First Public School Site

Mosaic set in the sidewalk marking the first location of Boston's Latin School

Arlan Fonseca

Quick Facts

Location:

School Street, Boston

Significance:

First Public School in the American Colonies

Designation:

Freedom Trail Site

MANAGED BY:

City of Boston Art Commission

A statue of Benjamin Franklin overlooks the first site of the Latin School, the oldest public school in America. Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock all attended the Latin School. Puritan settlers built the first schoolhouse on this location in 1635. A mosaic in the sidewalk commemorates the site of the school.