In the middle and southern colonies, schooling was left to individual parishes and communities. Large towns like New York and Philadelphia had established schools by the close of the seventeenth century, however there was still a very strong focus on religion. As the eighteenth century progressed, the need for better schools was recognized by more than just churches and religious leaders. This growing awareness was partially related to an increased need for clerks and other literate working people. These factors greatly contribute to the rising emphasis on education in America that occurred in the 1700's.
Many towns set up free schools in which only the rich had to pay.
The increase in schools, of course, led to an increase in those entering the teaching profession, which had by then become accepted as a separate vocation from the ministry. The eighteenth century school system put a much stronger emphasis on science than ever before. Students were beginning to find the traditional religious explanations of their environment unconvincing. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was probably the most notable center of scientific study. The fine arts movement, conversely, was barely beginning to emerge during this time.