Boston Latin School (BLS)
Boston Latin School, founded on April 23, 1635, is the oldest public school in America. It offered free education to boys – rich or poor – while girls attended private schools at home. Until the completion of the schoolhouse in 1645, classes were held in the home of the first headmaster, Philemon Pormont. A mosaic and a statue of former student Benjamin Franklin currently marks the location of the original schoolhouse.