School Specialty (SCOO) 10-K 9 Jul 15 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Jun. 15, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Apr. 25, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SCOO
Entity Registrant Name	SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,055,454
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-25
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000,004
Entity Public Float			$ 88,311,720

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,920	$ 9,008
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $806 and $984, respectively	58,685	62,631
Inventories, net	96,935	93,387
Deferred catalog costs	7,424	8,057
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,868	18,043
Refundable income taxes	1,549
Asset held for sale		2,200
Total current assets	189,381	193,326
Property, plant and equipment, net	32,024	39,045
Goodwill	21,588	21,588
Intangible assets, net	41,055	48,251
Development costs and other, net	28,187	36,646
Deferred taxes long-term	2	48
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	715	715
Total assets	312,952	339,619
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	25,644	12,388
Accounts payable	41,587	42,977
Accrued compensation	7,341	8,966
Deferred revenue	2,490	2,613
Other accrued liabilities	11,724	14,460
Total current liabilities	88,786	81,404
Long-term debt less current maturities	156,549	153,987
Other liabilities	1,240	1,171
Total liabilities	$ 246,575	$ 236,562
Commitments and contingencies-Note 20
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
Capital in excess of par value	118,544	120,955
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,151)	(414)
Accumulated deficit	(51,017)	(17,485)
Total stockholders' equity	66,377	103,057
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 312,952	$ 339,619

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 806	$ 984
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,000,004	1,000,004

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013
Predecessor
Revenues	$ 58,697	$ 674,998
Cost of revenues	35,079	411,118
Gross profit	23,618	263,880
Selling, general and administrative expenses	27,473	267,491
Impairment charge		45,789
Operating income (loss)	(3,855)	(49,400)
Other expense:
Interest expense	3,235	28,600
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		10,201
Early termination of long-term indebtedness		26,247
Impairment of long-term asset		1,414
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate		$ 7,749
Change in fair value of interest rate swap
Refund of early termination fee
Reorganization items, net	(84,799)	$ 22,979
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	77,709	(146,590)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,641	(334)
Income (loss) before losses from investment in unconsolidated affiliate	76,068	(146,256)
Losses of unconsolidated affiliate		(1,436)
Net income (loss)	$ 76,068	$ (147,692)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and Diluted	18,922	18,922
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic and Diluted	$ 4.02	$ (7.81)

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013
Predecessor
Net income (loss)	$ 76,068	$ (147,692)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(101)	(1,250)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 75,967	$ (148,942)

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance (Predecessor) at Apr. 28, 2012	$ 67,946	$ 24	$ 444,428	$ (213,500)	$ (186,637)	$ 23,631
Tax deficiency on option exercises | Predecessor	(91)		(91)
Share-based compensation expense | Predecessor	1,895		1,895
Foreign currency translation adjustment | Predecessor	(1,250)					(1,250)
Net income | Predecessor	(147,692)			(147,692)
Ending balance (Predecessor) at Apr. 27, 2013	(79,192)	24	446,232	(361,192)	(186,637)	22,381
Foreign currency translation adjustment | Predecessor	(101)					(101)
Net income | Predecessor	76,068			76,068
Cancellation of Predecessor Company common stock | Predecessor	(24)	$ (24)
Elimination of Predecessor Company capital in excess of par | Predecessor	(446,232)		$ (446,232)
Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated deficit | Predecessor	285,124			$ 285,124
Elimination of Predecessor Company treasury stock | Predecessor	186,637				$ 186,637
Elimination of Predecessor Company accumulated other comprehensive loss | Predecessor	(22,280)					$ (22,280)
Ending balance (Predecessor) at Jun. 11, 2013	(97,615)
Ending balance at Jun. 11, 2013	120,956
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(414)					$ (414)
Net income	(17,485)			$ (17,485)
Ending balance at Apr. 26, 2014	103,057	$ 1	$ 120,955	(17,485)		(414)
Share-based compensation expense	581		581
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(737)					(737)
Net income	(33,532)			(33,532)
Change in Fresh Start estimate	(2,992)		(2,992)
Ending balance at Apr. 25, 2015	$ 66,377	$ 1	$ 118,544	$ (51,017)		$ (1,151)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense		18,876	19,233
Amortization of development costs		6,306	14,310
Non-cash reorganization items		1,292
Amortization of debt fees and other		2,139	1,946
Change in fair value of interest rate swap		483	(45)
Share-based compensation expense			581
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			2,713
Deferred taxes			45
Loss on disposal of property, equipment, other			774
Non-cash interest expense		1,282	2,033
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		3,843	3,437
Inventories		9,295	(3,548)
Deferred catalog costs		(887)	633
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		20,121	422
Accounts payable		5,013	846
Accrued liabilities		(24,563)	(4,465)
Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs		(6,188)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		19,527	5,383
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(12,050)	(10,732)
Change in restricted cash		26,302
Investment in product development costs		(5,866)	(6,649)
Proceeds from sale of assets		1,511	1,813
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		9,897	(15,568)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings		277,605	321,946
Repayment of bank borrowings		(291,919)	(309,796)
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)	(1,034)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(35,950)	11,116
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			(1,019)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(6,526)	(88)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		15,534	9,008
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 15,534	9,008	8,920
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid		11,109	15,705
Income taxes paid		1,346	3,461
Bankruptcy related reorganization costs paid (included in operating activities, above)		23,118	$ 957
Predecessor
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	76,068			$ (147,692)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense	2,983			33,220
Amortization of development costs	918			7,179
Non-cash reorganization items	(99,668)
Losses of unconsolidated affiliate				1,436
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				10,201
Early termination of long-term indebtedness				1,247
Fees related to DIP financing				9,855
Amortization of debt fees and other	9			$ 2,019
Change in fair value of interest rate swap
Share-based compensation expense				$ 1,895
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets				45,789
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate				7,749
Impairment of long-term asset				1,414
Deferred taxes				5,206
Non-cash interest expense				6,828
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(8,011)			3,960
Inventories	(18,255)			7,922
Deferred catalog costs	1,754			2,813
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	722			(20,221)
Accounts payable	11,012			110
Accrued liabilities	12,488			15,430
Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs				6,188
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(19,980)			2,548
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(243)			(4,734)
Proceeds from note receivable				3,000
Change in restricted cash				(26,302)
Investment in product development costs	(463)			(7,579)
Investment in product line				(1,250)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(706)			(36,865)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings	87,538			1,336,767
Repayment of bank borrowings	(79,977)			(1,260,659)
Issuance of debt	165,924
Repayment of debtor-in-possession financing	(148,619)
Early termination of long-term indebtedness				(1,247)
Fees related to DIP financing				(9,855)
Payment of debt fees and other	(9,415)			(10,404)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	15,451			54,602
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(5,235)			20,285
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	20,769	$ 15,534		484
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	15,534			20,769
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	5,578			20,162
Income taxes paid				534
Bankruptcy related reorganization costs paid (included in operating activities, above)	$ 3,802			$ 16,791

Organization and Basis of Prese

Organization and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Organization and Basis of Presentation	NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION School Specialty, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a leading distributor of supplies, furniture, technology products and curriculum solutions to the education market place, with operations, in the United States and Canada. Primarily serving the pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade (“preK-12”) market, the Company also sells through non-traditional channels, such as e-commerce in conjunction with e-tail and retail relationships. 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 April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 and for the twelve months ended April 25, 2015 and the forty six weeks ended April 26, 2014 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. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and include the accounts of School Specialty, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As discussed in Note 6—Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate, the Company’s investment in its unconsolidated affiliate is accounted for under the cost method as of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 as the Company no longer had significant influence over the consolidated affiliate.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Definition of Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in April in each year. As used in these consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements, “fiscal 2015,” “fiscal 2014” and “fiscal 2013” refer to the Company’s fiscal years ended April 25, 2015, April 26, 2014, and April 27, 2013, respectively. On April 29, 2015 the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from the last Saturday in April to the last Saturday in December. See Footnote 22—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Inventories Inventories, which consist primarily of products held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 330, “ Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, whereas maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The estimated useful lives range from twenty-five to forty years for buildings and their components and three to fifteen years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Goodwill and Non-amortizable Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of reorganization value over fair-value of identified net assets upon emergence from bankruptcy. Prior to bankruptcy, goodwill represented the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. Certain intangible assets of the Predecessor-Company including a perpetual license agreement and various trademarks and tradenames were estimated to have indefinite lives and were not subject to amortization. Under FASB ASC Topic 350, “ Intangibles—Goodwill and Other In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred which required the Company to assess whether the fair values of the reporting units were below their carrying values. The triggering event was a combination of the declines in the Company’s forecasted future years’ operating results and cash flows, and the liquidity concerns and eventual default under pre-bankruptcy credit agreements. As a result of the Company’s performance of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded impairment charges of $41,089 for goodwill and $4,700 for indefinite-lived intangible assets. See Note 7—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for details of these impairment charges. There was no impairment charge recorded in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014 related to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets As required by FASB ASC Topic 360-10-35 “ Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2,713 related to its definite-lived intangible asset for content within its Agenda product category. This content was associated with the development of digital capabilities for its agenda product offering. Development Costs Development costs represent external and internal costs incurred in the development of a master copy of a book, workbook, video or other supplemental educational materials and products. The Company capitalizes development costs and amortizes these costs into costs of revenues over the lesser of five years or the product’s life cycle in amounts proportionate to expected revenues. At April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, net development costs totaled $19,557 and $27,305, respectively, and are included as a component of development costs and other assets, net, in the consolidated balance sheets. Fair Value of Financial Instruments U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. U.S. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or input other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The following table sets forth the non-financial items measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during fiscal years 2015 and 2014. All items were categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Refer to these notes to the consolidated financial statements for descriptions valuation techniques and inputs used to develop these fair value measurements: Description Balance Sheet Location Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 Categorization Assets held for sale Assets held for sale — $ 2,200 Level 3 In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, “ Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurement The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 25, 2015: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 24,200 $ 24,200 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 142,462 142,462 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 17,684 15,565 Level 3 The Company has estimated the April 25, 2015 fair value of the amounts outstanding under its New ABL Facility approximated its carrying value at the end of fiscal 2015 given the variable interest rates and the proximate maturity date of the facility. The Company estimated the April 25, 2015 fair value of its amounts outstanding under its New Term Loan based on traded prices. The Company estimated the fair value for its Deferred Cash Payment Obligations based upon the net present value of the future cash flows using a discount rate that is consistent with our New Term Loan. The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 reflect its interest rate swap agreement at fair value. The fair values of the interest rate swap agreement as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 (valued under Level 2) were $438 and $483, respectively, and are included in “Other Liabilities” of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 26, 2014: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,600 $ 10,600 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 143,913 143,913 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 14,335 14,335 Level 3 Income Taxes In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “ Income Taxes Revenue Recognition Revenue, net of estimated returns and allowances, is recognized upon the shipment of products or upon the completion of services to customers, which corresponds to the time when risk of ownership transfers, the selling price is fixed, the customer is obligated to pay, collectability is reasonably assured and we have no significant remaining obligations. These criteria may be met upon shipment of customer receipt for products, or upon completion of services provided to customers. Cash received in advance from customers is deferred on our balance sheet as a current liability until revenue is recognized. Concentration of Credit Risks The Company grants credit to customers in the ordinary course of business. The majority of the Company’s customers are school districts and schools. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the significant number of customers and their geographic dispersion. During fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, the six weeks ended June 11, 2013, fiscal 2013, no customer represented more than 10% of revenues or accounts receivable. Vendor Rebates The Company receives reimbursements from vendors (vendor rebates) based on annual purchased volume of products from its respective vendors. The Company’s vendor rebates are earned based on pre-determined percentage rebates on the purchased volume of products within a calendar year. The majority of the rebates are not based on minimum purchases or milestones, and therefore the Company recognizes the rebates on an accrual basis and reduces cost of revenues over the estimated period the related products are sold. Deferred Catalog Costs Deferred catalog costs represent costs which have been paid to produce Company catalogs, net of vendor cooperative advertising payments, which will be used in and benefit future periods. Deferred catalog costs are amortized in amounts proportionate to expected revenues over the life of the catalog, which is one year or less. Amortization expense related to deferred catalog costs is included in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Such amortization expense for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013 was $9,751, $10,178, $1,553, and $16,057, respectively. Restructuring The Company accounts for restructuring costs associated with both the closure or disposal of distribution centers and severance related to headcount reductions in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 712, “ Compensation—Retirement Benefits Shipping and Handling Costs In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 605-45-45, “ Revenue Recognition—Principal Agent Considerations—Other Presentation, Foreign Currency Translation The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 830, “ Foreign Currency Matters Share-Based Compensation Expense The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of FASB ASC Topic 718, “ Compensation—Stock Compensation Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers 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	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
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 June 11, 2013 (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. Reorganization Plan 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 Co-Collateral • 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 $21,375 representing excess value received by the Ad Hoc DIP lenders. The $21,375 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 10 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. Financial Statement Presentation We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 852 “ Reorganizations 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

Fresh Start Accounting

Fresh Start Accounting	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
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, the Company 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, the Company 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 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 the Company 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 (formerly referred to as “Educational Resources”) segment which represents a higher percentage of consolidated revenues as compared to the Curriculum (formerly referred to as “Accelerated Learning”) 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 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 is subject to significant estimation and assumptions. In accordance with ASC No. 805, the allocation of the reorganization value is subject to additional adjustment until the Company completed its analysis. The Company finalized its analysis in fiscal 2015. 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 fresh start adjustments were updated between the Effective Date and finalization of fresh start accounting in fiscal 2015. The Successor Company updated the estimated value of unsecured claims certain holders of which elected to provide the Company with customary trade terms and thereby recover 45% of their claims, in accordance with the Reorganization Plan (Note 3). REORGANIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 11, 2013 June 11, 2013 Predecessor Reorganization Fresh Start Successor 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 the current year. 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 (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 In fiscal 2015, the Company revised its fresh-start estimate for the amount of deferred cash payment obligations (see Note 10—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 $2,992 to the Successor Company’s equity and a corresponding increase in long-term debt.

Reorganization Items, Net

Reorganization Items, Net	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
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 fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013: Successor Company Predecessor Fiscal 2015 Forty-Six Six Weeks Ended Liabilities subject to compromise $ — $ — $ 223,988 Issuance of capital in excess of par value — — (42,335 ) Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts — 458 (19,710 ) Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise $ — $ 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 (271 ) (6,878 ) (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 $ (271 ) $ (6,878 ) $ (46,878 ) Total Reorganization items, net $ (271 ) $ (6,420 ) $ 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 settlements under the Reorganization Plan classified as Deferred Cash Payments in long-term debt (see Note 10 of the Notes to 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.

