Jewish educational pioneers in third and fourth century Babylonia transformed their community's future by establishing a revolutionary school system, yet their story remains largely untold. Through analysis of rabbinic literature, particularly the Babylonian Talmud, evidence emerges of how prominent academy founders Rav, Rav Judah, and Rava systematically developed formal education for young children, transplanting and adapting models from the Land of Israel. These leaders strategically invoked the heroic example of Joshua ben Gamala, who had established the first public Jewish schools in 64 C.E., to drive educational reforms in their own era. Their efforts marked a dramatic evolution from individual tutoring under Rav to a comprehensive public system under Rava, complete with detailed pedagogical practices including age-six enrollment policies, disciplinary protocols, and classroom management techniques. The resulting institutional framework featured synagogue-based schools, standardized teacher compensation, regulated class sizes, and district zoning. By preserving Torah knowledge and ensuring cultural transmission during a critical period following the Temple's destruction, these educational innovators earned their place among the heroes of Jewish history, though their achievements have been insufficiently recognized. Analysis of Talmudic sources reveals both their practical innovations and their lasting impact on Jewish educational traditions.