Boston Latin School

Have you heard of Sumus Primi? It’s the motto of Boston Latin School, meaning “We are first”. And first, it is. Right here, at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur stands the oldest public school in the United States. Boston Latin School opened its doors on April 23, 1635, predating even Harvard University. Imagine a time when Boston was just a fledgling settlement. The town fathers, inspired by Reverend John Cotton, decided to establish a school modeled after the Free Grammar School of Boston, England. They wanted to provide a classical education to boys of all social strata, a truly revolutionary concept at the time. The first classes were held in the modest home of Philemon Pormort, the school’s first headmaster. Can you picture a handful of boys, huddled around a fireplace, reciting Latin verses? The school’s initial curriculum focused heavily on Latin and Greek, essential for any young man hoping to attend Harvard or any other colonial college. In those days, Latin was the language of scholarship, and Boston Latin School ensured its students were fluent in this ancient tongue. Over the centuries, Boston Latin School has educated generations of influential figures. Five signers of the Declaration of Independence walked these hallowed halls: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Treat Paine, and William Hooper. Interestingly enough, Benjamin Franklin, despite his brilliance, is one of the school’s most famous dropouts. Boston Latin School has seen its share of changes throughout its long history. It moved locations several times, from the headmaster’s homes to School Street to Bedford Street, Warren Avenue and finally to its current home in the Fenway neighborhood. The school’s cadet corps, formed during the Civil War, was disbanded in the 1960s. And in 1972, after centuries of educating only boys, Boston Latin School finally opened its doors to girls. The school has a rich tradition of declamation, where students deliver memorized speeches. This practice, dating back centuries, hones public speaking skills and instills confidence. Boston Latin School continues to thrive as a selective public exam school. Its motto, Sumus Primi, serves as a constant reminder of its pioneering role in American education.