The first free US public school was started in Hampton, Virginia, in 1634

The Syms-Eaton Academy in 1901Photo byHampton History Museum screenshot

The Syms-Eaton Academy was the first US free school

Virginia is credited with many firsts, one of which is the establishment of the first free American public school system, which will be 390 years old in 2024.

In 1634, the Syms-Eaton Free School was established. Benjamin Syms decided to provide schooling for the children of Hampton, Elizabeth City and Poquoson. Syms donated 200 acres and 8 cows to help the school get its start.

Twenty-five years later, in 1659, Thomas Eaton donated buildings, livestock, 500 acres of land, and two slaves for the Eaton Charity School to serve the poor in Elizabeth City County.

Both schools became so popular that a statute was passed in 1959 to provide for the attendance of only poor students at Eaton School. In 1805 an act by the General Assembly merged the schools, and they became Hampton Academy,