<p>Children attend school in the mountain village of Kampanzan in modern-day Taiwan. When this photo appeared in a <a href="http://archive.nationalgeographic.com/?iid=52455#folio=246" target="_blank">1920 <i>National Geographic</i> article</a>, the island was known as Formosa.<br> <br> <i>Dates of the photographs in this gallery have been included when possible and match the information available in National Geographic's photographic archives. Many dates for these archived photos are unknown.</i></p>

Children attend school in the mountain village of Kampanzan in modern-day Taiwan. When this photo appeared in a 1920 National Geographic article, the island was known as Formosa.

Dates of the photographs in this gallery have been included when possible and match the information available in National Geographic's photographic archives. Many dates for these archived photos are unknown.

Photograph by TAIWAN GOV'T INFORMATION OFFICE, Nat Geo Image Collection

These Vintage Pictures Celebrate School Around the World

As summer comes to an end in the northern hemisphere, many teachers and students are preparing to head back to school for a new year of learning.

As the last days of summer in the northern hemisphere come to a close, many students and teachers in North America, Europe, and Asia are preparing for a new school year—readying themselves for days of lessons and learning.

For some families, this means taking back-to-school shopping trips and finishing up final summer vacations. For others, it means preparing to send students off to college or schools away from home.

In some circumstances, however, even making it to the classroom is a struggle. Gender, race and ethnicity, economic resources, geography, and cultural norms all have an impact on the educational participation of children around the world. Yet, in the face of difficulty, motivated teachers and students persevere for the sake of learning—an effort often viewed as an avenue away from these challenges.

These images from the National Geographic archive celebrate the efforts of educators and students around the globe.

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