Investment in Unconsolidated Af

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate	NOTE 6—INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE Investment in unconsolidated affiliate was accounted for under the equity method through the end of the third quarter in fiscal 2013. Effective with the commencement of the Company’s Chapter 11 Cases, the Company no longer maintained a seat on the unconsolidated affiliate’s board of directors. As a result, the Company no longer had significant influence over the unconsolidated affiliate and began to account for the investment in the unconsolidated affiliate under the cost method effective at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following: Percent- April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC 35 % $ 715 $ 715 On November 13, 2009, the Company completed the divestiture of the School Specialty Publishing business unit to Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC (“Carson-Dellosa”), a newly-formed business entity. Under the divestiture agreement, the Company combined its publishing unit net assets with those of Cookie Jar Education, Inc. and received a 35% interest, accounted for under the equity method, in Carson-Dellosa. For the year ended April 27, 2013, the Company recorded a pre-tax loss of $1,436, respectively, resulting from its 35% minority equity interest in Carson-Dellosa. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company evaluated its investment in Carson-Dellosa for impairment and, based on updated current forward-looking projections, concluded the Carson-Dellosa investment had an other-than-temporary impairment. As such, the Company recorded an impairment of $7,749 in fiscal 2013 in other expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The resulting fair value of $715 in fiscal 2013 was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and is considered a Level 3 fair value measurement due to the use of significant unobservable inputs related to the timing and amount of future earnings based on projections of Carson-Dellosa’s future financing structure, contractual and market-based revenues and operating costs. In performing the impairment assessment, the Company estimated the fair value of Carson-Dellosa using the Income Approach (discounted cash flow analysis). The discounted cash flow (“DCF”) valuation method requires an estimation of future cash flows of an entity and then discounting those cash flows to their present value using an appropriate discount rate. The discount rate selected should reflect the risks inherent in the projected cash flows. The key inputs and assumptions of the DCF method are the projected cash flows, the terminal value of the reporting unit and the discount rate. The growth rate used for the terminal value calculation was 0% and the discount rate was 11.3%. There were no impairment events in fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2015 that warranted further testing. The investment amount represents the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company’s ownership interest. Losses are reflected in “Losses of unconsolidated affiliate.”

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	NOTE 7—GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets, including the estimated useful lives, excluding goodwill: April 25, 2015 Gross Value Accumulated Net Book Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (13 years) $ 11,300 $ (1,666 ) $ 9,634 Publishing rights (20 years) 4,000 (383 ) 3,617 Trademarks (20 years) 22,700 (2,175 ) 20,525 Developed technology (7 years) 6,600 (1,808 ) 4,792 Content (5 years) 4,400 (4,400 ) — Perpetual license agreements (5 years) 1,200 (460 ) 740 Favorable leasehold interests (10 years) 2,160 (414 ) 1,746 Total intangible assets $ 52,360 $ (11,306 ) $ 41,055 April 26, 2014 Gross Value Accumulated Net Book 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 Intangible asset amortization expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013 was $4,483, $4,109, $1,138, and $10,054, respectively. In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded an impairment of $2,713 related to the Content intangible asset, which reduced the net book value of the intangible asset to zero as of April 25, 2015. This impairment was related to the Company’s strategy to reduce future investments in digital content and digital delivery for its Agenda product category. Estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is: 2016 $ 3,603 2017 $ 3,603 2018 $ 3,603 2019 $ 3,383 2020 $ 3,363 This estimated intangible amortization expense over the succeeding five years is based on the reorganization fair value of the Company’s intangible assets. The following information presents changes to goodwill during the two-year period ended April 25, 2015: Reporting Unit Distribution Reporting Units Curriculum Successor Company Distribution Science Reading Total Fresh Start Valuation: Goodwill $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588 Balance at April 26, 2014 $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588 Balance at April 25, 2015 $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588 In accordance with the accounting guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company performs its impairment test of goodwill at the reporting unit level and indefinite-lived intangible assets at the unit of account level annually each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its reporting units below their carrying values. The Company performs its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and will occur at the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal month of each fiscal year. The Company believes performing the test in the fourth quarter is preferable as the test is predicated on projected cash flow assumptions developed and finalized in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. A reporting unit is the level at which goodwill impairment is tested and can be an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, also known as a component. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available for segment management to regularly review the operating results of that component. As the Company has reorganized and modified its internal reporting structure, it has determined that the Distribution segment consists of one reporting unit. The Curriculum segment of the Successor Company consists of the Science and Reading reporting units. Goodwill impairment is assessed under a two-step method. In the first step, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit, generally by utilizing a combination of the income approach (weighted 90%) and the market approach (weighted 10%) derived from comparable public companies. The Company believes that each approach has its merits. However, in the instances where the Company has utilized both approaches, the Company has weighted the income approach more heavily than the market approach because the Company believes that management’s assumptions generally provide greater insight into the reporting unit’s fair value. This fair value determination was categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 820, “ Fair Value Measurement If a reporting unit’s fair value, as determined in the first step of the goodwill assessment, is less than the unit’s carrying value, the second step of the assessment methodology is completed. In step two, the Company allocates the fair value of the reporting units to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting units, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation to determine the implied fair value of the goodwill. The impairment charge, if any, is measured as the difference between the implied fair value of goodwill and its carrying value. This allocation requires management’s estimated and judgments as to the expectations of future cash flows and the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable intangible assets. Assumptions utilized in the impairment analysis are subject to significant management judgment. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could have produced significantly different results In performing the impairment assessments for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company estimated the fair value of its reporting units using the following valuation methods and assumptions: 1. Income Approach (discounted cash flow analysis) Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 Terminal Value Discount Terminal Value Discount Distribution 1.7 % 12.9 % 0 % 12.2 % Reading 1.0 % 11.2 % 1.0 % 15.3 % Science 1.7 % 10.4 % 1.0 % 12.8 % Fiscal 2013 Terminal Value Discount Education Resources 2.0 % 14.5 % Califone 2.0 % 14.5 % Science 1.5 % 11.5 % Planning and Student Development 2.0 % 11.5 % Reading 2.0 % 11.5 % Health 2.0 % 11.5 % 2. Market Approach (market multiples) Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 EBITDA Control EBITDA Control Distribution 6.2x 10.3 % 6.2x 10.3 % Reading 7.7x 11.7 % 7.7x 11.7 % Science 6.2x 11.7 % N/A N/A Fiscal 2013 EBITDA Revenue Control Education Resources 6.2x N/A 10.3 % Califone 6.2x N/A 10.3 % Reading 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 % Health 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 % Planning and Student Development 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 % In completing the fiscal 2015 assessment, the Science and Reading reporting units each had fair value in excess of carrying value of greater than 10%. The fair value of the Distribution reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by 3%. In order to conclude upon the assumptions for the discounted cash flow analysis, the Company considered multiple factors, including (a) macroeconomic conditions, (b) industry and market factors such as school funding trends and school construction forecasts, (c) overall financial performance such as planned revenue, profitability and cash flows and (d) the expected impact of revenue enhancing and cost saving initiatives. A reduction in the revenue growth rate or profitability assumptions of 100 basis points would result in a failure in the first step of the goodwill assessment for both the Distribution and Science reporting units. In addition, the discount rate assumptions can have a material impact on the fair value determinations. An increase in the discount rate of 100 basis points for the Distribution reporting unit would result in a failure in the first step of the goodwill assessment. In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company concluded a triggering event had occurred which would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting units below their carrying value. The triggering event was a combination of the declines in the Company’s forecasted future years’ operating results and cash flows, and the liquidity concerns and eventual default under pre-bankruptcy credit agreements. Due to persistent weakness in the industry and the Company’s revenue, as well as the anticipated near-term operational challenges resulting from the Chapter 11 Cases, projected cash flows and terminal value growth rates were reduced in the fiscal 2013 third quarter discounted cash flow analysis, with corresponding adjustments of discount rates to reflect risks inherent in those updated projected cash flows. As a result of the Company’s performance of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as detailed below, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $41,089 for goodwill and $4,700 for indefinite-lived intangible assets. In performing this impairment assessment, the Company estimated the fair value of its reporting units using the valuation methods and assumptions described above. Based upon the assessment performed in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Califone, Planning and Student Development and Reading reporting units failed step one of the goodwill impairment test, requiring a step two analysis with respect to those reporting units. As a result of the fiscal 2013 step two analysis, $41,089 of goodwill was considered impaired during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. As shown above in the table, the Califone reporting unit, which was part of the former Distribution segment, and the Reading and Planning and Student Development reporting units, which were part of the former Curriculum segment, were determined to have impairments of their goodwill balance as of January 26, 2013. Due to the fiscal 2013 triggering events described above, the Company also performed an impairment test of its indefinite-lived intangible assets during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company utilized an income approach, whereby the assets are valued by reference to the amount of royalty income generated if the assets were licensed to a third party. In this method, a sample of comparable guideline royalty or license agreements was analyzed. The Company recorded a $4,700 impairment charge related to non-amortizable tradenames in the former Curriculum segment. No impairments of indefinited-lived intangibles were recorded in fiscal 2014. Thus Successor Company does not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets. Due to the triggering events identified above in the discussion of Goodwill and Non-Amortizable Intangible Assets, the Company also performed an impairment test of its long-lived assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company compared the sum of the undiscounted cash flows during the remaining useful life of the primary asset for each identified asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. No impairment was recorded as a result of this analysis.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment	NOTE 8—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: Successor April 25, April 26, Projects in progress $ 5,585 $ 10,854 Buildings and leasehold improvements 3,302 3,595 Furniture, fixtures and other 36,464 30,525 Machinery and warehouse equipment 11,394 6,770 Total property, plant and equipment 56,745 51,744 Less: Accumulated depreciation (24,721 ) (12,699 ) Net property, plant and equipment $ 32,024 $ 39,045 Depreciation expense for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013 was $14,750, $14,767, $1,845, and $23,166, respectively.

Assets Held For Sale

Assets Held For Sale	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Assets Held For Sale	NOTE 9—ASSET HELD FOR SALE In fiscal 2014, a 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 was classified as held for sale on the April 26, 2014 consolidated balance sheet. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 the asset was sold for $1,598. Accordingly, the Company recorded a loss on the sale of $602. This loss recorded as “Facility exit costs and restructuring” on the consolidated statement of operations. The proceeds realized from the sale were used to reduce the New ABL balance.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt	NOTE 10—DEBT Long-Term Debt Long-term debt as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 consisted of the following: Successor April 25, April 26, New ABL Facility, maturing in 2018 $ 24,200 $ 10,600 New Term Loan, maturing in 2019 142,462 143,913 New Term Loan Original Issue Discount (2,153 ) (2,473 ) Deferred Cash Payment Obligations, maturing in 2019 17,684 14,335 Total debt 182,193 166,375 Less: Current maturities (25,644 ) (12,388 ) Total long-term debt $ 156,549 $ 153,987 Successor Company Debt ABL Facility 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”). In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company amended the Asset-Based Credit Agreement facility. The main purpose for the amendment was to provide the Company additional flexibility in its execution of certain restructuring actions by increasing the dollar amount of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) covenant add backs for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs or similar obligations. 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 b c The effective interest rate under the New ABL Facility for fiscal 2015 was 8.49%, which includes amortization of loan origination fees of $1,105 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $707. 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. Outstanding borrowings on the New ABL Facility were $24.2 million as April 25, 2015, while the excess availability on that date for the New ABL Facility was $51.6 million. 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”). In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company amended the New Term Loan Credit Agreement. The main purpose for the amendment was to provide the Company additional flexibility in its execution of certain restructuring actions by increasing the dollar amount of EBITDA covenant add backs for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs or similar obligations. 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 fiscal 2015 was 10.3%, which includes amortization of loan origination fees of $841 and original issue discount amortization of $320. As of April 25, 2015, the outstanding balance on the New Term Loan Credit Agreement was $140,309, net of the unamortized original issue discount. Of this amount, $1,444 was reflected as currently maturing, long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 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 amended New Term Loan Credit Agreement if prepaid prior to October 31, 2016. 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 commencing on the fiscal quarter ended 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 April 25, 2015 was $72,500. During fiscal 2015, the fair value of the derivative increased by $45 and a gain of that amount has been recognized for that period. During the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014 the fair value of the derivative decreased by $483 and a loss of the amount has been recognized for that period. The gain or loss is recorded in “Change in fair value of interest rate swap” on the 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 0.180% at April 25, 2015. 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 New Term Loan as of April 25, 2015 to approximate face value. 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 was completed in fiscal 2015. As of April 25, 2015, the Company’s deferred payment obligations are $17,684, of which $3,045 represents a 20% recovery for the creditors and $12,070 represents a 45% recovery for the creditors with the remaining $2,569 related to accrued paid-in-kind interest. Predecessor Company Debt As discussed in Note 3—Bankruptcy Proceedings, all of the Predecessor Company debt was cancelled as of the Effective Date.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Income Taxes	NOTE 11—INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year Current income tax expense/(benefit): Federal $ — $ — $ — $ (6,518 ) State 252 258 132 548 Foreign 365 — 1,509 430 Total 617 258 1,641 (5,540 ) Deferred income tax expense/(benefit): Federal — — — 5,205 State — — — (10 ) Foreign — — — 11 Total — — — 5,206 Total provision for/(benefit from) income taxes $ 617 $ 258 $ 1,641 $ (334 ) Deferred taxes are comprised of the following: Successor Company Predecessor April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 April 27, 2013 Current deferred tax assets (liabilities): Inventory $ 3,823 $ 5,211 $ 5,645 Allowance for doubtful accounts 303 384 347 Accrued liabilities (748 ) (1,235 ) (77 ) Convertible debt instruments and debt isssuance cost (868 ) (859 ) 4,259 Net operating loss carryforward — — 300 Early debt termination — — 9,624 Valuation allowance (2,510 ) (3,501 ) (20,098 ) Total current deferred tax assets — — — Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities): Foreign tax and AMT credit carryforward 11,075 11,075 11,586 Net operating loss carryforward 10,208 — 7,662 Property and equipment (6,534 ) (11,033 ) (8,263 ) Accrued liabilities 635 1,233 12,380 Intangible assets 19,145 23,550 20,115 Investment in noncontrolling interest 5,879 4,331 7,745 Development costs and other (1,211 ) (2,036 ) Convertible debt instruments — — — Valuation allowance (39,195 ) (27,072 ) (51,174 ) Total long-term deferred tax assets 2 48 51 Net deferred tax assets $ 2 $ 48 $ 51 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 carryforward 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. The Company previously had concluded that the realization of substantially all of its deferred tax assets did not meet the more likely than not threshold and recorded a tax valuation allowance. In fiscal 2015, the Company increased its tax valuation allowance to $41,705 from $30,573 at the end of fiscal 2014. This increase related primarily to the tax net operating loss. In fiscal 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. As of April 25, 2015, the Company had an immaterial amount of unremitted earnings from foreign investments. The Company’s effective income tax rate varied from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate as follows: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Weeks Six Weeks Fiscal Year U.S. federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 3.1 % -1.0 % 0.1 % -0.2 % Foreign income tax -1.1 % — 0.7 % 0.1 % Deemed dividend, meals and entertainment and other 0.0 % -1.4 % — -0.5 % Goodwill and intangible asset impairment — — — -6.2 % Bankruptcy-related reorganization costs — — 3.7 % -3.6 % Non-taxable fresh-start adjustments — — -8.1 % — Non-taxable debt cancellation income — — -58.1 % — Realized built in loss adjustment -8.2 % — — — Valuation allowance -30.7 % -34.1 % 28.8 % -24.4 % Effective income tax rate -1.9 % -1.5 % 2.1 % 0.2 % 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 2014. The Company has various 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. As of April 25, 2015, April 26, 2014, and April 27, 2013, the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions, net of federal tax benefits, was $503, $398, and $925, respectively, all of which would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not expect any material changes in the amount of uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months. The Company classifies accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The amounts of accrued interest and penalties included in the liability for uncertain tax positions are not material. The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s gross liability for uncertain tax positions: Balance at April 30, 2011 (Predecessor Company) $ 688 Increase related to current year tax provision 21 Expiration of statute of limitations for tax assessments (2 ) Adjustments to provision related to assessments (120 ) Balance at April 28, 2012 (Predecessor Company) $ 587 Increase related to current year tax provision 133 Adjustments to provision related to assessments 205 Balance at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor Company) $ 925 Increase related to current year tax provision 30 Adjustments to provision related to assessments (557 ) Balance at April 26, 2014 (Successor Company) $ 398 Increase related to current year tax provision 598 Adjustments to provision related to assessments (493 ) Balance at April 25, 2015 (Successor Company) $ 503

