Post by Mike Meyer on Mar 22, 2007 23:47:37 GMT -5
Hogwarts is the only known school of magic in the British Isles, training the children of the United Kingdom possessing magical abilities to become fully qualified witches and wizards. Its status is not discussed in great detail in the Harry Potter novels, but it is known to be a co-educational secondary boarding school taking children from ages 11 to 18. J. K. Rowling initially said there are about 1000 students at Hogwarts;[2] She later suggested around six hundred, while acknowledging that this number was still inconsistent with the small number of people in Harry's year. She further explained that this had resulted from her creating only 40 characters for Harry's year[3].
There are two other schools of magic mentioned by name in the Harry Potter novels: one, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, is located in France, while the Durmstrang Magical Institute is assumed to be located in Northern Europe (since its uniform includes thick furs, and since the students found the British climate more appealing). The name of a possible school, the Salem Witches' Institute, suggests that it may be found in North America. This organisation is in fact only mentioned in relation to a number of middle-aged witches in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and J. K. Rowling has not confirmed if it is indeed a school of magic in the United States. Goblet of Fire also mentions an unnamed school in Brazil.
It is also possible for adults to study magic by distance learning, a method attempted by Argus Filch, as Harry inadvertently discovered in his second year that Filch was attempting to teach himself basic magic from a KWIKSPELL correspondence course in beginners' magic. [HP2] The pamphlet mentioned only adults: it is unknown if it offers services to children.
Management of the school is undertaken by the Head, assisted by a Deputy Head. The Head is answerable to the twelve-member Board of Governors.
It is unclear how Hogwarts is funded, although there is no suggestion that students pay fees. Students are required to purchase their own textbooks, robes, and other supplies, however. Some financial aid is available for students: in the sixth book of the series, there is mention of a special fund for books or equipment for needy students.
There are two other schools of magic mentioned by name in the Harry Potter novels: one, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, is located in France, while the Durmstrang Magical Institute is assumed to be located in Northern Europe (since its uniform includes thick furs, and since the students found the British climate more appealing). The name of a possible school, the Salem Witches' Institute, suggests that it may be found in North America. This organisation is in fact only mentioned in relation to a number of middle-aged witches in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and J. K. Rowling has not confirmed if it is indeed a school of magic in the United States. Goblet of Fire also mentions an unnamed school in Brazil.
It is also possible for adults to study magic by distance learning, a method attempted by Argus Filch, as Harry inadvertently discovered in his second year that Filch was attempting to teach himself basic magic from a KWIKSPELL correspondence course in beginners' magic. [HP2] The pamphlet mentioned only adults: it is unknown if it offers services to children.
Management of the school is undertaken by the Head, assisted by a Deputy Head. The Head is answerable to the twelve-member Board of Governors.
It is unclear how Hogwarts is funded, although there is no suggestion that students pay fees. Students are required to purchase their own textbooks, robes, and other supplies, however. Some financial aid is available for students: in the sixth book of the series, there is mention of a special fund for books or equipment for needy students.