'	'	$438,917
[1]	The following table represents the adjustments for fresh start accounting primarily related to recording goodwill, recording our intangible assets, fixed assets, and other assets and liabilities at fair value and related deferred income taxes in accordance with ASC 805. Additionally, such fresh start accounting adjustments reflect the increase in inventory reserve of $6,600, and elimination of certain capitalized costs of $1,426. The Company also recorded other fresh start accounting adjustments relating to (1) deferred rent included in current liabilities, (2) vendor rebates receivables in current assets, and (3) other current assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting. In addition, the impact of fresh start accounting adjustments on the accumulated retained earnings was eliminated. June 11, 2013 Fresh start accounting adjustments: Goodwill $ 25,535 Fair value adjustment to intangible assets (60,695 ) Fair value adjustment to fixed assets 15,475 Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory (8,147 ) Other fresh start accounting adjustments (2,434 ) Total fresh start accounting adjustments $ (30,266 )
[2]	The following table represents a reconciliation of the enterprise value attributed to assets, determination of the total reorganization value to be allocated to these assets and the determination of goodwill:
[3]	The Company recorded elimination of (1) the Predecessor Company's common stock, (2) the Predecessor Company's capital in excess of par value, net of stock options cancellation of $3,624, (3) the Predecessor Company's treasury stock, and (4) the Predecessor Company's accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss. The following table represents reorganization value to be allocated to assets reconciled to the Successor Company Equity. The Company recorded Successor Company common stock of $1 and capital in excess of par value of $120,955.
[4]	The Company deposited $7,647 of proceeds from its exit financing into a segregated cash account which was used to pay administrative claims and certain advisors in the bankruptcy proceedings. The Company utilized $3,284 of its cash balance immediately prior to emergence to fund a portion of the cash requirements from exit financing.
[5]	The Company recorded adjustments related to various contract rejections or amendments completed as part of the Reorganization Plan. This included a $6,202 write down of property, plant and equipment related to the amendment of capital lease obligations for the Mansfield, OH distribution center and the rejection of capital lease obligations for the Company's Agawam, MA property. In addition, the Company recorded $920 related to various contract damages relating to lease rejections and severance obligations, classified between long-term and short-term liabilities.
[6]	In connection with entering into the exit credit facilities, the Company capitalized $8,255 of deferred financing costs.
[7]	Pursuant to the Chapter 11 Cases, additional professional fees of $2,057 were recorded. In addition, certain administrative and convenience claims of $8,435 were recorded as current liabilities, offset by accrued interest expense converted to new Successor Company equity.
[8]	Liabilities subject to compromise generally refer to pre-petition obligations, secured or unsecured, that may be impaired by a plan of reorganization. FASB ASC 852 requires such liabilities, including those that became known after filing the Chapter 11 petitions, be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. These liabilities represented the estimated amount expected to be resolved on known or potential claims through the Chapter 11 process. Liabilities subject to compromise also includes items that may be assumed under the Reorganization Plan, and may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain pre-petition liabilities including accrued interest and accounts payable. At April 27, 2013, liabilities subject to compromise were $228,302, of which administrative claim payments of $4,314 were made in the Predecessor period of fiscal 2014. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:
[9]	The table below presents refinancing of the Predecessor long-term debt. The Company issued $78,620 of new Successor Company equity (including $21,375 in excess of debt carrying amount), partially offset by $17,306 of debt discount and other financing costs. The current portion of the reorganized debt was $25,251, which includes $23,823 of new Successor Company ABL loan.

Reorganized_Condensed_Consolid1

Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Apr. 27, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Inventory Valuation Reserve

ABL DIP Facility

Predecessor

Predecessor

Fresh Start Adjustment

Reorganization Adjustments

Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount used to pay administrative claims and advisors

$7,647

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,314

'

'

Utilization of cash balance to fund a portion of the cash requirements from exit financing

3,284

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write down of property, plant and equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,202

'

Contract damages related to severance and lease rejections

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

920

'

Deferred financing costs relate to exit financing facilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,255

Accrued Professional Fees, Current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,057

Administrative and convenience claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,435

New equity issued for Successor Company

-78,620

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of additional stock to Ad Hoc lenders in excess of debt

21,375

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing

17,306

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reorganized debt

25,251

'

'

'

'

'

23,823

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

165,924

156,510

'

153,987

152,227

'

'

205,863

'

'

-39,939

[1]

Reorganization adjustments:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Successor Company equity

-78,620

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity issuance in excess of debt carrying amount

