Schooling for the Magically Inclined
From Namericanpotter
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The Basics
Unlike the system used at Hogwarts, American wizarding schools parallel the muggle school systems. In fact, most children able to cast magic go to muggle schools before their Awakenings. There are two levels of magical education in the United States. First comes a 'high school' or 'novice' level, in which young wizards spend four years learning the basics of magical theory and getting a good grasp of their Ruling arcana. During their third year, students go through examinations in their respective subjects (called MATs, or Magical Aptitude Tests), much like the O.W.L.s that the British schools use. The scores earned on these examinations are sent to the various collegiate-level schools, who then begin a fierce competition for the potential student over the next year. The student may continue on to a collegiate level facility, or make their own way after graduation. The latter is somewhat frowned upon, but it still occurs from time to time.
Once accepted to a collegiate-level facility, the student spends the next three years learning the upper levels of magical theory and developing their magical prowess in both their ruling and common arcana. Those who wish to start a career in the Department of Magical Activities (the American brother of the British Ministry of Magic) take a second set of examinations called the AMATs (Advanced Magical Aptitude Tests) during their final year, something like the GREs that muggle college graduates take.
Enrollment
As all students learn, there are five Watchtowers that grant mages the ability to use magic. What they may not know, however, is the fact that when a mage first writes their name onto the tower, a message travels to each school of Wizardry. In the United States, it is common for computer databases to be set to gather the Shadow Names from this process, although older schools may use the quill and scroll method seen in use in Britain.
It is quite common for a newly-Awakened mage to receive a large number of pamphlets detailing the magical schools in their area, and elsewhere, for that matter. It is common for students to stay in their relative areas for their novice level schooling, then go elsewhere for advanced education.
Topics of Study
Although methods may vary from school to school, the main focus of study is the ten Arcana and thirteen Practices that make up magic as it is known today. Other topics of interest include Magical History and Atlantean Runes (or, in some schools, various sorts of 'Vulgar' runes).
Collegiate-level courses are often more specialized, including things such as Alchemy, Spirit Etiquette, and Weather-working.
Notable Schools
Novice Level
Alamo Preparatory School - San Antonio, Texas
Archway Academy - St. Louis, Missouri
Bay Preparatory School - Berkeley, California
Peachtree Academy - Atlanta, GA
Westchester Institute for Magical Learning - North Salem, New York
Yakima School for Magical Studies - Yakima, Washington
Advanced Level
Evergreen College - Seattle, Washington
Manhattan School for Advanced Wizardry - New York City, New York
Meadows College of the Occult - Las Vegas, Nevada
Vieux Carré Center of Magical Study - New Orleans, Louisiana
Weston Academy of Thaumaturgical Practices - Boston, Massachusetts
