A Great American School
Salem Institute of Magic is a "friendly" rival of Hogwarts. Salem Institute of Magic is also know as Hogwarts West because of their similarities. Although Salem Institute of Magic used to be an all girls school it was changed by the Department of Magic because of the Great Salem Burning which occurred in 1997. Dive into the rich history of Americas greatest wizarding school and compare to the glorious Hogwarts.
Last Updated
05/31/21
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Back In Time
Chapter 2
This chapter is about when Salem Institute of Magic was known as Salem Witches Institute. Let's jump in time and explore the old American school of magic.
The Salem Witches' Institute of Magic, also known as the Salem Witches' Institute is an all-girls school located in the town of Salem, Massachusetts.
The school holds a very notable, yet friendly rivalry with Hogwarts, which has given the Salem Witches' Institute the nickname of "Hogwarts West".
The Institute is one of the three "Sister Witch" schools, the all-girls, magical schools within the United States.
General Information
The Salem Witches' Institute is located in wizarding Salem, Massachusetts and was founded in 1697. Originally, the school was located within a mausoleum in Howard Street Cemetery. However, in 1952, the school was moved to the grounds of an abandoned lighthouse.
The four founders of the school: Abigail Heremora, Dexteria Mott, Rebecca Ravenspirit, and Ann Kibblewell decided to create a school specifically for the education of wizarding women in America, to train them in safety and defense. At the time it was founded, wizarding schools in America were open to men only, thus the Salem Witches' Institute became the first, all-girls school for witches in the country.
About 700 students study at the school and range from ages eleven to eighteen. They are educated on a number of magical subjects.
Principal Athena Gobble-Pierce and Vice-Principal Arcadia Pencey oversee the facility.
The motto, "Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" means "By the wand we seek peace, but only under liberty".
Houses
There are four Houses at the Salem Witches' Institute, each representing a different town in which the infamous, Salem Witch Trials took place. Each House has a profound effect on the personality of each girl within.
The Houses were created when a divide happened within the group of original founders as they were deciding how the school was to be runned. Dexteria Mott (who would go on to establish Ipswich) became very weary of Muggle-borns after the Witch Trials in Salem and wanted the school to only accept Pure-Bloods. Abigail Heremora, the founder of Danvers, thought that the school should be Progressive in its teaching, offering newer ways of study to students, while Fairfield founder, Ann Kibblewell remained a Traditionalist in practice. Rebecca Ravenspirit, the founder of Andover wanted to accept witches from all backgrounds, and eventually came up with the idea of Houses, based upon the system used at Hogwarts, the alma mater of her mother.
Each student is sorted on the first day by the Mirror of Minerva. The mirror, when looked into, reflects the student as the animal of her House. No one knows how the mirror does it, but it has never sorted any witch into the wrong House.
Danvers
Danvers was founded by Abigail Heremora. Danvers values helpfulness and sacrifice, although its members are known for being very passive and very fun-loving. Danvers members are mostly known for becoming healers or entertainers. The animal is a crow and the House song is "Red Hot A' Bubbling".
Danvers House resides on the East side of campus, next to the Amphitheater.
Ipswich
Ipswich was founded by Dexteria Mott, the witch who is credited with the idea for an all-girl witchcraft school in America. Ipswich values loyal deeds and honor above all else. The House is known for consisting mainly of pure-blood witches, and due to this, many of its members are known for being quite serious and judgemental of others. Ipswich's animal is a black labrador and the House song is "The Stone Toil".
Ipswich Manor is located in the South side of campus, just in front of Gallow's Point.
Andover
Andover was founded by Rebecca Ravenspirit and is the largest House. Andover values leaders and independence above all else. The House has had more presidents of the Salem Witches' Institute than any other House. The animal is a white stallion and the House song is "A Dreary Midnight in Yellow and Blue".
Andover Hall is located on the West side of campus and houses the office of the Institute's president. .
Fairfield
Fairfield was founded by Ann Kibblewell and is the smallest of the Houses. Fairfield is a House that has produced some of the best minds in modern American wizarding history. The House values curiousity and creativity, but some of its members are known for being quite aloof. The House animal is a fox and the House song is "When the Lake Calls".