21,375

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing

17,306

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reorganized Successor Company long-term debt

165,924

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities subject to compromise

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

223,988

228,302

'

-223,988

[2]

Accounts payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,683

'

'

'

2011 Debentures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

163,688

'

'

'

Pre-petition accrued interest on 2011 Debentures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

979

'

'

'

Sale-leaseback obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,638

'

'

'

Establishment of successor company common stock

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Establishment of successor additional paid in capital

120,955

-1,564

-1,564

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cancellation of equity based awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,624

'

'

'

Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets

415,410

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

415,410

Less: Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-179,044

Less: Other liabilities

115,410

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-115,410

Total reorganization items, net

'

415,410

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,956

Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory

-8,147

'

'

'

'

6,600

'

'

'

'

'

Fresh start adjustment eliminated capitalize idle cost

1,426

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

21,588

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value adjustment to intangible assets

-56,795

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value adjustment to fixed assets

15,522

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other fresh start accounting adjustments

-2,434

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fresh start accounting adjustments

-30,266

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Enterprise value attributed to School Specialty

300,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets

($393,822)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

The table below presents refinancing of the Predecessor long-term debt. The Company issued $78,620 of new Successor Company equity (including $21,375 in excess of debt carrying amount), partially offset by $17,306 of debt discount and other financing costs. The current portion of the reorganized debt was $25,251, which includes $23,823 of new Successor Company ABL loan.

[2]

Liabilities subject to compromise generally refer to pre-petition obligations, secured or unsecured, that may be impaired by a plan of reorganization. FASB ASC 852 requires such liabilities, including those that became known after filing the Chapter 11 petitions, be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. These liabilities represented the estimated amount expected to be resolved on known or potential claims through the Chapter 11 process. Liabilities subject to compromise also includes items that may be assumed under the Reorganization Plan, and may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain pre-petition liabilities including accrued interest and accounts payable. At April 27, 2013, liabilities subject to compromise were $228,302, of which administrative claim payments of $4,314 were made in the Predecessor period of fiscal 2014. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:

Schedule_of_Reorganization_Ite

Schedule of Reorganization Items (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Reorganization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts	'	$458	$458	'
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	'	458	458	'
Fresh start accounting adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	21,588	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets	-56,795	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets	15,522	'	'	'
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory	-8,147	'	'	'
Other fresh start accounting adjustments	-2,434	'	'	'
Total fresh start accounting adjustments	-30,266	'	'	'
Other reorganization adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Professional fees	'	-3,825	-5,105	271
Issuance of equity in excess of debt carrying amount	-21,375	'	'	'
Total other reorganization adjustments	'	-3,825	-5,105	271
Total Reorganization items, net	'	-3,367	-4,647	-271
Predecessor	'	'	'	'
Reorganization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities subject to compromise	223,988	'	'	'
Issuance of capital in excess of par value	-42,335	'	'	'
Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts	-19,710	'	'	'
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	161,943	'	'	'
Fresh start accounting adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	21,588	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets	-56,795	'	'	'
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets	15,522	'	'	'
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory	-8,147	'	'	'
Other fresh start accounting adjustments	-2,434	'	'	'
Total fresh start accounting adjustments	-30,266	'	'	'
Other reorganization adjustments:	'	'	'	'
Asset write-downs due to contract rejections	-7,011	'	'	'
Professional fees	-10,512	'	'	'
Cancellation of equity-based awards	-3,624	'	'	'
Financing fees	-2,853	'	'	'
Issuance of equity in excess of debt carrying amount	-21,375	'	'	'
Other	-1,503	'	'	'
Total other reorganization adjustments	-46,878	'	'	-46,878
Total Reorganization items, net	$84,799	'	'	'

Reorganization_Items_Net_Addit

Reorganization Items, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Reorganization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	'	$458	$458	'
Total fresh start accounting adjustments	-30,266	'	'	'
Other reorganization adjustments	'	-3,825	-5,105	271
Issuance of additional stock to Ad Hoc lenders in excess of debt	21,375	'	'	'
Predecessor	'	'	'	'
Reorganization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reorganized Company common stock Percentage	35.00%	'	'	'
Issuance of capital in excess of par value	-42,335	'	'	'
Administrative claims classified as short-term liabilities	8,335	'	'	'
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	161,943	'	'	'
Total fresh start accounting adjustments	-30,266	'	'	'
Other reorganization adjustments	-46,878	'	'	-46,878
Issuance of additional stock to Ad Hoc lenders in excess of debt	21,375	'	'	'
Professional fees and financing fees	13,365	'	'	'
Cancellation of equity based awards	3,624	'	'	'
Reorganizational expense	$7,011	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified						Predecessor
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cancellation of indebtedness income excluded from taxable income	'	'	'	'	'	$129,084
Tax valuation allowance	'	30,573	'	71,272	32,638	'
Unrecognized income tax benefits, net of federal tax benefits	$115	$398	$560	'	'	'

