Or, in the 19th and earlier 20th Century, public school, just as in Germany the Abitur qualified one to do one's compulsory military service as an officer of th

Or, in the 19th and earlier 20th Century, public school, just as in Germany the Abitur qualified one to do one's compulsory military service as an officer of the reserve. Now, the instruction in the public school and gymnasium leaned heavily on classical studies, and no doubt for much of the period scanted math and science. But there would have been a consistent level of schooling. In the US, particularly until the late 19th Century, I'm not sure that was so. The congressman on the recent frontier had an appointment in his gift, just as did the congressman whose district took in the Boston Latin School. Combining the military and educational instruction gave a chance to bring everyone up to at least a known level.