Education in the New England Colonies was based on the Bible. The Puritans built their society entirely around the Bible. They valued education because they believed that Satan was keeping those who couldn't read away from the Bible. According to research, about two-thirds of Puritan men and one third of Puritan women could sign their names. That was the standard of literacy for that time.
The young boys, ages six to eight, learned how to read and spell and say prayers at a school that was like a home day care. When they were older they went to a Latin grammar school to get ready for college. They would be expected to choose a career in religion or politics. Girls learned household skills to prepare themselves for working in the home and being good mothers.