Operating Lease Commitments

Operating Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Operating Lease Commitments	NOTE 12—OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS The Company leases various types of warehouse and office facilities and equipment, under lease agreements which expire at various dates. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases for the Company’s fiscal years are as follows: 2016 $ 6,639 2017 5,134 2018 3,402 2019 2,140 2020 1,431 Thereafter 1,258 Total minimum lease payments $ 20,004 Rent expense for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013, was $7,423, $6,345, $827, and $9,164, respectively.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans	NOTE 13—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company sponsored the School Specialty, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) which allows employee contributions in accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. In January, 2015, the 401(k) Plan assets were transferred into a 401(k) plan sponsored by the Company’s professional employment organization. This new 401(k) plan operates in a similar fashion to the previous plan. The Company has the discretion to match a portion of employee contributions and virtually all full-time

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stockholders' Equity	NOTE 14—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Share Repurchase Programs The Company did not repurchase any shares of its outstanding common stock during the last three fiscal years. Restrictive covenants in the Company’ pre-bankruptcy credit facilities and bankruptcy-related debtor-in-possession credit facilities prevented the Company’s repurchase of additional common stock. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities to issue common stock were exercised or otherwise issued. The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations: (Loss)/Income Shares Per Share Fiscal 2015 (Successor Company): Basic EPS $ (33,532 ) 1,000 $ (33.53 ) Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (33,532 ) 1,000 $ (33.53 ) Forty-Six Weeks Ended April 26, 2014 (Successor Company): Basic EPS $ (17,485 ) 1,000 $ (17.49 ) Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (17,485 ) 1,000 $ (17.49 ) Six Weeks Ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company): Basic EPS $ 76,068 18,922 $ 4.02 Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ 76,068 18,922 $ 4.02 Fiscal 2013 (Predecessor Company): Basic EPS $ (147,692 ) 18,922 $ (7.81 ) Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (147,692 ) 18,922 $ (7.81 ) The Company had additional employee stock options outstanding of 73, 0, 0, and 2,570 for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 and fiscal 2013, respectively, which were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive.

Share-Based Compensation Expens

Share-Based Compensation Expense	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Share-Based Compensation Expense	NOTE 15—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE Employee Stock Plans As of April 25, 2015, the Company had one share-based employee compensation plan; the School Specialty, Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2014 and approved on September 4, 2014 by the Company’s stockholders. On April 24, 2014, School Specialty, Inc.’s CEO was awarded 33 stock options under the 2014 Plan. Other members of management were awarded 65 stock options during fiscal 2015. 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. There were 68 stock options awarded prior to the measurement date. The 33 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 the award. The 65 options that were awarded to other members of management will vest as to one-half of the options on the second anniversary date of award and as to one-fourth of the options on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the award date. Prior to the Effective Date, the Predecessor 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 Predecessor Company’s stockholders. A summary of option transactions for fiscal 2013, the six weeks ended June 11, 2013, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and fiscal 2015 were as follows: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Options Weighted- Options Weighted- Predecessor Company Balance at April 28, 2012 2,356 $ 19.18 1,009 $ 32.20 Granted 463 2.85 Canceled (269 ) 28.20 Balance at April 27, 2013 2,550 $ 15.27 1,207 $ 24.76 Canceled (2,550 ) 15.27 Balance at June 11, 2013 — $ — — $ — Successor Company Granted — — Exercised — — Canceled — — Balance at April 26, 2014 — $ — — $ — Granted 98 130.00 Exercised — — Canceled (25 ) 130.00 Balance at April 25, 2015 73 $ 130.00 8 $ 130.00 In fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 there were no time-based non-vested stock unit awards granted. In fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 there were no shares of restricted stock awarded. The following table presents the share-based compensation expense recognized for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013 and fiscal 2013: For the Fiscal Years Ended Successor Company Predecessor Company April 25, 2015 Forty-Six Six Weeks Ended June 11, 2013 April 27, 2013 Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Stock Options $ 581 $ 581 $ — $ — $ 3,624 $ — $ 1,399 $ 856 Director NSUs — — — — — — 141 86 Management RSUs — — — — — — 355 218 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 581 $ 581 $ — $ — $ 3,624 $ — $ 1,895 $ 1,160 The stock-based compensation expense is reflected in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, other than reorganization expense recognized in the six weeks ended June 11, 2013 for cancellation of equity awards. The income tax benefit recognized related to share-based compensation expense was $0, $0, $0, and $735 for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Other than recording the effect of cancelling the equity awards, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of each award along with cumulative adjustments for changes in the expected level of attainment for performance-based awards. The total unrecognized share-based compensation expense as of April 25, 2015, April 28, 2014, June 11, 2013, and April 27, 2013 were as follows: April 25, April 26, June 11, April 27, Stock Options, net of estimated forfeitures $ 3,422 $ — $ — $ 2,328 NSUs — — — 225 RSUs — — — 1,071 (1) The Company would normally expect to recognize this expense over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years. However, in conjunction with the Debtors’ Reorganization Plan which became effective on June 11, 2013 all Predecessor Company shares, options, NSUs and restricted shares that were outstanding on the Effective Date were canceled. 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 SARs are accounted for as liability awards. Since the Company’s stock trading price was less than each SARs exercise price as of the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, no expense was recorded for each SAR. The SARs 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. Total SARs that remain outstanding as of April 25, 2015 are 11 as 6 SARs have been canceled due to the death of a non-employee Board member. As discussed above, there were no options considered granted or outstanding for the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014 or the six weeks ended June 11, 2013. The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2015 and 2013, was $55.12 and $1.27, respectively. The fair value of options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2013 Average-risk free interest rate 1.95 % 0.93 % Expected volatility 48.00 % 48.31 % Expected term 6.3 years 5.5 years Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2013 Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ — $ — Cash received from stock option exercises — — Income tax deficiency from the exercise of stock options — (91 )

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Segment Information	NOTE 16—SEGMENT INFORMATION 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 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. Intercompany eliminations represent intercompany sales primarily from the Curriculum segment to the Distribution segment, and the resulting profit recognized on such intercompany sales. While a significant majority of revenue and assets are derived from the Company’s U.S. operations, the Company had Canadian revenue of $22,600, $23,941, $1,873, and $27,914 for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013, respectively, and long-term assets of $49 and $142 as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, respectively. As of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, these long-term assets are primarily Property, Plant and Equipment. The majority of the revenue is reflected in the Curriculum segment and all of the assets are in the Curriculum segment. The following table presents segment information: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year Revenues: Distribution $ 531,456 $ 493,359 $ 49,069 $ 583,705 Curriculum 90,412 78,686 9,628 91,293 Corporate and intercompany eliminations — — — — Total $ 621,868 $ 572,045 $ 58,697 $ 674,998 Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes: Distribution (1) (6) $ 6,063 $ 18,922 $ (2,643 ) $ (22,940 ) Curriculum (1) (2,977 ) (1,590 ) (1,212 ) (18,927 ) Corporate and intercompany eliminations (2) (16,176 ) (14,828 ) — (7,533 ) Operating income (loss) (13,090 ) 2,504 (3,855 ) (49,400 ) Interest expense and reorganization items, net 19,825 19,731 (81,564 ) 97,190 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes $ (32,915 ) $ (17,227 ) $ 77,709 $ (146,590 ) Successor Successor April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 Identifiable assets: Distribution $ 200,510 $ 214,723 Curriculum 94,538 103,622 Corporate assets (3) 17,904 21,274 Total $ 312,952 $ 339,619 Successor Successor Predecessor Company Forty-Six Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year April 27, 2013 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs: Distribution (5) $ 21,025 $ 15,705 $ 2,080 $ 23,184 Curriculum (5) 15,231 9,477 1,821 14,920 Corporate (4) — — — 2,295 Total $ 36,256 $ 25,182 $ 3,901 $ 40,399 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs: Distribution $ 9,921 $ 11,626 $ 256 6,141 Curriculum 7,460 6,290 450 7,422 Corporate — — — — Total $ 17,381 $ 17,916 $ 706 13,563 (1) In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $3,893 and $41,896 in its Distribution and Curriculum Segments, respectively. (2) Operating expenses in Corporate for fiscal 2015, the forty-six week period ended April 26, 2014 and for fiscal 2013 were $16,176, $14,828 and $7,533, respectively. The amount for the Successor represented restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other bankruptcy-related costs. The amount for fiscal 2013 included professional expenses related to the period immediately prior to the Chapter 11 filing and expenses relate to lease rejections and facility closure. (3) Assets in Corporate include cash, restricted cash, capitalized debt issuance costs and investment in unconsolidated affiliate. (4) In fiscal 2013, the Company’s corporate segment recognized $2,295 of accelerated depreciation related to the closing of its Mt. Joy distribution center as part of the bankruptcy related lease rejection. (5) In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded accelerated amortization of certain product development assets in the amount of $2,310 for Distribution and $1,380 for Curriculum. (6) In fiscal 2015, the Company’s Distribution Segment recorded an impairment charge related to its amortizable intangibles assets of $2,713.

Early Termination Payment

Early Termination Payment	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Early Termination Payment	NOTE 17—EARLY TERMINATION PAYMENT 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 the prior term loan lender (“Bayside”) that was provided under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. 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 a 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. The Company currently has no restrictions on its cash balance.

Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Po

Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Possession Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Possession Financial Information	NOTE 18—CONDENSED COMBINED DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION FINANCIAL INFORMATION The financial statement below represent the condensed combined statement of operations, statement of comprehensive loss, statement of shareholders’ equity(deficit) and statement of cash flows of the Predecessor Company (the “Debtors”) for fiscal 2013. Intercompany transactions among the Debtors have been eliminated in the condensed combined statement contained herein. Intercompany transactions among the Debtors and the Non-Filing Entities have not been eliminated in the Debtors’ condensed combined financial statements. DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Fiscal Revenues $ 662,043 Cost of revenues 410,069 Gross profit 251,974 Selling, general and administrative expenses 256,930 Impairment charge 36,010 Operating loss (40,966 ) Other expense: Interest expense 28,600 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 10,201 Early termination of long-term indebtedness 26,247 Impairment of long-term asset 1,414 Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 7,749 Loss before reorganization costs and provision for (benefit from) income taxes (115,177 ) Bankruptcy related reorganization costs 22,979 Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes (138,156 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (774 ) Loss before losses from investment in unconsolidated affiliate (137,382 ) Losses of unconsolidated affiliate (1,436 ) Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities $ (138,818 ) DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS For the Fiscal Net Loss Attributable to Debtor Entities $ (138,818 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — Total comprehensive loss, net of tax $ (138,818 ) DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) Common Stock Capital Treasury (Accumulated Total Shares Dollars Balance at April 28, 2012 24,300 $ 24 $ 444,476 $ (186,637 ) $ (179,693 ) $ 78,170 Issuance of common stock in conjunction with stock option exercises, net 299 — — — — — Tax deficiency on option exercises — — (91 ) — — (91 ) Share-based compensation expense — — 1,846 — — 1,846 Net loss — — — — (138,818 ) (138,818 ) Balance at April 27, 2013 24,599 $ 24 $ 446,231 $ (186,637 ) $ (318,511 ) $ (58,893 ) DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For Fiscal Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss attributable to Debtor entities $ (138,818 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense 33,029 Amortization of development costs 7,179 Losses of unconsolidated affiliate 1,436 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 10,201 Early termination of long-term indebtedness 1,247 Fees related to DIP financing 9,855 Amortization of debt fees and other 2,019 Share-based compensation expense 1,846 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 36,010 Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 7,749 Impairment of long-term asset 1,414 Deferred taxes 5,193 Non-cash convertible debt interest expense 6,828 Changes in current assets and liabilities (net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations): Accounts receivable 3,753 Inventories 8,024 Deferred catalog costs 2,813 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (19,965 ) Accounts payable 505 Accrued liabilities 12,334 Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs 6,188 Net cash used in operating activities (1,160 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment (4,702 ) Proceeds from note receivable 3,000 Change in restricted cash (26,302 ) Investment in product development costs (7,579 ) Investment in product line (1,250 ) Net cash used in investing activities (36,833 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from bank borrowings 1,029,131 Repayment of debt and capital leases (1,110,809 ) DIP proceeds from bank borrowings 307,636 DIP repayment of debt and capital leases (149,850 ) Early termination of long-term indebtedness (1,247 ) Fees related to DIP financing (9,855 ) Payment of debt fees and other (10,404 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 54,602 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 16,609 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 155 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 16,764 The Debtors’ financial information for the six week period ended June 11, 2013 is not separately presented as non-debtor activity for this period was not material.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring	NOTE 19—RESTRUCTURING In fiscal 2015 and 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 fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013. Distribution Curriculum Corporate Total Accrued Restructuring at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor) $ (21 ) $ 149 $ 588 $ 716 Amounts charged to expense 21 (15 ) (167 ) (161 ) Payments — — — — Accrued Restructuring Costs at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor) $ — $ 134 $ 421 $ 555 Reclassification 406 — (406 ) — Amounts charged to expense 123 459 3,628 4,210 Payments (529 ) (535 ) (3,508 ) (4,572 ) Accrued Restructuring at April 26, 2014 (Successor) $ — $ 58 $ 135 $ 193 Amounts charged to expense 15 — 5,462 5,477 Payments (15 ) (58 ) (4,018 ) (4,091 ) Accrued Restructuring at April 25, 2015 (Successor) $ — $ — $ 1,579 $ 1,579

