Your Guide to the Hogwarts Campus

[mod audrey]

Hi, everyone! Whether you're new to Alohomora or just need a reference, this is your guide to the Hogwarts campus as it has existed since IC June 2027.

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Names of the Hogwarts Divisions

The names of the three schools that now make up Hogwarts were decided by a poll of Alohomora's membership at the time.

MYSTIC - Merlin's Youth School for Teaching Intelligent Children
This is a day school, with no overnight boarding.

MYSTIC is the Hogwarts primary school, where the children of all magical origins (regardless of whether or not they've shown signs of magic) and children of Muggles who have already shown enough signs of magic to be identified as Muggle-borns (so that they can become adjusted to the magical world prior to the secondary school) are taught. No magic is actually taught in this school, and instead they learn regular education skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, etc. There are two destinations for children once they complete their studies at MYSTIC. For the children that have shown signs of magic, they'll move to the secondary school, MAGIC. Those that haven't shown signs of magic by the end of their time at MYSTIC (Squibs) will attend a non-magical school of their parents' or guardians' choice.

MAGIC - McGonagall Academy for Gifted Illusionary Children
This is a day or boarding school (depending on the wishes of the parents or guardians).

MAGIC is the Hogwarts secondary school, providing students with their general magical education. This is equivalent to the 1st-5th years at Hogwarts as it was previously structured, leading up to students' OWL examinations. During these five years, students study only their core classes, which are Astronomy, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, and Transfiguration. Fifth-year students will also take Apparition, a difference from the previous system. After they complete their OWLs, students can decide they are done with school and move on to the workforce, OR they can continue to pursue their education by studying for their NEWTs at the next school, LIFE.

After students have completed their OWLs, they can legally use magic outside of school. (That's right! Unsupervised magic is now linked to graduation, not age!)

LIFE - Lufkin Institute for Further Education
Students can live on campus or off (depending on their preference).

LIFE is the home for tertiary education at Hogwarts, and it is both a trade school and university. There are basically three parts to this school: Those seeking their NEWTs, those needing job training, and those seeking even more education.

If they so desire, students can come only to complete their NEWT exams. Once they successfully pass their NEWT exams, they can graduate, or they can keep studying. Educational options beyond the NEWT level include studies that would be equivalent to university degrees in the non-magical world, or students can study for specific job training (such as Curse-Breaking, law enforcement, Healing, and similar).

Since the options are so varied, students' time at LIFE could be anywhere from 2 to 5+ years, depending on the path they choose to take! Students pursuing NEWT Studies are considered to be in their first and second years at LIFE, and job training or studies for the equivalent of an undergraduate degree now requires a further two years of study. Students can choose to study beyond that level, pursuing the equivalent of a postgraduate degree.

Be sure to check the site calendar for the term dates for the schools as they relate to your characters' activities!

To remind everyone of the flow of these schools, here is the flowchart we shared originally that shows how a character's education would affect their job prospects.

What About the Teachers?

The Hogwarts claim for all levels of students and staff members can be found HERE! Please note that the MYSTIC and MAGIC teachers can ONLY teach one class. Teachers at LIFE can teach multiple courses (and even work other places), and you can make up your own classes to teach. Imagine it like real university; for many professors, teaching is just a side gig.

Schools Beyond Hogwarts

As a poll of Alohomora's members showed, we decided to keep three other magical schools available! Those are Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Ilvermorny. Anyone can make staff and students for these schools as they desire, but these students and staff members are listed separately in the job claim.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are students Sorted into their Houses?
A: Students are Sorted into their Houses upon beginning their studies at MAGIC, the secondary school. Students in primary school at MYSTIC are not yet Sorted into Houses.

Q: Do the LIFE students eat in the Great Hall (located within MAGIC)?
A: Since the LIFE students are adults and are allowed to use magic outside of school after completing their OWLs now, they also have Hogsmeade at their disposal. While LIFE and MYSTIC staff and students might occasionally join those at MAGIC for feasts in the Great Hall, this isn't a regular occurrence. There is also the Flobberworm & Lettuce, a student union pub for the LIFE students who don't wish to cook for themselves in their dormitories. (Food is unfortunately one of the exceptions to Gamp's Law, after all!)

Q: Who wears uniforms?
A: Only the students at MAGIC (1st through 5th years) wear uniforms. While this could lead to the odd Muggle fashion faux pas or two for those who don't have to wear uniform robes, we think that students will be much more comfortable this way.

Q: Can my LIFE student play Quidditch for their House team?
A: If your student is still studying for their NEWTs (in what was previously the 6th and 7th years at Hogwarts), they can! Post-NEWT LIFE students cannot; however, they are welcome to cheer on their former Houses. The claim for clubs, leadership roles, and Quidditch is LOCATED HERE.

Q: What's the deal with the dormitories?
A: The dormitories are new buildings on the Hogwarts campus since the school was rebuilt. Dormitories are only available to MAGIC and LIFE students, and they are separated by House through the end of NEWT studies, meaning that MAGIC and LIFE students will have some more opportunities to interact. For students who choose to live on campus after completing their NEWTs, there is a separate dormitory building. LIFE students in general can also choose off-campus housing, whether that's living with family members or other students.

Q: How do students travel to Hogwarts daily?
A: The younger students who don't live on campus (the MYSTIC students and some MAGIC students) are transported to and from school every day by a triple-decker bus (similar to the Knight Bus). LIFE students can use whatever mode of transportation is most convenient for them, whether that's broomstick, bus, Side-Along Apparition, train, or Portkey. (It's probably best not to steal your father's flying car, though...)

Q: What happened to the Chamber of Secrets?
A: It was destroyed by Elaine Dupree on May 15, 2026, and was not rebuilt.

Q: Help! I can't find WADA! Where is it?
A: WADA is now on the Hogwarts campus, located within LIFE. Just like magic, the old WADA board in London will redirect you to the correct board for now.