1. Early Schools:
- The earliest schools were established by religious groups, such as the Quakers and Anglicans, for the education of their members. These schools often provided basic reading, writing, and religious instruction.
- The first recorded school in Delaware was the Friends School in New Castle, established in 1682. It was operated by the Society of Friends and emphasized a practical education that included agriculture, carpentry, and navigation.
2. Itinerant Schoolmasters:
- Itinerant schoolmasters were common in rural areas where there were no permanent schools. These teachers would travel from one community to another, providing short-term instruction.
- The schoolmasters would typically stay for a few weeks or months and teach basic subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic.
3. Grammar Schools:
- As the colony prospered, more advanced schools, known as grammar schools, were established. These schools offered a classical education, focusing on Latin, Greek, literature, mathematics, and philosophy.
- The most prominent grammar school in Delaware was the Academy and College of Newark, founded in 1765 (present-day University of Delaware).
4. Limited Attendance:
- Education was not mandatory in colonial Delaware, and attendance was primarily limited to children from wealthy families.
- Many families relied on apprenticeship systems for vocational training, while poorer children often did not have access to formal schooling.
5. Diversity in Education:
- There была некоторое разнообразие в образовании, особенно в религиозном плане. Например, некоторые меннонитские общины на севере колонии предпочитали обучение дома под непосредственным руководством родителей.
6. Role of Women in Education:
- Women's education was limited, and formal schooling opportunities were primarily available to boys. However, some girls received basic literacy and religious instruction at home or from female tutors.
7. Influence of the Enlightenment:
- Towards the latter part of the colonial period, the ideas of the Enlightenment and increasing cultural exchange influenced education in Delaware. This led to an increased emphasis on science and practical knowledge, along with a gradual expansion of educational opportunities.
Overall, education in colonial Delaware was limited in terms of accessibility, but it provided the foundation for the development of a more comprehensive educational system in the years that followed.