Scholastic (Nasdaq: SCHL) reported earnings on Dec. 15. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Nov. 30 (Q2), Scholastic met expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded slightly, and earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Scholastic chalked up revenue of $685 million. The two analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $685 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.84. The two earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $2.33 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $2.60 for Q2 were 22% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.13 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 58.3%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.3%, 210 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 12.1%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods.

Looking ahead
What does the future hold?

Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $385 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.70. (There is one revenue estimate and two EPS estimates.)

For the full year ending 2012, the average estimate for revenue is $1.9 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.99. (There are three revenue estimates and three EPS estimates.)

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating at Motley Fool CAPS, with 61 members out of 91 rating the stock outperform, and 30 members rating it underperform. Among 35 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 25 give Scholastic a green thumbs-up, and 10 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Scholastic is outperform, with an average price target of $37.