<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000866729
<NAME> SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> USD
<S> <C>
<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
0
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
</TABLE>