In Europe the oldest schools were founded in the middle ages or earlier. Having made that distinction, American private education seems to have developed out of sheer necessity. After all there was nothing to build on. Private schools were founded by determined, persistent, visionary pioneers who understood the intrinsic value of learning.
- 1709 - Trinity School
- 1727 - Ursuline Academy
- 1728 - Norfolk Academy
- 1742 - Moravian Academy
- 1744 - West Nottingham Academy
- 1746 - Linden Hall School
- 1748 - Wilmington Friends School
- 1759 - Germantown Academy
- 1763 - The Governor's Academy (formerly Governor Dummer School)
- 1764 - Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
- 1766 - Rutgers Preparatory Academy
- 1772 - Salem Academy
- 1774 - Newark Academy
- 1778 - Phillips Academy Andover
- 1781 - Phillips Exeter Academy
- 1784 - Friends School of Baltimore
- 1784 - Harrisburg Academy
- 1788 - Westfield Friends School
- 1789 - Georgetown Preparatory School
- 1791 - Berwick Academy
- 1792 - Fryeburg Academy
- 1792 - Washington Academy
- 1793 - Lawrence Academy
- 1794 - Cheshire Academy
- 1796 - Oakwood Friends School
- 1797 - Deerfield Academy
- 1798 - Milton Academy
- 1799 - Westtown School
- 1799 - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
I am grateful to John Yonce who pointed out several omissions on my original list. John is the Director of Porter Sargent Handbooks, a division of Alloy Education. Porter Sargent Handbooks has for many years produced The Handbook of Private Schools. Porter Sargent also publishes The Directory for Exceptional Children, Guide to Summer Camps and Summer Schools and Schools Abroad of Interest to Americans.
Private School FAQ Index
- Do Vouchers Work?
- How Many Private Religious Schools Are There?
- How Many Schools Were Founded In The 1700's?
- What Are Some Private School Traditions?
- What Are Vouchers?
- What Is A Boarding School?
- What Is A Classical Christian School?
- What Is A Country Day School?
- What Is A Harkness Table?
- What Is The No Child Left Behind Act?
- Which Is The Most Expensive Private School?
- Which Is The Oldest School?
- Which Private School Has The Most Students?
- Which School Has The Highest Percentage Of Persons Of Color?
- Which School Has The Largest Campus?
- Which School Has The Largest Endowment?
- Which School Offers The Most AP Courses?
