He did not learn any other languages or go to college. In fact, George Washington's education ended when he was about sixteen years old.



It is not for certain who taught Washington or where he attended school. The only thing that remains from the education of George Washington is his school papers. Through the papers, it can be determined that he has useful education that would help him later on in life.

Washington was quoted as describing his education as "defective." Even though the education of George Washington continued to be developed, he remained embarrassed that his formal education ended early.

His favorite methods of acquiring knowledge included reading books, learning from others, and studying the people he respected. He also learned from personal experiences.

But let's go back to his school papers. Here's what we can conclude about the education of George Washington through these records:

1. Washington's first school papers bear the date 1741. Since he was born sometime around 1732, he could effectively read, write, and do arithmetic at about age eight or nine.

2. Washington turned in a paper that was a survey of a turnip field owned by his half-brother. Clearly he learned about surveying in school. How did this skill help him later on?

3. One of his papers showed that he studied geography, could calculate interest on money transactions, and could copy many legal forms that were used in Virginia at that time.

4. Washington may not have received his education in England, but he was certainly taught something about manners and decorum. He copied 110 rules that people should observe for good manners and behavior.

These rules were named "The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." It was these rules that must have enabled him to communicate so well with the leaders and people around him.

Even though the education of George Washington was cut by a couple of years, it is obvious that he received a good education. What he learned helped him become a leader for this nation.