You're putting them where...?: Differences Between the British and American Four-House Systems

The other primary difference in sorting methods grew from the common observation that the British system seems to land scores and scores of Dark Wizards and other villainous types all together in Slytherin House. Naturally, students are placed in Slytherin not because they have the potential to turn wicked but because they posess determination and nerve, qualities which can be powerful assets to Light wizards-- nevertheless, the suspiscion exists that the Slytherin atmosphere encourages rule-breaking and backhanded dealings, as otherwise upright witches and wizards are corrupted by the instigation of their more questionable colleagues. (In other words, the high concentration of sinister characters in Slytherin House seems to provide a breeding ground for villains and their sidekicks.) In the interests of maintaining peace and social order, the American system of student sorting seeks to place students of questionable ethics in wholesome atmospheres where they will observe heroics instead of villany.

In designing her new sorting system, Professor Ashwand was quite vocal in her criticism of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin for arranging their houses so as to cluster all the courageous students, the learned students, the faithful students, and the ruthless students separately from one another. Attempting to mix these groups up and generate many new groups of heroes and their sidekicks (while dispersing clusters of would-be villains), Ashwand's system sorts young witches and wizards by scholastic attitude and areas of social interest.

To illustrate the differences between the American and British systems, we here at Hogwarts, Salem Campus have compiled this sorting chart for some students and faculty who are currently associated with the English school.

Hogwarts Home