Changes_in_Condensed_Consolida

Changes in Condensed Consolidated Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Apr. 27, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Predecessor

Predecessor

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

Common Stock

Additional Paid-in Capital

Additional Paid-in Capital

Additional Paid-in Capital

Additional Paid-in Capital

Additional Paid-in Capital

Retained Earnings

Retained Earnings

Retained Earnings

Retained Earnings

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Elimination

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Elimination

Elimination

Elimination

Elimination

Elimination

Shareholders Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

'

'

$120,956

$103,057

'

'

($79,192)

'

$1

$1

$1

$1

$24

'

$120,955

$120,955

$120,955

$446,232

'

'

($17,485)

($361,192)

'

($186,637)

'

'

($414)

$22,381

'

Cancellation of Predecessor Company common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24

'

'

'

'

'

-24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

11,923

14,697

31,640

22,937

'

'

76,068

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31,640

22,937

76,068

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based compensation expense

'

'

'

141

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

141

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign currency translation adjustment

-352

-99

-106

-154

'

'

-101

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-106

-154

-101

'

Change in Fresh Start estimate

-1,564

'

'

-1,564

-1,564

120,955

'

-446,232

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,564

'

'

'

-446,232

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance

124,418

152,490

152,490

124,418

'

'

'

'

1

1

1

1

'

'

119,533

120,955

120,955

'

'

31,640

5,452

'

'

-186,637

'

-106

-568

'

'

Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated deficit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

285,124

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

285,124

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Successor Company Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Elimination of Predecessor Company treasury stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

186,637

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

186,637

'

'

'

'

Establishment of Successor Company capital in excess of par

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,955

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,955

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated other comprehensive loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($22,280)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($22,280)

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Decrease in Company's opening equity	($1,564)	($1,564)	$120,955
Increase in long-term debt	'	$1,564	'
Unsecured Trade Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations	'	'	'
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment	45.00%	45.00%	'
General Unsecured Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations	'	'	'
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment	20.00%	20.00%	'

Companys_Computations_of_Basic

Company's Computations of Basic and Diluted EPS for the Periods Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Components Of Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss), basic	$76,068	$11,923	$14,697	$31,640	$22,937
Net income (loss), basic and diluted	'	11,923	14,697	31,640	22,937
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator), Basic EPS	18,922	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options	0	0	0	0	0
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator), Basic and Diluted EPS	'	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000
Per share amount, Basic EPS	$4.02	$11.92	$14.70	$31.64	$22.94
Per share amount, Basic and Diluted EPS	'	$11.92	$14.70	$31.64	$22.94
Predecessor	'	'	'	'	'
Components Of Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss), basic and diluted	$76,068	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator), Basic EPS	18,922	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator), Basic and Diluted EPS	18,922	'	'	'	'
Per share amount, Basic EPS	$4.02	'	'	'	'
Per share amount, Basic and Diluted EPS	$4.02	'	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding	66,000	0	0	60,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Expens2

Share-Based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

Sep. 04, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 27, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Apr. 27, 2013

Sep. 25, 2014

22-May-14

Apr. 24, 2014

Sep. 04, 2014

28-May-14

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

OptionPlan

CompensationPlan

Predecessor

Predecessor

2014 Incentive Plan

2014 Incentive Plan

2014 Incentive Plan

Stock options

Stock appreciation rights (SARs)

Stock appreciation rights (SARs)

Stock Option

Stock Option

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of share based employee compensation plans

'

'

1

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock options granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

36

32

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock options outstanding

'

'

'

'

0

'

2,550,000

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation, recognized

$0

$141,000

$141,000

'

'

$3,624,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

Share-based compensation, vesting rights

'

'

'The 32 stock options that were awarded to the Company's CEO will vest as to one-fourth of the options on the first four anniversaries of the date of award. The 40 options that were awarded to other members of management will vest as to one-half of the options on the second anniversary of the date of award and as to one-fourth of the options on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the award date.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value of option

'

'

$55.24

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average risk free rate

'

'

2.01%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected volatility

'

'

48.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected term

'

'

