<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000866729 <NAME> SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 8,950 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 168,333 <ALLOWANCES> 14,650 <INVENTORY> 290,653 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 539,715 <PP&E> 254,919 <DEPRECIATION> 78,515 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 983,243 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 285,806 <BONDS> 234,840 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 178 <OTHER-SE> 429,892 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 983,243 <SALES> 1,402,483 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,402,483 <CGS> 678,340 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,270,920 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 32,570 <LOSS-PROVISION> 20,583 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,635 <INCOME-PRETAX> 80,357 <INCOME-TAX> 28,993 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 51,364 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 51,364 <EPS-BASIC> 3.07 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.96