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies	NOTE 20—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 adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	NOTE 21—QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) The following presents certain unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014: Fiscal 2015 Successor Company First Second Third Fourth Total Revenues $ 199,469 $ 238,670 $ 77,754 $ 105,975 $ 621,868 Gross profit 78,566 86,822 26,808 35,962 228,158 Operating income (loss) 16,491 17,000 (26,292 ) (20,289 ) (13,090 ) Net income (loss) 11,014 11,923 (30,651 ) (25,818 ) (33,532 ) Basic earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 11.01 $ 11.92 $ (30.65 ) $ (25.82 ) $ (33.53 ) Diluted earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 11.01 $ 11.92 $ (30.65 ) $ (25.82 ) $ (33.53 ) Fiscal 2014 Predecessor Successor Company 6 weeks 7 weeks Second Third Fourth Total Revenues $ 58,697 $ 143,499 $ 245,629 $ 74,664 $ 108,253 $ 572,045 Gross profit 23,618 59,758 93,205 26,448 42,789 222,200 Operating income (loss) (3,855 ) 21,296 19,243 (24,653 ) (13,382 ) 2,504 Net income (loss) 76,068 16,943 14,697 (30,135 ) (18,990 ) (17,485 ) Basic earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 4.02 $ 16.94 $ 14.70 $ (30.14 ) $ (18.99 ) $ (17.49 ) Diluted earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 4.02 $ 16.94 $ 14.70 $ (30.14 ) $ (18.99 ) $ (17.49 ) The summation of quarterly net income (loss) per share may not equate to the calculation for the full fiscal year as quarterly calculations are performed on a discrete basis. The Company’s business activity is subject to seasonal influences. Our historical revenues and profitability have been dramatically higher in the first two quarters of our fiscal year, primarily due to increased shipments to customers coinciding with the start of each school year. Quarterly results also may be materially affected by variations in our costs for the products sold, the mix of products sold and general economic conditions. Therefore, results for any quarter are not indicative of the results that we may achieve for any subsequent fiscal quarter or for a full fiscal year.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Subsequent Events	NOTE 22—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On April 29, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from the last Saturday in April to the last Saturday in December. The Company plans to report its financial results for the period of April 26, 2015 to December 26, 2015 on a transition report on Form 10-K and to thereafter file reports for the periods based on the new fiscal year. Prior to filing the transition report, the Company will file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ending July 25, 2015 and October 24, 2015.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC. SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FISCAL 2015, FORTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED APRIL 26, 2014, SIX WEEKS ENDED JUNE 11, 2013 AND FISCAL 2013 Description Date Balance at Charged to Charged to Deductions Balance at Date Allowance for doubtful accounts April 28, 2012 2,072,000 1,209,000 — (2,355,000 ) $ 926,000 April 27, 2013 April 27, 2013 926,000 14,000 300,000 (91,000 ) 1,149,000 June 11, 2013 June 11, 2013 1,149,000 154,000 (300,000 ) (19,000 ) 984,000 April 26, 2014 April 26, 2014 984,000 372,000 — (550,000 ) 806,000 April 25, 2015 Restructuring reserve April 28, 2012 1,123,000 1,561,000 — (1,968,000 ) 716,000 April 27, 2013 April 27, 2013 716,000 (161,000 ) — — 555,000 June 11, 2013 June 11, 2013 555,000 4,210,000 — (4,572,000 ) 193,000 April 26, 2014 April 26, 2014 193,000 5,164,000 — (3,778,000 ) 1,579,000 April 25, 2015 Reserve for Obsolete Inventory April 28, 2012 9,950,000 8,000 — (521,000 ) 9,437,000 April 27, 2013 April 27, 2013 9,437,000 571,000 6,600,000 (1,012,000 ) 15,596,000 June 11, 2013 June 11, 2013 15,596,000 — — (7,180,000 ) 8,416,000 April 26, 2014 April 26, 2014 8,416,000 405,000 — (3,142,000 ) 5,679,000 April 25, 2015

Summary of Significant Accoun31

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Definition of Fiscal Year	Definition of Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in April in each year. As used in these consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements, “fiscal 2015,” “fiscal 2014” and “fiscal 2013” refer to the Company’s fiscal years ended April 25, 2015, April 26, 2014, and April 27, 2013, respectively. On April 29, 2015 the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year end from the last Saturday in April to the last Saturday in December. See Footnote 22—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories, which consist primarily of products held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 330, “ Inventories
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, whereas maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The estimated useful lives range from twenty-five to forty years for buildings and their components and three to fifteen years for furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Goodwill and Non-amortizable Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Non-amortizable Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of reorganization value over fair-value of identified net assets upon emergence from bankruptcy. Prior to bankruptcy, goodwill represented the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. Certain intangible assets of the Predecessor-Company including a perpetual license agreement and various trademarks and tradenames were estimated to have indefinite lives and were not subject to amortization. Under FASB ASC Topic 350, “ Intangibles—Goodwill and Other In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred which required the Company to assess whether the fair values of the reporting units were below their carrying values. The triggering event was a combination of the declines in the Company’s forecasted future years’ operating results and cash flows, and the liquidity concerns and eventual default under pre-bankruptcy credit agreements. As a result of the Company’s performance of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded impairment charges of $41,089 for goodwill and $4,700 for indefinite-lived intangible assets. See Note 7—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for details of these impairment charges. There was no impairment charge recorded in fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014 related to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets As required by FASB ASC Topic 360-10-35 “ Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2,713 related to its definite-lived intangible asset for content within its Agenda product category. This content was associated with the development of digital capabilities for its agenda product offering.
Development Costs	Development Costs Development costs represent external and internal costs incurred in the development of a master copy of a book, workbook, video or other supplemental educational materials and products. The Company capitalizes development costs and amortizes these costs into costs of revenues over the lesser of five years or the product’s life cycle in amounts proportionate to expected revenues. At April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014, net development costs totaled $19,557 and $27,305, respectively, and are included as a component of development costs and other assets, net, in the consolidated balance sheets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. U.S. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or input other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The following table sets forth the non-financial items measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during fiscal years 2015 and 2014. All items were categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Refer to these notes to the consolidated financial statements for descriptions valuation techniques and inputs used to develop these fair value measurements: Description Balance Sheet Location Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 Categorization Assets held for sale Assets held for sale — $ 2,200 Level 3 In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, “ Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurement The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 25, 2015: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 24,200 $ 24,200 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 142,462 142,462 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 17,684 15,565 Level 3 The Company has estimated the April 25, 2015 fair value of the amounts outstanding under its New ABL Facility approximated its carrying value at the end of fiscal 2015 given the variable interest rates and the proximate maturity date of the facility. The Company estimated the April 25, 2015 fair value of its amounts outstanding under its New Term Loan based on traded prices. The Company estimated the fair value for its Deferred Cash Payment Obligations based upon the net present value of the future cash flows using a discount rate that is consistent with our New Term Loan. The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 reflect its interest rate swap agreement at fair value. The fair values of the interest rate swap agreement as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 (valued under Level 2) were $438 and $483, respectively, and are included in “Other Liabilities” of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 26, 2014: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,600 $ 10,600 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 143,913 143,913 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 14,335 14,335 Level 3
Income Taxes	Income Taxes In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “ Income Taxes
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue, net of estimated returns and allowances, is recognized upon the shipment of products or upon the completion of services to customers, which corresponds to the time when risk of ownership transfers, the selling price is fixed, the customer is obligated to pay, collectability is reasonably assured and we have no significant remaining obligations. These criteria may be met upon shipment of customer receipt for products, or upon completion of services provided to customers. Cash received in advance from customers is deferred on our balance sheet as a current liability until revenue is recognized.
Concentration of Credit Risks	Concentration of Credit Risks The Company grants credit to customers in the ordinary course of business. The majority of the Company’s customers are school districts and schools. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the significant number of customers and their geographic dispersion. During fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, the six weeks ended June 11, 2013, fiscal 2013, no customer represented more than 10% of revenues or accounts receivable.
Vendor Rebates	Vendor Rebates The Company receives reimbursements from vendors (vendor rebates) based on annual purchased volume of products from its respective vendors. The Company’s vendor rebates are earned based on pre-determined percentage rebates on the purchased volume of products within a calendar year. The majority of the rebates are not based on minimum purchases or milestones, and therefore the Company recognizes the rebates on an accrual basis and reduces cost of revenues over the estimated period the related products are sold.
Deferred Catalog Costs	Deferred Catalog Costs Deferred catalog costs represent costs which have been paid to produce Company catalogs, net of vendor cooperative advertising payments, which will be used in and benefit future periods. Deferred catalog costs are amortized in amounts proportionate to expected revenues over the life of the catalog, which is one year or less. Amortization expense related to deferred catalog costs is included in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Such amortization expense for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013, and fiscal 2013 was $9,751, $10,178, $1,553, and $16,057, respectively.
Restructuring	Restructuring The Company accounts for restructuring costs associated with both the closure or disposal of distribution centers and severance related to headcount reductions in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 712, “ Compensation—Retirement Benefits
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 605-45-45, “ Revenue Recognition—Principal Agent Considerations—Other Presentation,
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 830, “ Foreign Currency Matters
Share-Based Compensation Expense	Share-Based Compensation Expense The Company accounts for its share-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of FASB ASC Topic 718, “ Compensation—Stock Compensation Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers 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.

Summary of Significant Accoun32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Items Measured at Fair Value on Non-recurring Basis	The following table sets forth the non-financial items measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during fiscal years 2015 and 2014. All items were categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Refer to these notes to the consolidated financial statements for descriptions valuation techniques and inputs used to develop these fair value measurements: Description Balance Sheet Location Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 Categorization Assets held for sale Assets held for sale — $ 2,200 Level 3
Financial Instruments Where Carrying Value Varies From Fair Value	The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 25, 2015: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 24,200 $ 24,200 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 142,462 142,462 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 17,684 15,565 Level 3 The following table sets forth the financial instruments where carrying amounts may vary from fair value as of April 26, 2014: Description Balance Sheet Location Carrying Value Fair Value Categorization New ABL Facility Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,600 $ 10,600 Level 3 New Term Loan Long-term debt less current maturities 143,913 143,913 Level 2 Deferred Cash Payment Obligations Long-term debt less current maturities 14,335 14,335 Level 3

Fresh Start Accounting (Tables)

Fresh Start Accounting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
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 fresh start adjustments were updated between the Effective Date and finalization of fresh start accounting in fiscal 2015. The Successor Company updated the estimated value of unsecured claims certain holders of which elected to provide the Company with customary trade terms and thereby recover 45% of their claims, in accordance with the Reorganization Plan (Note 3). REORGANIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 11, 2013 June 11, 2013 Predecessor Reorganization Fresh Start Successor 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 the current year. 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 (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 (Tabl

Reorganization Items, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Schedule of Reorganization Items	The following table displays the details of reorganization items for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013: Successor Company Predecessor Fiscal 2015 Forty-Six Six Weeks Ended Liabilities subject to compromise $ — $ — $ 223,988 Issuance of capital in excess of par value — — (42,335 ) Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts — 458 (19,710 ) Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise $ — $ 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 (271 ) (6,878 ) (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 $ (271 ) $ (6,878 ) $ (46,878 ) Total Reorganization items, net $ (271 ) $ (6,420 ) $ 84,799

Investment in Unconsolidated 35

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate under Cost Method	The investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following: Percent- April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC 35 % $ 715 $ 715

Goodwill and Other Intangible36

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets, including the estimated useful lives, excluding goodwill: April 25, 2015 Gross Value Accumulated Net Book Amortizable intangible assets: Customer relationships (13 years) $ 11,300 $ (1,666 ) $ 9,634 Publishing rights (20 years) 4,000 (383 ) 3,617 Trademarks (20 years) 22,700 (2,175 ) 20,525 Developed technology (7 years) 6,600 (1,808 ) 4,792 Content (5 years) 4,400 (4,400 ) — Perpetual license agreements (5 years) 1,200 (460 ) 740 Favorable leasehold interests (10 years) 2,160 (414 ) 1,746 Total intangible assets $ 52,360 $ (11,306 ) $ 41,055 April 26, 2014 Gross Value Accumulated Net Book 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
Estimated Intangible Asset Amortization Expense	Estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is: 2016 $ 3,603 2017 $ 3,603 2018 $ 3,603 2019 $ 3,383 2020 $ 3,363
Changes to Goodwill	The following information presents changes to goodwill during the two-year period ended April 25, 2015: Reporting Unit Distribution Reporting Units Curriculum Successor Company Distribution Science Reading Total Fresh Start Valuation: Goodwill $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588 Balance at April 26, 2014 $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588 Balance at April 25, 2015 $ 14,666 $ 14,666 $ 4,580 $ 2,342 $ 6,922 $ 21,588
Growth Rates Used for Terminal Value Calculations and Discount Rates of Respective Reporting Units	. The growth rates used for the terminal value calculations and the discount rates of the respective reporting units for the Successor and Predecessor companies were as follows: Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 Terminal Value Discount Terminal Value Discount Distribution 1.7 % 12.9 % 1.0 % 12.2 % Reading 1.0 % 11.2 % 1.0 % 15.3 % Science 1.7 % 10.4 % 1.0 % 12.8 %
Multiples and Control Premiums	The resulting multiples and control premiums were as follows: Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2014 EBITDA Control EBITDA Control Distribution 6.2x 10.3 % 6.2x 10.3 % Reading 7.7x 11.7 % 7.7x 11.7 % Science 6.2x 11.7 % N/A N/A
Fiscal Year 2013
Growth Rates Used for Terminal Value Calculations and Discount Rates of Respective Reporting Units	Fiscal 2013 Terminal Value Discount Education Resources 2.0 % 14.5 % Califone 2.0 % 14.5 % Science 1.5 % 11.5 % Planning and Student Development 2.0 % 11.5 % Reading 2.0 % 11.5 % Health 2.0 % 11.5 %
Multiples and Control Premiums	Fiscal 2013 EBITDA Revenue Control Education Resources 6.2x N/A 10.3 % Califone 6.2x N/A 10.3 % Reading 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 % Health 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 % Planning and Student Development 7.7x 1.1x 11.7 %

