In Western Virginia, wealthy families sent their children to private academies for advanced education. These schools taught subjects like Latin, science, philosophy, and grammar to prepare students for college. Brooke Academy opened in 1778 as the first of its kind in the region. Other early schools included Randolph Academy in Clarksburg, Potomac Academy in Romney, and Lewisburg Academy. Marshall Academy (now Marshall University) started in 1837, and Linsly Institute in Wheeling was founded in 1814 and still exists today.