'6 years 3 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise price

'

$130

$130

'

'

'

$15.27

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term

'

'

'9 years 6 months 26 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options vested

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options outstanding, intrinsic value

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax benefit recognized related to share based compensation expense

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized stock- based compensation

'

3,623,000

3,623,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

Awards granted, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$130,000

'

'

'

Summary_of_Option_Transactions

Summary of Option Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
			Predecessor	Successor
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Options, Beginning Balance	'	0	2,550,000	'
Options Outstanding, Options, Granted	'	'	'	72,000
Options Outstanding, Options, Exercised	'	'	0	0
Options Outstanding, Options, Canceled	'	'	-2,550,000	-4,000
Options Outstanding, Options, Ending Balance	'	0	'	68,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$130	'	$15.27	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	'	'	'	$130
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	'	'	$0	$0
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Canceled	'	'	$15.27	$130
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$130	'	'	'
Options Exercisable, Options, Beginning Balance	'	'	1,207,000	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	'	'	$24.76	'

Intangible_Assets_Excluding_Go

Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	$52,360	$52,360	$48,461
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-6,351	-4,109	-1,780
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	46,009	48,251	46,681
Customer relationships	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	11,300	11,300	9,400
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,231	-797	-301
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	10,069	10,503	9,099
Publishing rights	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	4,000	4,000	2,500
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-283	-183	-52
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	3,717	3,817	2,448
Trademarks	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	22,700	22,700	22,100
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,608	-1,040	-460
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	21,092	21,660	21,640
Developed Technology	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	6,600	6,600	6,600
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,336	-864	-393
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	5,264	5,736	6,207
Content	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	4,400	4,400	4,400
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-1,247	-807	-367
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	3,153	3,593	4,033
Perpetual licensing agreements	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	1,200	1,200	1,500
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-340	-220	-125
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	860	980	1,375
Favorable leasehold interests	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	2,160	2,160	1,961
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-306	-198	-82
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	$1,854	$1,962	$1,879

Intangible_Assets_Excluding_Go1

Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail)	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014
Customer relationships	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'13 years	'13 years	'13 years
Publishing rights	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'20 years	'20 years	'20 years
Trademarks	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'20 years	'20 years	'20 years
Developed Technology	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'7 years	'7 years	'7 years
Content	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years
Perpetual licensing agreements	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years
Favorable leasehold interests	'	'	'
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	'10 years	'10 years	'10 years

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$21,588	$21,588	$25,535	$21,588	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets amortization expense reflected in selling, general and administrative expense	'	'	'	'	$1,138	$1,121	$1,217	$1,780	$2,242

Intangible_Asset_Amortization_

Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Fiscal 2015 (six months remaining)	$2,242
Fiscal 2016	4,483
Fiscal 2017	4,483
Fiscal 2018	4,483
Fiscal 2019	3,456
Fiscal 2020	$3,363

Changes_to_Goodwill_Detail

Changes to Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$21,588	'	'	'
Goodwill, Total	21,588	21,588	25,535	21,588
Distribution	'	'	'	'
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	14,666	'	'	'
Goodwill, Total	14,666	'	'	'
Curriculum	'	'	'	'
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	6,922	'	'	'
Goodwill, Total	$6,922	'	'	'

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A2

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Additional Information (Detail) (Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC)	Oct. 25, 2014
Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'
Cost method investment, percent owned	35.00%

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_A3

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate under Equity Method (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$715	$715	$715
Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost method investment, percent owned	35.00%	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$715	$715	$715

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	$55,433	$51,744	$43,857	'
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-17,815	-12,699	-6,290	'
Net property, plant and equipment	37,618	39,045	37,567	45,550
Land	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	'	'	210	'
Projects in progress	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	3,635	10,854	3,391	'
Building and leasehold improvements	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	3,749	3,595	3,682	'
Furniture, fixtures and other	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	36,564	30,525	30,400	'
Machinery and warehouse equipment	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment	$11,485	$6,770	$6,174	'

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$1,845	$3,562	$5,397	$7,700	$6,810

Assets_Held_for_Sale_Additiona

Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail)	Oct. 25, 2014
Businesses Held For Sale Divestitures And Impairments [Line Items]	'
Percentage of printing done by Premier	30.00%