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: Successor April 25, April 26, Projects in progress $ 5,585 $ 10,854 Buildings and leasehold improvements 3,302 3,595 Furniture, fixtures and other 36,464 30,525 Machinery and warehouse equipment 11,394 6,770 Total property, plant and equipment 56,745 51,744 Less: Accumulated depreciation (24,721 ) (12,699 ) Net property, plant and equipment $ 32,024 $ 39,045

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt as of April 25, 2015 and April 26, 2014 consisted of the following: Successor April 25, April 26, New ABL Facility, maturing in 2018 $ 24,200 $ 10,600 New Term Loan, maturing in 2019 142,462 143,913 New Term Loan Original Issue Discount (2,153 ) (2,473 ) Deferred Cash Payment Obligations, maturing in 2019 17,684 14,335 Total debt 182,193 166,375 Less: Current maturities (25,644 ) (12,388 ) Total long-term debt $ 156,549 $ 153,987

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Provision for Income Taxes	The provision for income taxes consists of: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year Current income tax expense/(benefit): Federal $ — $ — $ — $ (6,518 ) State 252 258 132 548 Foreign 365 — 1,509 430 Total 617 258 1,641 (5,540 ) Deferred income tax expense/(benefit): Federal — — — 5,205 State — — — (10 ) Foreign — — — 11 Total — — — 5,206 Total provision for/(benefit from) income taxes $ 617 $ 258 $ 1,641 $ (334 )
Deferred Taxes	Deferred taxes are comprised of the following: Successor Company Predecessor April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 April 27, 2013 Current deferred tax assets (liabilities): Inventory $ 3,823 $ 5,211 $ 5,645 Allowance for doubtful accounts 303 384 347 Accrued liabilities (748 ) (1,235 ) (77 ) Convertible debt instruments and debt isssuance cost (868 ) (859 ) 4,259 Net operating loss carryforward — — 300 Early debt termination — — 9,624 Valuation allowance (2,510 ) (3,501 ) (20,098 ) Total current deferred tax assets — — — Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities): Foreign tax and AMT credit carryforward 11,075 11,075 11,586 Net operating loss carryforward 10,208 — 7,662 Property and equipment (6,534 ) (11,033 ) (8,263 ) Accrued liabilities 635 1,233 12,380 Intangible assets 19,145 23,550 20,115 Investment in noncontrolling interest 5,879 4,331 7,745 Development costs and other (1,211 ) (2,036 ) Convertible debt instruments — — — Valuation allowance (39,195 ) (27,072 ) (51,174 ) Total long-term deferred tax assets 2 48 51 Net deferred tax assets $ 2 $ 48 $ 51
Effective Income Tax Rate	The Company’s effective income tax rate varied from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate as follows: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Weeks Six Weeks Fiscal Year U.S. federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 3.1 % -1.0 % 0.1 % -0.2 % Foreign income tax -1.1 % — 0.7 % 0.1 % Deemed dividend, meals and entertainment and other 0.0 % -1.4 % — -0.5 % Goodwill and intangible asset impairment — — — -6.2 % Bankruptcy-related reorganization costs — — 3.7 % -3.6 % Non-taxable fresh-start adjustments — — -8.1 % — Non-taxable debt cancellation income — — -58.1 % — Realized built in loss adjustment -8.2 % — — — Valuation allowance -30.7 % -34.1 % 28.8 % -24.4 % Effective income tax rate -1.9 % -1.5 % 2.1 % 0.2 %
Gross Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s gross liability for uncertain tax positions: Balance at April 30, 2011 (Predecessor Company) $ 688 Increase related to current year tax provision 21 Expiration of statute of limitations for tax assessments (2 ) Adjustments to provision related to assessments (120 ) Balance at April 28, 2012 (Predecessor Company) $ 587 Increase related to current year tax provision 133 Adjustments to provision related to assessments 205 Balance at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor Company) $ 925 Increase related to current year tax provision 30 Adjustments to provision related to assessments (557 ) Balance at April 26, 2014 (Successor Company) $ 398 Increase related to current year tax provision 598 Adjustments to provision related to assessments (493 ) Balance at April 25, 2015 (Successor Company) $ 503

Operating Lease Commitments (Ta

Operating Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases for the Company’s fiscal years are as follows: 2016 $ 6,639 2017 5,134 2018 3,402 2019 2,140 2020 1,431 Thereafter 1,258 Total minimum lease payments $ 20,004

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic and diluted EPS for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations: (Loss)/Income Shares Per Share Fiscal 2015 (Successor Company): Basic EPS $ (33,532 ) 1,000 $ (33.53 ) Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (33,532 ) 1,000 $ (33.53 ) Forty-Six Weeks Ended April 26, 2014 (Successor Company): Basic EPS $ (17,485 ) 1,000 $ (17.49 ) Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (17,485 ) 1,000 $ (17.49 ) Six Weeks Ended June 11, 2013 (Predecessor Company): Basic EPS $ 76,068 18,922 $ 4.02 Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ 76,068 18,922 $ 4.02 Fiscal 2013 (Predecessor Company): Basic EPS $ (147,692 ) 18,922 $ (7.81 ) Effect of dilutive employee stock options — — Basic and diluted EPS $ (147,692 ) 18,922 $ (7.81 )

Share-Based Compensation Expe42

Share-Based Compensation Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Summary of Option Transaction	A summary of option transactions for fiscal 2013, the six weeks ended June 11, 2013, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and fiscal 2015 were as follows: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Options Weighted- Options Weighted- Predecessor Company Balance at April 28, 2012 2,356 $ 19.18 1,009 $ 32.20 Granted 463 2.85 Canceled (269 ) 28.20 Balance at April 27, 2013 2,550 $ 15.27 1,207 $ 24.76 Canceled (2,550 ) 15.27 Balance at June 11, 2013 — $ — — $ — Successor Company Granted — — Exercised — — Canceled — — Balance at April 26, 2014 — $ — — $ — Granted 98 130.00 Exercised — — Canceled (25 ) 130.00 Balance at April 25, 2015 73 $ 130.00 8 $ 130.00
Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized	The following table presents the share-based compensation expense recognized for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, six weeks ended June 11, 2013 and fiscal 2013: For the Fiscal Years Ended Successor Company Predecessor Company April 25, 2015 Forty-Six Six Weeks Ended June 11, 2013 April 27, 2013 Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Gross Net of Tax Stock Options $ 581 $ 581 $ — $ — $ 3,624 $ — $ 1,399 $ 856 Director NSUs — — — — — — 141 86 Management RSUs — — — — — — 355 218 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 581 $ 581 $ — $ — $ 3,624 $ — $ 1,895 $ 1,160
Total Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense	The total unrecognized share-based compensation expense as of April 25, 2015, April 28, 2014, June 11, 2013, and April 27, 2013 were as follows: April 25, April 26, June 11, April 27, Stock Options, net of estimated forfeitures $ 3,422 $ — $ — $ 2,328 NSUs — — — 225 RSUs — — — 1,071 (1) The Company would normally expect to recognize this expense over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years. However, in conjunction with the Debtors’ Reorganization Plan which became effective on June 11, 2013 all Predecessor Company shares, options, NSUs and restricted shares that were outstanding on the Effective Date were canceled.
Summary of Valuation Assumption of Fair Value of Options	The fair value of options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2013 Average-risk free interest rate 1.95 % 0.93 % Expected volatility 48.00 % 48.31 % Expected term 6.3 years 5.5 years Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2013 Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ — $ — Cash received from stock option exercises — — Income tax deficiency from the exercise of stock options — (91 )

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Segment Information	The following table presents segment information: Successor Company Predecessor Company Fiscal Year Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year Revenues: Distribution $ 531,456 $ 493,359 $ 49,069 $ 583,705 Curriculum 90,412 78,686 9,628 91,293 Corporate and intercompany eliminations — — — — Total $ 621,868 $ 572,045 $ 58,697 $ 674,998 Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes: Distribution (1) (6) $ 6,063 $ 18,922 $ (2,643 ) $ (22,940 ) Curriculum (1) (2,977 ) (1,590 ) (1,212 ) (18,927 ) Corporate and intercompany eliminations (2) (16,176 ) (14,828 ) — (7,533 ) Operating income (loss) (13,090 ) 2,504 (3,855 ) (49,400 ) Interest expense and reorganization items, net 19,825 19,731 (81,564 ) 97,190 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes $ (32,915 ) $ (17,227 ) $ 77,709 $ (146,590 ) Successor Successor April 25, 2015 April 26, 2014 Identifiable assets: Distribution $ 200,510 $ 214,723 Curriculum 94,538 103,622 Corporate assets (3) 17,904 21,274 Total $ 312,952 $ 339,619 Successor Successor Predecessor Company Forty-Six Forty-Six Six Weeks Fiscal Year April 27, 2013 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs: Distribution (5) $ 21,025 $ 15,705 $ 2,080 $ 23,184 Curriculum (5) 15,231 9,477 1,821 14,920 Corporate (4) — — — 2,295 Total $ 36,256 $ 25,182 $ 3,901 $ 40,399 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment, intangible and other assets and development costs: Distribution $ 9,921 $ 11,626 $ 256 6,141 Curriculum 7,460 6,290 450 7,422 Corporate — — — — Total $ 17,381 $ 17,916 $ 706 13,563 (1) In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $3,893 and $41,896 in its Distribution and Curriculum Segments, respectively. (2) Operating expenses in Corporate for fiscal 2015, the forty-six week period ended April 26, 2014 and for fiscal 2013 were $16,176, $14,828 and $7,533, respectively. The amount for the Successor represented restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other bankruptcy-related costs. The amount for fiscal 2013 included professional expenses related to the period immediately prior to the Chapter 11 filing and expenses relate to lease rejections and facility closure. (3) Assets in Corporate include cash, restricted cash, capitalized debt issuance costs and investment in unconsolidated affiliate. (4) In fiscal 2013, the Company’s corporate segment recognized $2,295 of accelerated depreciation related to the closing of its Mt. Joy distribution center as part of the bankruptcy related lease rejection. (5) In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded accelerated amortization of certain product development assets in the amount of $2,310 for Distribution and $1,380 for Curriculum. (6) In fiscal 2015, the Company’s Distribution Segment recorded an impairment charge related to its amortizable intangibles assets of $2,713.

Condensed Combined Debtor-in-44

Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Possession Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debtors' Statement of Operations	DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Fiscal Revenues $ 662,043 Cost of revenues 410,069 Gross profit 251,974 Selling, general and administrative expenses 256,930 Impairment charge 36,010 Operating loss (40,966 ) Other expense: Interest expense 28,600 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 10,201 Early termination of long-term indebtedness 26,247 Impairment of long-term asset 1,414 Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 7,749 Loss before reorganization costs and provision for (benefit from) income taxes (115,177 ) Bankruptcy related reorganization costs 22,979 Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes (138,156 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (774 ) Loss before losses from investment in unconsolidated affiliate (137,382 ) Losses of unconsolidated affiliate (1,436 ) Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities $ (138,818 )
Debtors' Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS For the Fiscal Net Loss Attributable to Debtor Entities $ (138,818 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — Total comprehensive loss, net of tax $ (138,818 )
Debtors' Statement of Retained Earnings	DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) Common Stock Capital Treasury (Accumulated Total Shares Dollars Balance at April 28, 2012 24,300 $ 24 $ 444,476 $ (186,637 ) $ (179,693 ) $ 78,170 Issuance of common stock in conjunction with stock option exercises, net 299 — — — — — Tax deficiency on option exercises — — (91 ) — — (91 ) Share-based compensation expense — — 1,846 — — 1,846 Net loss — — — — (138,818 ) (138,818 ) Balance at April 27, 2013 24,599 $ 24 $ 446,231 $ (186,637 ) $ (318,511 ) $ (58,893 )
Debtors' Statement of Cash Flows	DEBTORS’ STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For Fiscal Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss attributable to Debtor entities $ (138,818 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense 33,029 Amortization of development costs 7,179 Losses of unconsolidated affiliate 1,436 Loss on early extinguishment of debt 10,201 Early termination of long-term indebtedness 1,247 Fees related to DIP financing 9,855 Amortization of debt fees and other 2,019 Share-based compensation expense 1,846 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 36,010 Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 7,749 Impairment of long-term asset 1,414 Deferred taxes 5,193 Non-cash convertible debt interest expense 6,828 Changes in current assets and liabilities (net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations): Accounts receivable 3,753 Inventories 8,024 Deferred catalog costs 2,813 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (19,965 ) Accounts payable 505 Accrued liabilities 12,334 Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs 6,188 Net cash used in operating activities (1,160 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment (4,702 ) Proceeds from note receivable 3,000 Change in restricted cash (26,302 ) Investment in product development costs (7,579 ) Investment in product line (1,250 ) Net cash used in investing activities (36,833 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from bank borrowings 1,029,131 Repayment of debt and capital leases (1,110,809 ) DIP proceeds from bank borrowings 307,636 DIP repayment of debt and capital leases (149,850 ) Early termination of long-term indebtedness (1,247 ) Fees related to DIP financing (9,855 ) Payment of debt fees and other (10,404 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 54,602 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 16,609 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 155 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 16,764

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Reconciliation of Accrued Restructuring Costs	The following is a reconciliation of accrued restructuring costs for fiscal 2015, the forty-six weeks ended April 26, 2014, and the six weeks ended June 11, 2013. Distribution Curriculum Corporate Total Accrued Restructuring at April 27, 2013 (Predecessor) $ (21 ) $ 149 $ 588 $ 716 Amounts charged to expense 21 (15 ) (167 ) (161 ) Payments — — — — Accrued Restructuring Costs at June 11, 2013 (Predecessor) $ — $ 134 $ 421 $ 555 Reclassification 406 — (406 ) — Amounts charged to expense 123 459 3,628 4,210 Payments (529 ) (535 ) (3,508 ) (4,572 ) Accrued Restructuring at April 26, 2014 (Successor) $ — $ 58 $ 135 $ 193 Amounts charged to expense 15 — 5,462 5,477 Payments (15 ) (58 ) (4,018 ) (4,091 ) Accrued Restructuring at April 25, 2015 (Successor) $ — $ — $ 1,579 $ 1,579

