This study is a tentative discussion that examines the meaning of school in society. First, by examining the historicity of school, the ways in which the meaning of school has changed and the ways it has been accepted in society can be explored. It was not until a series of educational transitions during the Renaissance and Reformation that schooling came to be standardized and normalized. After that, schooling, which was established as a social system under the control of the state, greatly contributed to the formation of the modern nation-state. Then, as a horizontal approach, the major theories of sociology of education, dealing with school and schooling as main themes, are investigated. Specifically, the perception of school and schooling through the functional paradigm, the conflict paradigm, and the new sociology of education are identified. However, as society changes rapidly, there are some parts of school that cannot be explained by the existing theories of sociology of education. Therefore, it is necessary to approach school with a new perspective in accordance with this change. Today’s school not only has the characteristics of both panopticon and banopticon, but it is also greatly affected by digital education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this study introduces school that is essential for the current times and social background; furthermore, school that is faithful to the intrinsic meaning of school. The commonality of both schools is that they are made up of various members and occupy space and time. This emphasizes that school has a meaning of existence even in the transition era.