JK Rowling Reveals Secret Wizard Schools

The writer/creator of the hit movie franchise says there are actually 11 registered with the International Confederation of Wizards.

She provided names for four of the newer ones on her website Pottermore – Ilvermorny, Castelobruxo, Uagadou and Mahoutokoro.

“The number of countries that have their own magical school is minuscule compared to those that do not,” she posted.

“This is because the wizarding populations of most countries choose the option of home schooling.

Here are more details on the schools setting the Potterverse online fan-sites into meltdown:

Castelobruxo, pronounced Cass-tell-o-broo-shoo, is “the Brazilian school for magic, which takes students from all over South America.” It is “hidden deep within the rainforest” and to keep it from being detected by Muggles the “castle appears to be a ruin.” The school is known for its exchange program with European students. You can spot students of the school as they wear “bright green robes and are especially advanced in both Herbology and Magizoology”.

Uagadou, pronounced Wag-a-doo, is the African school for magic. It is the “largest of all wizarding schools” and has been around for “at least a thousand years.” People that are lucky enough to visit it, “speak of a stunning edifice carved out of the mountainside and shrouded in mist, so that it sometimes appears simply to float in mid-air.” Their students are especially well versed in Astronomy, Alchemy and Self-Transfiguration.” Oh, and they don’t require a wand as African witches and wizards learned long ago that many spells can be “cast simply by pointing the finger or through hand gestures.”

Mahoutokoro, pronounced Mah-hoot-o-koh-ro, is an ancient Japanese school that also happens to have the “smallest student body of the eleven great wizarding schools.” Though, they get a jump on most by enrolling students “from the age of seven (although they do not board until they are eleven).” It’s located on the Volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima, which appears to be uninhabited to Muggles.

Ilvermorny is the name of the North American wizarding school, though, there is no further information provided about the school, at this time.

JK’s latest news coincides with a further sneak peek at the latest tale in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

A behind-the-scenes featurette, below, is meant to warm fans up for their return to the cinematic wizarding world later this year.