Quarterly Financial Data (Una46

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data	The following presents certain unaudited quarterly financial data for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014: Fiscal 2015 Successor Company First Second Third Fourth Total Revenues $ 199,469 $ 238,670 $ 77,754 $ 105,975 $ 621,868 Gross profit 78,566 86,822 26,808 35,962 228,158 Operating income (loss) 16,491 17,000 (26,292 ) (20,289 ) (13,090 ) Net income (loss) 11,014 11,923 (30,651 ) (25,818 ) (33,532 ) Basic earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 11.01 $ 11.92 $ (30.65 ) $ (25.82 ) $ (33.53 ) Diluted earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 11.01 $ 11.92 $ (30.65 ) $ (25.82 ) $ (33.53 ) Fiscal 2014 Predecessor Successor Company 6 weeks 7 weeks Second Third Fourth Total Revenues $ 58,697 $ 143,499 $ 245,629 $ 74,664 $ 108,253 $ 572,045 Gross profit 23,618 59,758 93,205 26,448 42,789 222,200 Operating income (loss) (3,855 ) 21,296 19,243 (24,653 ) (13,382 ) 2,504 Net income (loss) 76,068 16,943 14,697 (30,135 ) (18,990 ) (17,485 ) Basic earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 4.02 $ 16.94 $ 14.70 $ (30.14 ) $ (18.99 ) $ (17.49 ) Diluted earnings per share of common stock: Earnings/(loss) $ 4.02 $ 16.94 $ 14.70 $ (30.14 ) $ (18.99 ) $ (17.49 )

Summary of Significant Accoun47

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Jan. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Excess and obsolete inventory reserves recorded			$ 8,416,000	$ 5,679,000	$ 8,416,000
Impairment charges		$ 41,089,000		0	0
Impairment charge for indefinite - lived intangible assets		$ 4,700,000		0	0
Long-lived development cost				3,690,000
Definite-lived intangible asset, impairment charge				2,713,000
Development costs				19,557,000	27,305,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses			213,144,000	232,479,000
Severance cost	$ (161,000)		4,210,000	5,771,000		$ 1,561,000
Accrued restructuring cost			193,000	$ 1,579,000	193,000	716,000
Building | Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives				25 years
Building | Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives				40 years
Furniture, fixtures and other | Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives				3 years
Furniture, fixtures and other | Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives				15 years
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage				10.00%
Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swap | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value			483,000	$ 438,000	$ 483,000
Amortization Expense
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,553,000		10,178,000	9,751,000		16,057,000
Shipping, Handling and Transportation Costs
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 3,249,000		$ 26,231,000	$ 31,061,000		$ 31,631,000

Items Measured at Fair Value on

Items Measured at Fair Value on Non-recurring Basis (Detail) $ in Thousands	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Assets Held-for-sale
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value, non-recurring basis	$ 2,200

Financial Instruments Where Car

Financial Instruments Where Carrying Value Varies From Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Reported Value Measurement | New ABL Facility | Current maturities of long-term debt | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	$ 24,200	$ 10,600
Reported Value Measurement | New Term Loan | Long-term debt less current maturities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	142,462	143,913
Reported Value Measurement | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations | Long-term debt less current maturities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	17,684	14,335
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | New ABL Facility | Current maturities of long-term debt | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	24,200	10,600
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | New Term Loan | Long-term debt less current maturities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	142,462	143,913
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations | Long-term debt less current maturities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments	$ 15,565	$ 14,335

Bankruptcy Proceedings - Additi

Bankruptcy Proceedings - Additional Information (Detail) - Reorganization Adjustments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Jun. 11, 2013
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	2,026
Amount of claims to be settled in cash under Reorganization Plan	$ 3
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	21,375
Reorganization loss	$ 21,375
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 - Additi

Fresh Start Accounting - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of voting shares by previous shareholders in emerging entity			Less than 50%
Reorganization items		$ 6,878,000	$ 271,000
Estimated enterprise value	$ 300,000,000		300,000,000
Reorganization value			415,410,000
Reorganization value in excess of fair value of assets			$ 21,588,000
WACC used			13.30%	11.30%
Decrease in Company's opening equity	120,955,000		$ (2,992,000)
Average debt
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Estimated enterprise value			179,000,000
Average equity
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Estimated enterprise value			$ 121,000,000
Unsecured Trade Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment			45.00%
General Unsecured Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment			20.00%
Predecessor
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Pre-emergence gain resulting from discharge of liabilities	161,943,000
Reorganization items	46,878,000
Pre-emergence decrease in earnings	$ (30,266,000)
Minimum
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Estimated enterprise value			$ 275,000,000
Discounted cash flow calculation, cash flow period			2,014
Exit multiples of EBITDA			4.4
Maximum
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Estimated enterprise value			$ 325,000,000
Discounted cash flow calculation, cash flow period			2,017
Exit multiples of EBITDA			8.1
Midpoint
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Estimated enterprise value			$ 300,000,000
Exit multiples of EBITDA			5.5

Reorganized Condensed Consolida

Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($)		Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jun. 12, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 15,415,000
Restricted cash		$ 0			26,421,000
Accounts receivable		58,685,000	$ 62,631,000		66,644,000
Inventories		96,935,000	93,387,000		102,683,000
Other current assets					45,352,000
Total current assets		189,381,000	193,326,000		256,515,000
Property, plant and equipment, net		32,024,000	39,045,000		45,550,000
Goodwill		21,588,000	21,588,000		21,588,000
Intangible assets, net		41,055,000	48,251,000		52,360,000
Development costs and other		28,187,000	36,646,000		39,397,000
Total assets		312,952,000	339,619,000		415,410,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		41,587,000	42,977,000		38,226,000
Accrued compensation		7,341,000	8,966,000		6,914,000
Other accrued liabilities		11,724,000	14,460,000		70,270,000
Total current liabilities		88,786,000	81,404,000		115,410,000
Long-term debt		156,549,000	153,987,000		165,924,000
Other liabilities		1,240,000	1,171,000		13,120,000
Total liabilities		$ 246,575,000	$ 236,562,000		$ 294,454,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock		$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Capital in excess of par value		118,544,000	120,955,000
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income		(1,151,000)	(414,000)
Total stockholders' equity		66,377,000	103,057,000	$ 120,956,000	$ 120,956,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$ 312,952,000	$ 339,619,000		415,410,000
Successor
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock					1,000
Capital in excess of par value					120,955,000
Predecessor
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents					11,052,000
Restricted cash					26,421,000
Accounts receivable					66,894,000
Inventories					110,830,000
Other current assets					45,819,000
Total current assets					261,016,000
Property, plant and equipment, net					37,604,000
Intangible assets, net					109,155,000
Development costs and other					31,142,000
Total assets					438,917,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable					38,226,000
Accrued compensation					7,229,000
Other accrued liabilities					60,301,000
Total current liabilities					105,756,000
Long-term debt					205,863,000
Other liabilities					925,000
Liabilities subject to compromise					223,988,000	$ 228,302,000
Total liabilities					$ 536,532,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock					$ 24,000
Capital in excess of par value					446,232,000
Treasury Stock					(186,637,000)
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income					(357,234,000)
Total stockholders' equity					(97,615,000)	$ (79,192,000)	$ 67,946,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					438,917,000
Fresh Start Adjustments
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	[1]				(250,000)
Inventories	[1]				(8,147,000)
Other current assets	[1]				(788,000)
Total current assets					(9,185,000)
Property, plant and equipment, net	[1]				14,148,000
Goodwill	[1],[2]				21,588,000
Intangible assets, net	[1]				(56,795,000)
Total assets					(30,244,000)
Current liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities	[1]				22,000
Total current liabilities					22,000
Total liabilities					$ 22,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	[1],[3]				$ (30,266,000)
Total stockholders' equity					(30,266,000)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					(30,244,000)
Reorganization Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	[4]				4,363,000
Other current assets	[5]				321,000
Total current assets					4,684,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	[5]				(6,202,000)
Development costs and other	[6]				8,255,000
Total assets					6,737,000
Current liabilities:
Accrued compensation	[5]				(315,000)
Other accrued liabilities	[5],[7],[8]				9,947,000
Total current liabilities					9,632,000
Long-term debt	[9]				(39,939,000)
Other liabilities	[5],[7]				12,195,000
Liabilities subject to compromise	[7]				(223,988,000)
Total liabilities					$ (242,100,000)
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock	[3]				$ (24,000)
Capital in excess of par value	[3]				(446,232,000)
Treasury Stock	[3]				186,637,000
Accumulated (deficit) and other comprehensive income	[3]				387,500,000
Total stockholders' equity					248,837,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					6,737,000
Reorganization Adjustments | Successor
Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Common stock	[3]				1,000
Capital in excess of par value	[3]				$ 120,955,000
[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.
[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]	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 the current year. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:
[8]	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.
[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 Consoli53

Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Amount used to pay administrative claims and advisors		$ 7,647,000
Utilization of cash balance to fund a portion of the cash requirements from exit financing		3,284,000
New equity issued for Successor Company		(78,620,000)
Issuance of additional stock to Ad Hoc lenders in excess of debt		21,375,000
Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing		17,306,000
Reorganized debt		25,251,000
Long-term debt		165,924,000		$ 156,549,000	$ 153,987,000
Reorganization adjustments:
Issuance of Successor Company equity		(78,620,000)
Equity issuance in excess of debt carrying amount		21,375,000
Financing costs and professional fees paid with exit financing		17,306,000
Reorganized Successor Company long-term debt		165,924,000
Establishment of successor company common stock		1,000
Establishment of successor additional paid in capital		120,955,000		(2,992,000)
Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets		415,410,000
Less: Other liabilities		115,410,000
Total reorganization items, net				415,410,000
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory		(8,147,000)
Fresh start adjustment eliminated capitalize idle cost		1,426,000
Goodwill		21,588,000
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets		(56,795,000)
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets		15,522,000
Other fresh start accounting adjustments		(2,434,000)
Total fresh start accounting adjustments		(30,266,000)
Enterprise value attributed to School Specialty		300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Less: fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets		(393,822,000)
Inventory Valuation Reserve
Reorganization adjustments:
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory		6,600,000
Fresh Start Adjustments
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Write down of property, plant and equipment		6,202,000
Contract damages related to severance and lease rejections		920,000
Reorganization Adjustments
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs relate to exit financing facilities		8,255,000
Accrued Professional Fees, Current		2,057,000
Administrative and convenience claims		8,435,000
Long-term debt	[1]	(39,939,000)
Reorganization adjustments:
Liabilities subject to compromise	[2]	(223,988,000)
Total reorganization value to be allocated to assets		415,410,000
Less: Debt		(179,044,000)
Less: Other liabilities		(115,410,000)
Total reorganization items, net		120,956,000
ABL DIP Facility
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Reorganized debt		23,823,000
Predecessor
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Amount used to pay administrative claims and advisors			$ 4,314,000
Write down of property, plant and equipment			1,414,000
Issuance of additional stock to Ad Hoc lenders in excess of debt		21,375,000
Long-term debt		205,863,000
Reorganization adjustments:
Liabilities subject to compromise		223,988,000	$ 228,302,000
Accounts payable		47,683,000
2011 Debentures		163,688,000
Pre-petition accrued interest on 2011 Debentures		979,000
Sale-leaseback obligations		11,638,000
Cancellation of equity based awards		3,624,000
Fresh start accounting adjustments relating to inventory		(8,147,000)
Goodwill		21,588,000
Fair value adjustment to intangible assets		(56,795,000)
Fair value adjustment to fixed assets		15,522,000
Other fresh start accounting adjustments		(2,434,000)
Total fresh start accounting adjustments		$ (30,266,000)
[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 the current year. The table below identifies the principal categories of liabilities subject to compromise at June 11, 2013:

Schedule of Reorganization Item

Schedule of Reorganization Items (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reclassified into other balance sheet liability accounts		$ 458
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise		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		(6,878)	$ (271)
Issuance of equity in excess of debt carrying amount	(21,375)
Total other reorganization adjustments		(6,878)	(271)
Total Reorganization items, net		$ (6,420)	$ (271)
Predecessor
Reorganization [Line Items]
Liabilities subject to compromise	223,988			$ 228,302
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)
Total Reorganization items, net	$ 84,799			$ (22,979)

Reorganization Items, Net - Add

Reorganization Items, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015
Reorganization [Line Items]
Settlement of liabilities subject to compromise		$ 458
Total fresh start accounting adjustments	$ (30,266)
Other reorganization adjustments		$ 6,878	$ 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
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

Investment in Unconsolidated 56

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate under Equity Method (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 715	$ 715
Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investment, percent owned	35.00%
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	$ 715	$ 715

Investment in Unconsolidated 57

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Pre-tax loss in unconsolidated affiliate	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Discounted cash flow analysis, growth rate			0.00%
Discounted cash flow analysis, discount rate		13.30%	11.30%
Carson-Dellosa Publishing LLC
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Pre-tax loss in unconsolidated affiliate			$ (1,436)
Equity Method Investment, percent owned			35.00%
Impairment recorded in other expense in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations			$ 7,749
Fair value of investment			$ 715

Intangible Assets, Excluding Go

Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	$ 52,360,000	$ 52,360,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(11,306,000)	(4,109,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	41,055,000	48,251,000
Customer relationships
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	11,300,000	11,300,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,666,000)	(797,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	9,634,000	10,503,000
Publishing rights
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	4,000,000	4,000,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(383,000)	(183,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	3,617,000	3,817,000
Trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	22,700,000	22,700,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,175,000)	(1,040,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	20,525,000	21,660,000
Developed Technology
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	6,600,000	6,600,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,808,000)	(864,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	4,792,000	5,736,000
Content
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	4,400,000	4,400,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(4,400,000)	(807,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	0	3,593,000
Perpetual licensing agreements
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	1,200,000	1,200,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(460,000)	(220,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	740,000	980,000
Favorable leasehold interests
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Value	2,160,000	2,160,000
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(414,000)	(198,000)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net Book Value	$ 1,746,000	$ 1,962,000

Intangible Assets, Excluding 59

Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Customer relationships
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	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
Trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	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
Content
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	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
Favorable leasehold interests
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible assets, excluding goodwill	10 years	10 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible60

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013USD ($)	Jan. 26, 2013USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)Entity	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)Entity	Apr. 27, 2013USD ($)Entity
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible asset, impairment charge | $				$ 2,713,000
Intangible assets, net book value | $			$ 48,251,000	$ 41,055,000	$ 48,251,000
Weightage given to income approach				90.00%
Weightage given to market approach				10.00%
Transaction period for control premium				36 months
Reduction in the revenue growth rate				1.00%
Increase in the discount rate				1.00%
Impairment charges | $		$ 41,089,000		$ 0	0
Impairment charge for indefinite - lived intangible assets | $		$ 4,700,000		0	0
Content
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible asset, impairment charge | $				2,713,000
Intangible assets, net book value | $			3,593,000	$ 0	3,593,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets amortization expense reflected in selling, general and administrative expense | $	$ 4,109,000		$ 4,483,000		$ 1,138,000	$ 10,054,000
Reading
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach				11
Distribution Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach					10
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying value				3.00%
Science
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach				10
Planning and Student Development
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach						11
Health and Reading Reporting Units
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach						8
Education Resources
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach						10
Califone
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of companies deemed relevant in calculating fair value using market approach						9
Science And Reading Reporting Unit | Minimum
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying value				10.00%

