Holbrook organized the first industrial school in the United States. The students worked on the farm for a part of their tuition. It was modeled after the agronomy ideas of Philipp Emanuel von Fellenberg of Switzerland. Holbrook's school was the main motivator in the new movement of lyceum schooling and industrial training in the United States for young adult men. Holbrook was the inspiration behind the American Lyceum Association, the first national education association. Its purpose was, (1) to get better government support for public schools; (2) to upgrade the skills of teachers; (3) to have college prep courses in public schools; (4) to upgrade school text books and materials of instruction; (5) to teach the natural sciences as regular courses; (6) to upgrade teaching equipment; and (7) to get young ladies as well involved in early education for careers.