'pro-scholastic' originates from a combination of Latin and Late Latin/Greek elements: specifically the Latin prefix 'pro-' (from Latin 'pro') where 'pro-' meant 'for', and the adjective element 'scholastic' from Late Latin 'scholasticus' (ultimately from Greek 'scholastikos'), where 'scholastikos' is related to Greek 'scholē' meaning 'school' or 'learning'.

'pro-scholastic' was formed in Modern English as the compound of the prefix 'pro-' + the adjective 'scholastic'. The element 'scholastic' itself evolved from Late Latin 'scholasticus' (and Old French 'escolastic') which came from Greek 'scholastikos', and eventually became the modern English 'scholastic'.

Initially, the components meant 'for' + 'of or relating to the school/learning' (i.e., 'in favor of scholasticism' or 'for scholarly methods'); over time the compound has been used both for support of historical Scholasticism and more generally to describe support for formal academic/school-based education and methods.