Barbra Samuels, age 13, of Indianapolis, Ind., for her question:

WHERE WAS THE FIRST SCHOOL STARTED?

From the most ancient times until about the 1500s, most people never attended schools. Even those from advanced societies didn't attend regular classes, since the only schools were those religious organizations which trained young men for the priesthood.

We don't know where the first one was located, but widespread development of public schools started in the early 1800s when government leaders in many countries realized that progress depends on educated citizens.

Before that time, schools were being established slowly.  The first institution of higher learning in the American colonies was Harvard College, which was established in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638.

The first schools in what is now the United States were established in the early 1600s.