Grammar school is generally defined as a type of school in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries. It was originally used to classify schools that taught classical languages.
Early Grammar Schools
- Dated back to medieval times, the main purpose of grammar schools was to teach Latin. The earliest grammar schools were established in the sixth century and were attached to monasteries and cathedrals and Latin was taught to future monks and priests. Other subjects were occasionally added including music, mathematics, law, and astronomy.
- Over time, the curriculum of grammar schools implemented English, European languages, mathematics, history, natural sciences, geography, and other subjects.
- Grammar schools became the common point of entry to liberal arts education when ancient universities were established in the late 12th century. Individuals were commonly educated in grammar school until 14 years of age.
- In the late Victorian period, grammar schools were reorganized to provide secondary education in all areas of the United Kingdom except Scotland.
- Today, grammar school generally refers to one of the 164 remaining discriminatory state-funded schools located in England.
Grammar Schools in the United States
- Grammar schools that were based on the British model were established during the colonial period.
- Boston Latin School was established as the first Latin Grammar School in 1635 and in 1647 the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed the Old Deluder Satan Law that required any township contained at least 100 households to set up a grammar school. Other New England colonies established similar laws.
- U.S. grammar schools first only taught young med the classical languages to prepare them to pursue education at universities.
- By the middle of the 18th century numerous grammar schools included practical subjects. The term grammar school was used for schooling children from the age of 10 years to 14 years and later become elementary schools providing education for younger children.
- Today, some private academies in New York still refer to themselves as grammar schools.