The Northwest Witches Academy
The NWA is a small, all girl's magical academy located on a series of small islands in the waters between the open Pacific, the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Victoria Island.
Location
Sisiutl, Kwak'wala, Komokwa and Tseiqami Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Magical defenses help shield the islands from muggle detection, unauthorized visitors and the majority of the brunt of winter storms. The islands are Unplottable and it is impossible to Apparate on or off the islands. In fair weather, it is possible to fly to the islands but broom flight during winter squalls is treacherous. Each of the islands has a port and school sailboats are the transportation of choice on and off the islands.
Culture
The school mascot is the Orca, a frequent visitor to the waters between the islands.
The school has one Quidditch team with the Orca as its mascot. In addition, crew is a popular school sport.
Sisiutl Island is the largest of the islands and is where classrooms and staff housing is located. Secondary School students (Years 1 - 6) are housed in eight cabins on Kwak'wala Island. Collegiate level students (Years 7 - 10) are housed in six cabins on Tseiqami Island. In addition to student cabins, each island has a cabin for the Island Staff Councilor, a central lodge where island residents eat, study and socialize and a campfire. The smallest of the islands, Komokwa Island, is where Year 11 students are housed. Each has their own cabin and there is no Island Staff Councilor. There is still a central lodge and fire circle.
While the individual islands have their own token mascot and colors, each cabin does not.
- Kwak'wala
- mascot: Wolf
- colors: Navy and Silver
- Tseiqami
- mascot: Red-Tailed Hawk
- colors: Burgundy and Tan
- Komokwa
- mascot: Salmon
- colors: Green and Beige
There are six students per year and each cabin has students from different years. In a distinctly summer camp feel, students cabin assignments change each year. The school encourages older students to support and help younger students and each First Year student is assigned a Third Year student as a big sister. two to three pairs of big sisters and little sisters share a cabin. The cabins on Kwak'wala are: Alder, Aspen, Elm, Oak, Poplar, Cottonwood, Sycamore and Juniper. The cabins on Tseiqami are: Manzanita, Madrona, Pine, Spruce, Fir, and Sequoia.
Academics
This school incorporates both primary magical schooling that begins when the girls are 10 and takes them through an advanced degree over 11 years.
This wizarding school is highly unusual in that it offers traditionally muggle courses:
- English & Literature (both Muggle and Magical)
- Math (up to Calculus)
- Sciences
- History (Muggle and Magical)
- Foreign Languages
- Physical Education and Recreation
It should be noted that Northwest is considered radical and is highly criticized for what many see as attempted integration of the separated societies.
Basic Magical Courses:
- Magical Wand Techniques
- Potions and Magical Concoctions
- Magical Elements of the Natural World