LongTerm_Debt_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total debt	$166,783	$166,375	$157,561	'
Less: Current maturities	-10,273	-12,388	-5,334	'
Total long-term debt	156,510	153,987	152,227	165,924
Total debt	166,783	166,375	157,561	'
New ABL Facility	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total debt	9,336	10,600	3,900	'
Total debt	9,336	10,600	3,900	'
New Term Loan	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total debt	142,681	143,913	144,638	'
New Term Loan Original Issue Discount	-2,231	-2,473	-2,715	'
Total debt	142,681	143,913	144,638	'
Deferred Cash Payment Obligations	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total debt	16,997	14,335	11,738	'
Total debt	$16,997	$14,335	$11,738	'

LongTerm_Debt_Parenthetical_De

Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
New ABL Facility	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Maturity year	'2018
New Term Loan	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Maturity year	'2019
Deferred Cash Payment Obligations	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Maturity year	'2019

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Interest Rate Swap

Interest Rate Swap

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New Term Loan

New ABL Facility

New ABL Facility

New ABL Facility

New ABL Facility

New ABL Facility

New ABL Facility

General Unsecured Creditors

General Unsecured Creditors

Unsecured Trade Creditors

Unsecured Trade Creditors

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3

Federal Funds Rate

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Floor Rate

Interest Rate Swap

Interest Rate Swap

Asset Based Credit Agreement, maturing in 2014

Federal Funds Rate

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

Cash Flow Hedging

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit Agreement, borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$175,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

ABL Facility, interest rate covenants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Outstanding amounts under the New ABL Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Companybs election: (1) a base rate (equal to the greatest of (a) the prime lending rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) (the bBase Rateb) plus an applicable margin (equal to a specified margin based on the interest rate elected by the Company, the fixed charge coverage ratio under the New ABL Facility and the applicable point in the life of the New ABL Facility) (the bApplicable Marginb), or (2) a LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Margin (the bLIBOR Rateb). Interest on loans under the New ABL Facility bearing interest based upon the Base Rate will be due monthly in arrears, and interest on loans bearing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate will be due on the last day of each relevant interest period or, if sooner, on the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such interest period.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.65%

10.64%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.45%

6.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of loan origination fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

293

587

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

289

578

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fees on unborrowed funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

137

307

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ABL Facility outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,336

9,336

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11-Jun-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11-Jun-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term Loan, aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

145,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debentures interest rate stated percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original issue discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The outstanding principal amount of the New Term Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable LIBOR rate (with a 1% floor) plus 8.50%, or the base rate plus a margin of 7.50%.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original issue discount amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121

242

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

140,450

140,450

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Currently maturing long term debt

10,273

5,334

5,334

10,273

12,388

'

'

'

'

'

'

937

937

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of days to enter into interest rate hedge after the effective date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of term loan under interest rate hedge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inception date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27-Aug-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Termination date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11-Sep-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.49%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.99%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount of swaps

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change in fair value of interest rate swap

-42

-622

-622

-29

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate on notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.15%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

142,681

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

20.00%

45.00%

45.00%

Paid-in-kind interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

10.00%

'

Maturity month and year

'

'

'

'

'

'2019-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

166,783

157,561

157,561

166,783

166,375

16,997

14,335

11,738

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,031

'

12,014

'

Accrued interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

$1,952

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
								Predecessor
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balance	($568)	($414)	($106)	'	($216)	($414)	($7)	$22,381
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	'	-7	-352	198	-99	-101
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-22,280
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	($568)	($414)	($106)	($7)	($568)	($216)	($106)	'

Reconciliation_of_Accrued_Rest

Reconciliation of Accrued Restructuring Costs (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jul. 27, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jul. 27, 2013

Jul. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jul. 27, 2013

Jul. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jul. 27, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Jul. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Non operating

Non operating

Non operating

Non operating

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Non operating

Distribution

Curriculum

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance

'

$73

$193

$388

'

'

$248

'

$58

$128

'

$73

$135

$12

$716

($21)

$149

$588

Reclassification

'

'

'

'

406

'

'

'

'

'

-406

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts charged to expense

1,356

1,631

112

2,249

'

15

47

31

'

62

1,325

1,631

97

2,140

21

21

'

'

Payments

-1,523

-282

-232

-1,049

-158

-15

-271

-37

-58

-103

-1,328

-282

-159

-675

-182

'

-15

-167

Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance

$388

$1,422

$73

$1,588

$248

'

$24

$128

'

$87

$12

$1,422

$73

$1,477

$555

'

$134

$421

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
					Reorganization Item, Net	Facility Exit Costs and Restructuring	Facility Exit Costs and Restructuring	Facility Exit Costs and Restructuring	Facility Exit Costs and Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	$1,929	$2,249	$3,605	$2,062	$21	$1,356	$1,631	$112	$2,249

