Latin Grammar schools were common during colonial times as a form of secondary schooling; the sole purpose of these schools was to prepare boys for college. Boys were sent to Latin grammar school after having completed some form of basic schooling. These schools were only meant for “sons of certain social classes who were destined for leadership positions in church, state or courts” (Miller). The curriculum in Latin grammar schools consisted in teaching the students Latin and Greek, and focused mainly on religion. Although, all three areas of colonial America had some Latin grammar and higher education school, differences existed in all three regions.
In New England, Puritan values were dominant. In Boston, Latin grammar schooling was free and many other towns also established secondary schools that were sustained through tuition. In this area, these schools were generally thought by college graduates and ministers. The first institution of higher education to be established in New England was Harvard. In order to be accepted into Harvard, students were required to fully understand Latin and Greek, and the program consisted mostly of classical and theological studies. Greek and Hebrew grammar was thought to the upperclassmen and studies focused mainly on the Bible. Yale and Dartmouth were also founded during colonial times. In modern times, these schools are the first choice for university students that seek a profession in field such as, law, medicine, and science. But in colonial times, they were all Congregationalist and similar in curriculum.
In the South, secondary and higher education was viewed quite differently. Southerners actually preferred to send their boys to preparatory schools in England, so few schools were developed. However some towns did maintain academies; some of these were supported by fees and grants, some were classical schools for college preparation, and some only thought practical and commercial subjects. In the southern colonies,...