-
Period: to
1635
The first public school in the American colonies, Boston Latin
School, opens. -
Period: to
1638
The first printing press in the American Colonies is set up at Harvard College -
Period: to
1647
The Massachusetts Law of 1647, also known as the Old Deluder Satan Act, is passed. It decrees that every town of at least 50 families hire a schoolmaster who would teach the town's children to read and write and that all towns of at least 100 families should have a Latin grammar school master who will prepare students to attend Harvard College. -
Period: to
1661
An evening school for working children is established in
New Amsterdam -
Period: to
1690
The first New England Primer is printed in Boston. It becomes the most widely-used schoolbook in New England. -
1690
The new England primer -
Period: to
1700
Quaker school for black students established in
Philadelphia. -
Period: to
1727
The Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is founded. A Catholic school for girls sponsored by Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula, it is "the oldest continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States." -
Period: to
1790
Pennsylvania state constitution calls for free public education for poor families. Wealthy families are expected to pay for their
children’s schooling. -
Period: to
1751
Benjamin Franklin helps to establish the first "English Academy" in Philadelphia with a curriculum that is both classical and modern, including such courses as history, geography, navigation, surveying, and modern as well as classical languages. The academy ultimately becomes the University of Pennsylvania. -
Period: to
1840
Bishop John Hughes asks for state aid for Catholic schools. -
Period: to
1805
The New York Public School Society is formed by wealthy businessmen to provide education for poor children. Schools are run on the “Lancasterian” model, in which one “master” teaches hundreds of students in a signel room. -
Period: to
1863
The NEA announces its support of music education in public schools. -
Period: to
1879
A school for Native-American children opens in Carlisle, PA with 147 students. -
Period: to
1907
Maria Montessori opens her first school. -
Period: to
1946
The United States Congress approves the National School Lunch Act of 1946, creating the modern school lunch program. -
Period: to
1966
The School Breakfast Program pilot is launched. It becomes
permanent in 1975. -
Period: to
1996
Children of U.S. baby boomers swell school enrollments to a record
51.7 million students in the fall. -
1635
First schools -
1700
Quaker schools -
1751
Benjamin Franklin -
1805
New York public school society -
1863
The NEA supports music -
1907
Maria Montessori -
1996