Fairfield Cottage is located to the North of campus and resides on top of Brooksby Lake.
Unlike Hogwarts, because the Salem Witches Institute isn't a boarding school and students go home at the end of the day, Houses don't actually house students. Instead, Houses are used socially. The Houses are used for parties, gatherings, and meetings, as well as a place for students to hang out before and after school.
Houses are social organizations that each student eventually starts to feel is an extension of herself and who she is. Long after students leave, they still hold immense pride in their houses.
Grading and Assessment
Salem Witches' Institute, like many other American wizarding schools, uses a different form of testing for its students. In the sixth year of schooling, students can start taking classes known as MAPs or Magical Advanced Placement. Just like muggle Advanced Placement classes, the MAPs are rigorous versions of ordinary courses, taken for a full year instead of the usual half-year. MAPs prepare students who are looking for a challenge and also look good for anyone who might be looking for a higher-level job once they graduate. These tests run on a scale of 1 (Troll) to 5 (Master).
In the last year of schooling, students take one of two tests, the International-Wizarding Empirical Performance Test (I-WEPT) or the American Wizarding Test (AWT). These tests are taken into consideration by any career or field which requires post-educational witchcraft or wizardry.
The I-WEPT consists of one, written test and a second, additional test in a physical study of the student's choice, such as Potions or Charms. The tests run on a scale from 0 (Troll) to 2400 (Fine). The AWT comes in two separate versions: AWT with Transfiguration and AWT without Transfiguration. Both tests run on a scale from 0 (Okay) to 36 (Outstanding).
If students fail any one of these tests, they can be retaken at anytime, however, specialized preporatory classes usually prevent such embarrasments from happening.
Student Life
A typical day at the Salem Witches' Institute starts with breakfast in the Main Cafeteria. Students can sit freely at any table, although most choose to sit with their own housemates. Teachers and other faculty members eat alongside the students. At 8 am, the bell signals the beginning of first period.
Two classes are followed by lunch in the Main Cafeteria at 12 pm, where afterwards, students are given an hour break. One or two more classes follow (depending on the student's schedule and classes) and school ends around 4 pm.
After the school day is over, students either hang out with friends in their Houses, participate in extracurriculars, or go home. Some students have Muggle cars (which when under a spell, are used to drive outside of the school grounds and into Muggle Salem), others who are old enough to fly do just that, and other students live close enough to walk from the Lighthouse to their homes. Apparation and Disapparation is forbidden by students without a license from the Department of Magic.
Each House on campus is different, but all four include a common room with a fireplace and plently of chairs, lounges, couches, and pillows. The Houses are officially closed with a spell preventing any students from getting in after 9 pm and before 6 am.
Uniforms
The uniform at the Salem Witches' Institute consists of a black, knee-length dress, a yellow belt, and black, leather flats. Around the neck, students wear a thin sash which is draped over the front of the neck and hangs loosely down the back. On campus, these sashes reflect the colors of a student's House: Danvers wears red, Ipswich wears white, Andover wears yellow, and Fairfield wears blue. At events off campus, all students wear black sashes.
On colder days, thick, black or gray tights are worn with black, leather boots that reach the ankle. In addition, students may wear black or gray wool coats or blazers.
At big, on campus events, students wear the same uniforms as their teachers: long, black robes, their House sashes, and black witches' hats.
Food
The food served on campus is prepared by both house-elves and students (who are required to work in the kitchens for a semester as part of their Magical Homemaking class). The food is prepared in the kitchens located in the basement of the Main Cafeteria. As the food is prepared it is magically sent to the tables, where it is self-served by the students. The food is mainly based on American fare, although various, international dishes are also prepared.
Extracurriculars and Clubs
A variety of activities are offered during and after school. Numerous clubs such as:
- Quidditch
- Muggle Art
- The Acaspells (student acapella group)
- Orchestra
- The Stargazer's Circle (biweekly astronomy club)
- Charms Club
- Dramatic Arts
- The Salem Examiner (school newspaper)
- Beast Husbandry
- Herbology Club
Quidditch remains the most popular sport on campus and the students who participate compete against other schools, locally and internationally.
