What is the Purpose of Schools?

The purpose of schools has changed throughout history. In the beginning, school was primarily based upon growing the country economically and to promote democracy. When religion was big in the colonies, it was based around the church. Then, school moved onto purposely only focusing on educating the elite and leaving the poor to self-educate or learn through the clergy. Schools were not equally accessible, they often left out students who had to work and they also did not see a point in educating women. After awhile, views shifted on the education of women and they began to learn more than reading and writing to help raise moral children. Once again, schools focused on educating children to help them learn the foundations of democracy to be able to be knowledgeable voters. They also saw education as a way of creating bonds among the diverse classes and promote American unity. I believe the purpose of school is to educate the future and prepare them to not only be apart of democracy. but to also be kind, smart, and upstanding citizens to help society improve with each following generation.