Which Boston school, founded in 1821, is one of the United States’ earliest public high schools?

The English High School in Boston, founded in 1821, is one of the United States’ earliest public high schools.

The school was established as The English Classical School in response to demand for practical and advanced education. It was modeled partly on the Royal High School in Edinburgh, Scotland, and its first headmaster was educator George B. Emerson. The institution was renamed The English High School after its first relocation in 1824.

When founded, it admitted boys only. A separate high school for girls opened in Boston in 1824, and The English High School became coeducational in 1972. The school has occupied several locations and is now part of Boston Public Schools in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.

It is often mentioned alongside Boston Latin School, but the two are distinct institutions. Boston Latin predates it and is associated with a different founding tradition; The English High School is notable for its early role in public secondary education.