The development of the American Catholic parochial school system can be divided into three phases. During the first (1750–1870), parochial schools appeared as ad hoc efforts by parishes, and most Catholic children attended public schools.

Where does the first parochial school established?

Following the Revolution, however, Catholic education began in earnest. In fact, just a few years after the end of the war, in 1789, the first true Catholic college in the United States was founded at Georgetown in present-day Washington DC.

When did Catholic schools begin?

The era of Catholic schools in America dates to 1884, when the bishops, responding to complaints about Protestant domination of public schools, ordered every parish to build a school. Waves of mostly poor, immigrant children were educated at these schools, which engendered a backlash.