In 1636 only 6 years after their arrival the Puritans formed Harverd College The founders of the school stated the purpose in this way:"Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well,the main aim of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life(John 17:3)  and therefore lay christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning."