The concept of school, in its broadest sense, has existed for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations like Greece, Rome, India, and Egypt having forms of organized education. However, the modern school system as we know it today is widely credited to Horace Mann, an American education reformer born in 1796. Mann is considered the "Father of the Common School Movement" and played a pivotal role in developing public, tax-funded, nonsectarian schools accessible to all children regardless of social class or wealth. He served as the Secretary of Education in Massachusetts in the 19th century and established a standardized curriculum and professional teacher training, laying the foundation for the modern public school system in the United States and influencing education worldwide

. In summary:

• Ancient formal education existed in various civilizations.
• Horace Mann (1796–1859) is credited with inventing the modern school system.
• Mann advocated for free, publicly funded, nonsectarian education with trained teachers.
• His reforms began in Massachusetts in the early 19th century and spread nationwide.

Thus, while schooling itself is ancient, Horace Mann is the key figure behind the creation of the modern school system