Intangible Asset Amortization E

Intangible Asset Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2,016	$ 3,603
2,017	3,603
2,018	3,603
2,019	3,383
2,020	$ 3,363

Changes to Goodwill (Detail)

Changes to Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 21,588
Goodwill, Total	$ 21,588	21,588	$ 21,588
Distribution
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		14,666
Goodwill, Total	14,666	14,666
Distribution | Distribution Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		14,666
Goodwill, Total	14,666	14,666
Curriculum
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		6,922
Goodwill, Total	6,922	6,922
Curriculum | Science
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		4,580
Goodwill, Total	4,580	4,580
Curriculum | Reading
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		2,342
Goodwill, Total	$ 2,342	$ 2,342

Growth Rates Used for Terminal

Growth Rates Used for Terminal Value Calculations and Discount Rates of Respective Reporting Units (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Discount Rate	13.30%		11.30%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Distribution Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates	1.70%	0.00%
Discount Rate	12.90%	12.20%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Reading
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates	1.00%	1.00%	2.00%
Discount Rate	11.20%	15.30%	11.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Science
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates	1.70%	1.00%	1.50%
Discount Rate	10.40%	12.80%	11.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Education Resources
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates			2.00%
Discount Rate			14.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Califone
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates			2.00%
Discount Rate			14.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Planning and Student Development
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates			2.00%
Discount Rate			11.50%
Income Approach Valuation Technique | Health
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terminal Value Growth Rates			2.00%
Discount Rate			11.50%

Multiples and Control Premiums

Multiples and Control Premiums (Detail) - Market Approach Valuation Technique	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013
Distribution Reporting Unit
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples	6.2	6.2
Control Premium	10.30%	10.30%
Reading
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples	7.7	7.7	7.7
Revenue Multiples			1.1
Control Premium	11.70%	11.70%	11.70%
Science
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples	6.2
Control Premium	11.70%
Education Resources
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples			6.2
Control Premium			10.30%
Califone
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples			6.2
Control Premium			10.30%
Health
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples			7.7
Revenue Multiples			1.1
Control Premium			11.70%
Planning and Student Development
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
EBITDA Multiples			7.7
Revenue Multiples			1.1
Control Premium			11.70%

Property, Plant and Equipment65

Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 56,745	$ 51,744
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(24,721)	(12,699)
Net property, plant and equipment	32,024	39,045	$ 45,550
Projects in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment	5,585	10,854
Building and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment	3,302	3,595
Furniture, fixtures and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment	36,464	30,525
Machinery and warehouse equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 11,394	$ 6,770

Property, Plant and Equipment -

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 1,845	$ 14,767	$ 14,750	$ 23,166

Assets Held for Sale - Addition

Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)
Businesses Held For Sale Divestitures And Impairments [Line Items]
Written down value of Assets	$ 1,598
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Businesses Held For Sale Divestitures And Impairments [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of asset	$ (602)

Long-Term Debt (Detail)

Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 182,193	$ 166,375
Less: Current maturities	(25,644)	(12,388)
Total long-term debt	156,549	153,987	$ 165,924
New ABL Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	24,200	10,600
New Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	142,462	143,913
New Term Loan Original Issue Discount	(2,153)	(2,473)
Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 17,684	$ 14,335

Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical)

Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
New ABL Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2,018
New Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2,019
Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2,019

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Currently maturing long term debt		$ 12,388,000	$ 25,644,000
Change in fair value of interest rate swap		(483,000)	45,000
Total debt		166,375,000	$ 182,193,000
Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity month and year			2019-12
Total debt		14,335,000	$ 17,684,000
Accrued interest expense			$ 2,569,000
Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative interest rate			1.485%
Interest Rate Swap | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate on notional amount			0.18%
New Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate			10.30%
Amortization of loan origination fees			$ 841,000
Debt instrument maturity date			Jun. 11, 2019
Term Loan, aggregate principal amount	$ 145,000,000
Original issue discount	$ 2,900,000
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			$ 320,000
Term loan outstanding			140,309,000
Currently maturing long term debt			$ 1,444,000
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%
New Term Loan | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin	7.50%
New Term Loan | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin	8.50%
New Term Loan | Floor Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debentures interest rate stated percentage	1.00%
New Term Loan | Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Inception date			Aug. 27, 2013
Termination date			Sep. 11, 2016
Derivative interest rate			9.985%
Notional amount of swaps			$ 72,500,000
New Term Loan | Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase in fair value			45,000
Decrease in fair value		483,000
Change in fair value of interest rate swap		$ (483,000)	$ 45,000
New ABL Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
ABL Facility, interest rate covenants			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.
Effective interest rate			8.49%
Amortization of loan origination fees			$ 1,105,000
Commitment fees on unborrowed funds			$ 707,000
Debt instrument maturity date			Jun. 11, 2018
Credit agreement, outstanding borrowings			$ 24,200,000
Credit agreement, available borrowing capacity			$ 51,600,000
New ABL Facility | Asset Based Credit Agreement, maturing in 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement, borrowing capacity	$ 175,000,000
New ABL Facility | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin	0.50%
New ABL Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin	1.00%
General Unsecured Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment			20.00%
Paid-in-kind interest rate			5.00%
Total debt			$ 3,045,000
Unsecured Trade Creditors | Deferred Cash Payment Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reorganization Plan percentage of deferred cash payment			45.00%
Paid-in-kind interest rate			10.00%
Total debt			$ 12,070,000

Provision for Income Taxes (Det

Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Current income tax expense/(benefit):
State		$ 258	$ 252
Foreign			365
Total		258	617
Deferred income tax expense/(benefit):
Total			45
Total provision for/(benefit from) income taxes		$ 258	$ 617
Predecessor
Current income tax expense/(benefit):
Federal				$ (6,518)
State	$ 132			548
Foreign	1,509			430
Total	1,641			(5,540)
Deferred income tax expense/(benefit):
Federal				5,205
State				(10)
Foreign				11
Total				5,206
Total provision for/(benefit from) income taxes	$ 1,641			$ (334)

Deferred Taxes (Detail)

Deferred Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013
Current deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Inventory	$ 3,823	$ 5,211
Allowance for doubtful accounts	303	384
Accrued liabilities	(748)	(1,235)
Convertible debt instruments and debt issuance cost	(868)	(859)
Valuation allowance	(2,510)	(3,501)
Total current deferred tax assets	0	0
Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Foreign tax and AMT credit carryforward	11,075	11,075
Net operating loss carryforward	10,208
Property and equipment	(6,534)	(11,033)
Accrued liabilities	635	1,233
Intangible assets	19,145	23,550
Investment in noncontrolling interest	5,879	4,331
Development costs and other	(1,211)	(2,036)
Convertible debt instruments	0	0
Valuation allowance	(39,195)	(27,072)
Total long-term deferred tax assets	2	48
Net deferred tax assets	$ 2	$ 48
Predecessor
Current deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Inventory			$ 5,645
Allowance for doubtful accounts			347
Accrued liabilities			(77)
Convertible debt instruments and debt issuance cost			4,259
Net operating loss carryforward			300
Early debt termination			9,624
Valuation allowance			(20,098)
Total current deferred tax assets			0
Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Foreign tax and AMT credit carryforward			11,586
Net operating loss carryforward			7,662
Property and equipment			(8,263)
Accrued liabilities			12,380
Intangible assets			20,115
Investment in noncontrolling interest			7,745
Convertible debt instruments			0
Valuation allowance			(51,174)
Total long-term deferred tax assets			51
Net deferred tax assets			$ 51

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax valuation allowance		$ 41,705	$ 30,573
Unrecognized income tax benefits, net of federal tax benefits		$ 503	$ 398	$ 925	$ 587	$ 688
Predecessor
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Cancellation of indebtedness income excluded from taxable income	$ 129,084

Effective Income Tax Rate (Deta

Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Schedule of Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
U.S. federal statutory rate		35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		(1.00%)	3.10%
Foreign income tax			(1.10%)
Deemed dividend, meals and entertainment and other		(1.40%)	0.00%
Realized built in loss adjustment			(8.20%)
Valuation allowance		(34.10%)	(30.70%)
Effective income tax rate		(1.50%)	(1.90%)
Predecessor
Schedule of Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%			35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	0.10%			(0.20%)
Foreign income tax	0.70%			0.10%
Deemed dividend, meals and entertainment and other				(0.50%)
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment				(6.20%)
Bankruptcy-related reorganization costs	3.70%			(3.60%)
Non-taxable fresh-start adjustments	(8.10%)
Non-taxable debt cancellation income	(58.10%)
Valuation allowance	28.80%			(24.40%)
Effective income tax rate	2.10%			0.20%

Gross Liability for Uncertain T

Gross Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 398	$ 925	$ 587	$ 688
Increase related to current year tax provision	598	30	133	21
Expiration of statute of limitations for tax assessments				(2)
Adjustments to provision related to assessments	(493)	(557)	205	(120)
Balance at end of period	$ 503	$ 398	$ 925	$ 587

Future Minimum Lease Payments U

Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2,016	$ 6,639
2,017	5,134
2,018	3,402
2,019	2,140
2,020	1,431
Thereafter	1,258
Total minimum lease payments	$ 20,004

Operating Lease Commitments - A

Operating Lease Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rent expense	$ 827	$ 6,345	$ 7,423	$ 9,164

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Minimum
Employee Benefit Plan [Line Items]
Number of days employees eligible to participate in employee stock purchase plan

Computations of Basic and Dilut

Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Components Of Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share [Line Items]
(Loss)/Income (Numerator), Basic EPS										$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
(Loss)/Income (Numerator), Basic and diluted EPS		$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Shares (Denominator), Basic EPS										1,000	1,000
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options, Shares (Denominator)										0	0
Shares (Denominator), Basic and diluted EPS										1,000	1,000
Per Share Amount, Basic EPS										$ (17.49)	$ (33.53)
Per Share Amount, Basic and diluted EPS										$ (17.49)	$ (33.53)
Predecessor
Components Of Basic And Diluted Earning Per Share [Line Items]
(Loss)/Income (Numerator), Basic EPS	$ 76,068											$ (147,692)
(Loss)/Income (Numerator), Basic and diluted EPS	$ 76,068											$ (147,692)
Shares (Denominator), Basic EPS	18,922											18,922
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock options, Shares (Denominator)	0											0
Shares (Denominator), Basic and diluted EPS	18,922											18,922
Per Share Amount, Basic EPS	$ 4.02											$ (7.81)
Per Share Amount, Basic and diluted EPS	$ 4.02											$ (7.81)

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Employee stock options outstanding	0	0	73	2,570

Share-Based Compensation Expe81

Share-Based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 04, 2014USD ($)shares	May. 28, 2014USD ($)shares	Apr. 24, 2014shares	Jun. 11, 2013USD ($)shares	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)shares	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)shares	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)OptionPlan$ / sharesshares	Apr. 26, 2014shares	Apr. 27, 2013USD ($)CompensationPlan$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of share based employee compensation plans							1		3
Share-based compensation expense | $	$ 0						$ 581,000
Share-based compensation, vesting rights							The 33 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 the award. The 65 options that were awarded to other members of management will vest as to one-half of the options on the second anniversary date of award and as to one-fourth of the options on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the award date.
Income tax benefit recognized related to share based compensation expense | $				$ 0		$ 0	$ 0		$ 735,000
2014 Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options granted	68		33				65
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding	0
Nonvested Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time-based awards granted							0	0	0
Awards granted							0	0	0
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense | $					$ 0
Awards granted		6
Awards granted, fair value | $		$ 130,000
Awards outstanding					11		11
Award canceled							6
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options granted				0		0
Number of options outstanding				0		0		0
Share-based compensation expense | $							$ 581,000
Weighted average grant date fair value of option | $ / shares							$ 55.12		$ 1.27

Summary of Option Transactions

Summary of Option Transactions (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013
Predecessor
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Options, Beginning Balance	2,550			2,550	2,356
Options Outstanding, Options, Granted					463
Options Outstanding, Options, Canceled	(2,550)				(269)
Options Outstanding, Options, Ending Balance					2,550
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 15.27			$ 15.27	$ 19.18
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted					2.85
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Canceled	$ 15.27				28.20
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance					$ 15.27
Options Exercisable, Options, Beginning Balance	1,207			1,207	1,009
Options Exercisable, Options, Ending Balance					1,207
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 24.76			$ 24.76	$ 32.20
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance					$ 24.76
Successor
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Options, Granted			98
Options Outstanding, Options, Exercised		0	0
Options Outstanding, Options, Canceled			(25)
Options Outstanding, Options, Ending Balance			73
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted			$ 130
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised			0	$ 0
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Canceled			130
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance			$ 130
Options Exercisable, Options, Ending Balance			8
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance			$ 130

Share-Based Compensation Expe83

Share-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 04, 2014	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense	$ 0		$ 581,000
Net of Tax			581,000
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense			581,000
Net of Tax			$ 581,000
Predecessor
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense		$ 3,624,000		$ 1,895,000
Net of Tax				1,160,000
Predecessor | Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense		$ 3,624,000		1,399,000
Net of Tax				856,000
Predecessor | Director NSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense				141,000
Net of Tax				86,000
Predecessor | Management RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total Gross stock-based compensation expense				355,000
Net of Tax				$ 218,000

Total Unrecognized Share-Based

Total Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense		$ 3,422	$ 2,328	[1]
NSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	[1]		225
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	[1]		$ 1,071
[1]	The Company would normally expect to recognize this expense over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years. However, in conjunction with the Debtors' Reorganization Plan which became effective on June 11, 2013 all Predecessor Company shares, options, NSUs and restricted shares that were outstanding on the Effective Date were canceled.

