Schools have become part and parcel of modern society, and it has been so for a long time. Although the forms have changed, the basic concept goes back to the time of the Byzantine Empire and the Greeks. Schools in the US have also undergone numerous changes.

1. Tracing the Origins of School
There is still debate among historians as to who invented school. There is no question that
knowledge was passed down by the Egyptians, but it was probably limited to a select few. But
the concept of gathering students to teach them various subjects began in Greece.
Education in Ancient Greece
The concept of a school system originated in the Byzantine Empire and Rome. But they were
influenced by the Greeks. This is because the Greeks were always pursuing knowledge. That
is why people say they were the ones who originated the school concept.
But in Greece it was more of a discipleship, not the school used today. They had a teacher
with disciples. Unlike today, the teacher and disciples would travel and lecture in various
places.
The Byzantines
The Byzantines took the Greek idea of teacher and disciples. However, they preferred to use a
system and study in an enclosed and permanent area. While the Greeks talked about random
subjects, the Byzantines sought to teach more specific matters. Some of the subject matters
they taught were history, mathematics, philosophy and many others.
Horace Mann
As the concept of education evolved, Horace Mann would go on to establish a system of
school. Born in Franklin Massachusetts, he studied Law at the Brown University. He set up a
system in Bridgewater and Lexington, Massachusetts around the mid 1830s.
While he was not the man who invented school, he was very influential in the way schools
operated.
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, there were many schools in existence. During this time, the goal of
these establishments was to teach the Latin language. From this practice, the school evolved
to include other subjects like math, languages, sciences, religion and other subjects.
Eventually the schools would include practical, artistic and specialized subjects.
Modern Schools
While there is still speculation on who invented school, there is no question that it has
evolved. In the early days in the US, the schools consisted of one teacher who instructed
seven grades of girls and boys.
In the 1920s, the schools were transformed into classrooms with several features. School
buses would eventually become common. Schools today have cafeterias where they eat.

2. The more highly developed ones have gyms, playgrounds and athletic fields. It is also not
uncommon for schools to have a hall or auditorium where students stage plays. There is also
an office where administrative work is done.
References:
http://www.whoinventedit.net/who-invented-school.html
http://www.everydayguide.com/who-invented-school/