Boston Latin School Is The Oldest School In The U.S.

New England is chock-full of history.

We all know the story of Plymouth Rock, when the pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower, yadda yadda. No, this is not a history lesson.

But there were many "firsts" in New England before there were "firsts" elsewhere in the United States because of the early colonization in the early 1600s. And that is what interests me.

One of those "firsts" was the first school that was right in Boston.

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The First School In Boston

In April of 1635, the Boston Latin School was officially named the first school in the US, according to the school's website.

They most certainly did not have a Mac computer lab. Instead, the students' education was humanitarian-based. The education concept was centered around the idea that good things are the goods of the soul.

Modern location of Boston Latin School. (Google Street View)

"From its beginning, Boston Latin School has taught its scholars dissent with responsibility and has persistently encouraged such dissent."

BLS History

It was interesting to me that the first school set the precedent for what public schools are today: funded by taxes.

According to the website, the town (or the town's leadership) voted that every schoolmaster would be allowed 50 pounds and a home. Every assistant teacher (or usher, as they were called), was allowed 30 pounds. And the money came from what would be "the state", aka taxes placed on individuals in the state. The public.

Where is the Boston Latin School?

Today, archeologists are still looking for the Boston Latin School remains. To do so, they have to dig...deep.

In the early years of the Boston Latin School, teachers were teaching at their homes. It was not until 1643 that the first school-dedicated building was created.

Today, the Boston Latin School is at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur in Boston, MA.

Ready for some jaw-dropping facts about the school?

The first African American graduate of the school was not until over 200 years later in 1877. That same year, a separate Girl's Latin School was also created.

In 1972 (yes, over 300 years later), the Boston Latin School was finally admitting women for the first time.

Thankfully the school has modernized over time. Its current mission statement is:

"Boston Latin School seeks to ground its students in a contemporary classical education as preparation for successful college studies, responsible and engaged citizenship, and a rewarding life."

⬇️ Keep scrolling to see more interesting historical sights in Massachusetts! ⬇️