Under Zhu Xi, who had a knack for "management," private academies grew in size and became increasingly widespread. Especially worthy of note was the Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi.
書院在善於「經營」的朱熹手上更具規模與普遍，到北宋已殘破不堪的湖南嶽鹿書院與江西白鹿洞書院因此重獲生機。