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of operating segments	2

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Jun. 11, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 26, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 25, 2014

Apr. 26, 2014

Oct. 26, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Jun. 11, 2013

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Corporate and intercompany eliminations

Corporate and intercompany eliminations

Corporate and intercompany eliminations

Corporate and intercompany eliminations

Non operating

Non operating

Non operating

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Predecessor

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum

Distribution

Curriculum

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Distribution

Curriculum

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

$238,670

$245,629

$389,128

$438,139

'

'

$207,880

$214,892

$339,213

$374,549

$30,790

$30,737

$49,914

$63,590

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$58,697

$49,142

$9,555

'

'

Operating income (loss) and income (loss) before taxes:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income (loss)

17,000

19,243

40,539

33,491

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,376

21,093

40,552

31,924

'

3,717

2,968

7,400

9,335

'

-5,093

[1]

-4,818

[1]

-7,413

[1]

-7,768

[1]

'

'

'

-3,855

'

'

-2,658

-1,197

Interest expense and reorganization items, net

5,248

4,540

8,641

10,781

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-81,564

'

'

'

'

Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

11,752

14,703

31,898

22,710

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77,709

'

'

'

'

Identifiable assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Identifiable assets

357,970

373,463

373,463

357,970

339,619

415,410

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

239,521

260,313

260,313

239,521

214,723

99,144

82,929

82,929

99,144

103,622

'

'

'

'

19,305

21,274

30,221

'

'

'

'

'

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs

7,960

8,814

13,158

16,001

'

'

4,299

6,924

10,830

8,246

3,661

1,890

2,328

7,755

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,901

2,080

1,821

'

'

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs

$4,408

$2,918

$4,312

$8,716

'

'

$2,444

$1,472

$2,219

$5,119

$1,964

$1,446

$2,093

$3,597

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$706

$317

$389

'

'

[1]

Operating expenses in Corporate for the Successor's three month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the Successor's three month period ended October 26, 2013 were $5,093 and $4,818, respectively. Operating expenses in Corporate for the six month period ended October 25, 2014 and for the twenty weeks ended October 26, 2013 were $7,768 and $7,413, respectively. These amounts included restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other corporate professional expenses.

Segment_Information_Parentheti

Segment Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Non operating, USD $)	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014
Non operating	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses	$5,093	$4,818	$7,413	$7,768

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					4 Months Ended		7 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013	Jan. 26, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Oct. 26, 2013	Oct. 25, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014
									Term Loan	Term Loan	Term Loan
										Interest Expense	Early Termination Fees
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash placed into restricted account	$119	'	'	$25,000	'	$2,708	'	'	$1,280	'	'
Early termination fee	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,000
Refund of termination fee	'	4,054	'	'	'	'	4,054	'	5,399	1,345	4,054
Decrease in restricted cash due to cancellation of letter of credit	'	701	601	434	972	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$26,421	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014
Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Covenant description	'Under the terms of the Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement, the cap on the amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of EBITDA for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs and similar obligations was increased to 25% of EBITDA for each of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 and to an amount equal to 20% of EBITDA declining to 10% of EBITDA for calculation periods including portions of both fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Covenant description	'Under the terms of the Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement, the cap on the amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of Consolidated EBITDA for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expense relating to earn outs and similar obligations was increased to $8.1 million for fiscal 2014, and $15.0 million for each of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016.
Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement | Prior to Six Month Anniversary of Amendment Effective Date	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Prepayment penalty percentage	3.00%
Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement | On or Prior to First Anniversary and After Six Month Anniversary of Amendment Effective Date	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Prepayment penalty percentage	2.00%
Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement | On or Prior to Second Anniversary and After First Anniversary of Amendment Effective Date	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Prepayment penalty percentage	1.00%
Fiscal 2015 | Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Percentage of EBITDA that may be added back in the calculation of covenants	25.00%
Fiscal 2015 | Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Maximum amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of Consolidated EBITDA	15
Fiscal 2016 | Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Percentage of EBITDA that may be added back in the calculation of covenants	25.00%
Fiscal 2016 | Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Maximum amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of Consolidated EBITDA	15
Portion of Fiscal 2016 Completed in Fiscal 2017 | Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Percentage of EBITDA that may be added back in the calculation of covenants	20.00%
Fiscal 2017 | Amended Asset-Based Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Percentage of EBITDA that may be added back in the calculation of covenants	10.00%
Fiscal 2014 | Amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Maximum amount that may be added back in the calculation of covenants under the definition of Consolidated EBITDA	8.1