Total Unrecognized Share-Base85

Total Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period of share-based compensation expense	2 years 1 month 6 days

Summary of Valuation Assumption

Summary of Valuation Assumption of Fair Value of Options (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average-risk free interest rate	1.95%	0.93%
Expected volatility	48.00%	48.31%
Expected term	6 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 6 months
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 0	$ 0
Cash received from stock option exercises	$ 0	0
Income tax deficiency from the exercise of stock options		$ (91)

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2013USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 24, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 26, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)	Jan. 25, 2014USD ($)	Oct. 26, 2013USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2015USD ($)Segment	Apr. 27, 2013USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | Segment											2
Total Revenue		$ 143,499	$ 105,975	$ 77,754	$ 238,670	$ 199,469	$ 108,253	$ 74,664	$ 245,629	$ 572,045	$ 621,868
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 1,873									23,941	22,600	$ 27,914
Long term assets			$ 49				$ 142			$ 142	$ 49

Segment Information (Detail)

Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Revenues:
Total Revenue			$ 143,499	$ 105,975	$ 77,754	$ 238,670	$ 199,469	$ 108,253	$ 74,664	$ 245,629	$ 572,045	$ 621,868
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)			$ 21,296	(20,289)	$ (26,292)	$ 17,000	$ 16,491	(13,382)	$ (24,653)	$ 19,243	2,504	(13,090)
Interest expense and reorganization items, net											19,731	19,825
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes											(17,227)	(32,915)
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets		$ 415,410		312,952				339,619			339,619	312,952
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs											25,182	36,256
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											17,916	17,381
Operating Segments | Distribution
Revenues:
Total Revenue											493,359	531,456
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[1],[2]										18,922	6,063
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets				200,510				214,723			214,723	200,510
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs	[3]										15,705	21,025
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											11,626	9,921
Operating Segments | Curriculum
Revenues:
Total Revenue											78,686	90,412
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[2]										(1,590)	(2,977)
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets				94,538				103,622			103,622	94,538
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs	[3]										9,477	15,231
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											6,290	7,460
Corporate and intercompany eliminations
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[4]										(14,828)	(16,176)
Non operating
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	[5]			$ 17,904				$ 21,274			$ 21,274	$ 17,904
Predecessor
Revenues:
Total Revenue		58,697											$ 674,998
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)		(3,855)											(49,400)
Interest expense and reorganization items, net		(81,564)											97,190
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes		77,709											(146,590)
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets		438,917
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs		3,901											40,399
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		706											13,563
Predecessor | Operating Segments | Distribution
Revenues:
Total Revenue		49,069											583,705
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[1],[2]	(2,643)											(22,940)
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs	[3]	2,080											23,184
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		256											6,141
Predecessor | Operating Segments | Curriculum
Revenues:
Total Revenue		9,628											91,293
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[2]	(1,212)											(18,927)
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs	[3]	1,821											14,920
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		$ 450											7,422
Predecessor | Corporate and intercompany eliminations
Operating (loss) income and loss before taxes:
Operating income (loss)	[4]												(7,533)
Predecessor | Non operating
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs:
Total Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and development costs	[6]												$ 2,295
[1]	In fiscal 2015, the Company's Distribution Segment recorded an impairment charge related to its definite-lived intangibles assets of $2,713.
[2]	In the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $3,893 and $41,896 in its Distribution and Curriculum Segments, respectively.
[3]	In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded accelerated amortization of certain product development assets in the amount of $2,310 for Distribution and $1,380 for Curriculum.
[4]	Operating expenses in Corporate for fiscal 2015, the forty-six week period ended April 26, 2014 and for fiscal 2013 were $3,325, $14,828 and $7,533, respectively. The amount for the Successor represented restructuring and facility exit costs, costs incurred to implement process improvement actions and other bankruptcy-related costs. The amount for fiscal 2013 included professional expenses related to the period immediately prior to the Chapter 11 filing and expenses relate to lease rejections and facility closure.
[5]	Assets in Corporate include cash, restricted cash, capitalized debt issuance costs and investment in unconsolidated affiliate.
[6]	In fiscal 2013, the Company's corporate segment recognized $2,295 of accelerated depreciation related to the closing of its Mt. Joy distribution center as part of the bankruptcy related lease rejection.

Segment Information (Parentheti

Segment Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible			$ 2,713
Amortizable intangible asset, impairment charge			2,713
Non operating
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses		$ 14,828	16,176
Amount of accelerated depreciation				$ 2,295
Predecessor
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible				45,789
Predecessor | Non operating
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses				$ 7,533
Distribution
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible	$ 3,893
Amortization of product development assets			2,310
Amortizable intangible asset, impairment charge			2,713
Curriculum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment charge related to its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible	$ 41,896
Amortization of product development assets			$ 1,380

Early Termination Payment - Add

Early Termination Payment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended					7 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Oct. 26, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013	Apr. 27, 2013	Jan. 26, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Jan. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash placed into restricted account	$ 119,000			$ 25,000,000		$ 2,708,000
Refund of termination fee								$ 4,054,000
Decrease in restricted cash due to cancellation of letter of credit		$ 701,000	$ 601,000	$ 434,000	$ 972,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 26,421,000								$ 0
Term Loan
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash placed into restricted account							$ 1,280,000
Early termination fee							21,000,000
Refund of termination fee							5,399,000
Term Loan | Interest Expense
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Refund of termination fee							1,345,000
Term Loan | Early Termination Fees
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Refund of termination fee							$ 4,054,000

Debtors' Statement of Operation

Debtors' Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 143,499	$ 105,975	$ 77,754	$ 238,670	$ 199,469	$ 108,253	$ 74,664	$ 245,629	$ 572,045	$ 621,868
Cost of revenues									349,845	393,710
Gross profit	59,758	35,962	26,808	86,822	78,566	42,789	26,448	93,205	222,200	228,158
Selling, general and administrative expenses									213,144	232,479
Impairment charge										2,713
Operating income (loss)	21,296	(20,289)	(26,292)	17,000	16,491	(13,382)	(24,653)	19,243	2,504	(13,090)
Other expense:
Interest expense									16,882	19,599
Bankruptcy related reorganization costs									6,552	6,056
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes									(17,227)	(32,915)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									258	617
Loss before losses from investment in unconsolidated affiliate									(17,485)	(33,532)
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities	$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Debtor In Possession Financing
Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues											$ 662,043
Cost of revenues											410,069
Gross profit											251,974
Selling, general and administrative expenses											256,930
Impairment charge											36,010
Operating income (loss)											(40,966)
Other expense:
Interest expense											28,600
Loss on early extinguishment of debt											10,201
Early termination of long-term indebtedness											26,247
Impairment of long-term asset											1,414
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate											7,749
Loss before reorganization costs and provision for (benefit from) income taxes											(115,177)
Bankruptcy related reorganization costs											22,979
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes											(138,156)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes											(774)
Loss before losses from investment in unconsolidated affiliate											(137,382)
Losses of unconsolidated affiliate											(1,436)
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities											$ (138,818)

Debtors' Statement of Comprehen

Debtors' Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities	$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(414)	(737)
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax									$ (17,899)	$ (34,269)
Debtor In Possession Financing
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities											$ (138,818)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments											0
Total comprehensive loss, net of tax											$ (138,818)

Debtors' Statement of Sharehold

Debtors' Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance						$ 103,057				$ 120,956	$ 103,057
Share-based compensation expense											581
Net loss		$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	(17,485)	(33,532)
Ending balance	$ 120,956		66,377				103,057			103,057	66,377
Common Stock
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance						1					1
Ending balance			1				1			1	1
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance						120,955					120,955
Share-based compensation expense											581
Ending balance			118,544				120,955			120,955	118,544
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance						$ (17,485)					(17,485)
Net loss										(17,485)	(33,532)
Ending balance			$ (51,017)				$ (17,485)			$ (17,485)	$ (51,017)
Debtor In Possession Financing
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(58,893)											$ 78,170
Tax deficiency on option exercises												(91)
Share-based compensation expense												1,846
Net loss												(138,818)
Ending balance												(58,893)
Debtor In Possession Financing | Common Stock
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 24											$ 24
Beginning balance (in shares)	24,599											24,300
Issuance of common stock in conjunction with stock option exercises, net												299
Ending balance												$ 24
Ending balance (in shares)												24,599
Debtor In Possession Financing | Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 446,231											$ 444,476
Tax deficiency on option exercises												(91)
Share-based compensation expense												1,846
Ending balance												446,231
Debtor In Possession Financing | Treasury Stock
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(186,637)											(186,637)
Ending balance												(186,637)
Debtor In Possession Financing | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ (318,511)											(179,693)
Net loss												(138,818)
Ending balance												$ (318,511)

Debtors' Statement of Cash Flow

Debtors' Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities		$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense										18,876	19,233
Amortization of development costs										6,306	14,310
Amortization of debt fees and other										2,139	1,946
Share-based compensation expense											581
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets											2,713
Deferred taxes											45
Non-cash convertible debt interest expense										1,282	2,033
Changes in current assets and liabilities (net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations):
Accounts receivable										3,843	3,437
Inventories										9,295	(3,548)
Deferred catalog costs										(887)	633
Prepaid expenses and other current assets										20,121	422
Accounts payable										5,013	846
Accrued liabilities										(24,563)	(4,465)
Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs										(6,188)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities										19,527	5,383
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment										(12,050)	(10,732)
Change in restricted cash										26,302
Investment in product development costs										(5,866)	(6,649)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities										9,897	(15,568)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings										277,605	321,946
Payment of debt fees and other										(26,399)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities										(35,950)	11,116
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents										(6,526)	(88)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period						$ 9,008				15,534	9,008
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 15,534		$ 8,920				$ 9,008			$ 9,008	$ 8,920
Debtor In Possession Financing
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss attributable to Debtor Entities												$ (138,818)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and intangible asset amortization expense												33,029
Amortization of development costs												7,179
Losses of unconsolidated affiliate												1,436
Loss on early extinguishment of debt												10,201
Early termination of long-term indebtedness												1,247
Fees related to DIP financing												9,855
Amortization of debt fees and other												2,019
Share-based compensation expense												1,846
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets												36,010
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate												7,749
Impairment of long-term asset												1,414
Deferred taxes												5,193
Non-cash convertible debt interest expense												6,828
Changes in current assets and liabilities (net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations):
Accounts receivable												3,753
Inventories												8,024
Deferred catalog costs												2,813
Prepaid expenses and other current assets												(19,965)
Accounts payable												505
Accrued liabilities												12,334
Accrued bankruptcy related reorganization costs												6,188
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities												(1,160)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment												(4,702)
Proceeds from note receivable												3,000
Change in restricted cash												(26,302)
Investment in product development costs												(7,579)
Investment in product line												(1,250)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities												(36,833)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings												1,029,131
Repayment of debt and capital leases												(1,110,809)
DIP proceeds from bank borrowings												307,636
DIP repayment of debt and capital leases												(149,850)
Early termination of long-term indebtedness												(1,247)
Fees related to DIP financing												(9,855)
Payment of debt fees and other												(10,404)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities												54,602
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents												16,609
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	$ 16,764											155
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period												$ 16,764

Reconciliation of Accrued Restr

Reconciliation of Accrued Restructuring Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance	$ 716		$ 193
Amounts charged to expense		$ 4,210	5,477
Payments		(4,572)	(4,091)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance		193	1,579
Operating Segments | Distribution
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reclassification		406
Amounts charged to expense		123	15
Payments		(529)	(15)
Operating Segments | Curriculum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance			58
Amounts charged to expense		459
Payments		(535)	(58)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance		58
Non operating
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance			135
Reclassification		(406)
Amounts charged to expense		3,628	5,462
Payments		(3,508)	(4,018)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance		135	$ 1,579
Predecessor
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance	716	555
Amounts charged to expense	(161)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance	555
Predecessor | Operating Segments | Distribution
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance	(21)
Amounts charged to expense	21
Predecessor | Operating Segments | Curriculum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance	149	134
Amounts charged to expense	(15)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance	134
Predecessor | Non operating
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued Restructuring costs, beginning balance	588	$ 421
Amounts charged to expense	(167)
Accrued Restructuring costs, ending balance	$ 421

Quarterly Financial Data (Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended							11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 24, 2015	Oct. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2014	Apr. 26, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 143,499	$ 105,975	$ 77,754	$ 238,670	$ 199,469	$ 108,253	$ 74,664	$ 245,629	$ 572,045	$ 621,868
Gross profit		59,758	35,962	26,808	86,822	78,566	42,789	26,448	93,205	222,200	228,158
Operating income (loss)		21,296	(20,289)	(26,292)	17,000	16,491	(13,382)	(24,653)	19,243	2,504	(13,090)
Net income (loss)		$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Earnings/(loss)		$ 16.94	$ (25.82)	$ (30.65)	$ 11.92	$ 11.01	$ (18.99)	$ (30.14)	$ 14.70	$ (17.49)	$ (33.53)
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Revenues		$ 143,499	$ 105,975	$ 77,754	$ 238,670	$ 199,469	$ 108,253	$ 74,664	$ 245,629	$ 572,045	$ 621,868
Gross profit		59,758	35,962	26,808	86,822	78,566	42,789	26,448	93,205	222,200	228,158
Operating income (loss)		21,296	(20,289)	(26,292)	17,000	16,491	(13,382)	(24,653)	19,243	2,504	(13,090)
Net income (loss)		$ 16,943	$ (25,818)	$ (30,651)	$ 11,923	$ 11,014	$ (18,990)	$ (30,135)	$ 14,697	$ (17,485)	$ (33,532)
Earnings/(loss)		$ 16.94	$ (25.82)	$ (30.65)	$ 11.92	$ 11.01	$ (18.99)	$ (30.14)	$ 14.70	$ (17.49)	$ (33.53)
Predecessor
Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 58,697											$ 674,998
Gross profit	23,618											263,880
Operating income (loss)	(3,855)											(49,400)
Net income (loss)	$ 76,068											(147,692)
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Earnings/(loss)	$ 4.02
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Revenues	$ 58,697											674,998
Gross profit	23,618											263,880
Operating income (loss)	(3,855)											(49,400)
Net income (loss)	$ 76,068											$ (147,692)
Earnings/(loss)	$ 4.02

Schedule II - Valuation and Q97

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 11, 2013	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 27, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 926,000	$ 1,149,000	$ 984,000	$ 2,072,000
Charged to Costs and Expenses	14,000	154,000	372,000	1,209,000
Charged to Other Accounts	300,000	(300,000)
Deductions	(91,000)	(19,000)	(550,000)	(2,355,000)
Balance at End of Period	1,149,000	984,000	806,000	926,000
Restructuring reserve
Balance at Beginning of Period	716,000	555,000	193,000	1,123,000
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(161,000)	4,210,000	5,164,000	1,561,000
Deductions		(4,572,000)	(3,778,000)	(1,968,000)
Balance at End of Period	555,000	193,000	1,579,000	716,000
Reserve for Obsolete Inventory
Balance at Beginning of Period	9,437,000	15,596,000	8,416,000	9,950,000
Charged to Costs and Expenses	571,000		405,000	8,000
Charged to Other Accounts	6,600,000
Deductions	(1,012,000)	(7,180,000)	(3,142,000)	(521,000)
Balance at End of Period	$ 15,596,000	$ 8,416,000	$ 5,679,000	$ 9,437,000

Uncategorized Items - scoo-2015

Label	Element	Value
Successor Company Capital in Excess of Par [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	$ 120,955
Successor Company Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	1
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	120,955
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Successor Company Capital in Excess of Par [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	120,955
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	1
Common Stock [Member] | Successor Company Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	$ 1