It wouldn’t be outrageous to say that Harry Potter might possibly be the most famous book series of all time, becoming massively popular amongst all age groups across the globe. “The Boy Who Lived” has certainly left his mark (or his scar, rather) on the literary world, and subsequently, pop culture as a whole.
Harry and his friends attended the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a magical institution very different from the environment here at the Baltimore School For the Arts (BSA). But they do share one thing in common: the student body is separated into distinct departments, each with their own characteristics and quirks.
With this knowledge in mind, a unique thought experiment presents itself…
What if some of BSA’s staff took a Harry Potter Sorting Quiz? What results would it yield? How would they react to their house placement? Many passionate emails later, the answers are here.
For those unfamiliar, it’s important to explain what the Houses of Hogwarts truly represent. On your first day at Hogwarts, a mystical Sorting Hat judges your character and places students into one of four houses…
GRYFFINDOR: Known for their bravery, courage, and stubbornness, members of Gryffindor are often described as reckless, funny, adventurous, honest, and prone to living in the moment. Some of the noblest wizards belong to Gryffindor – including Harry Potter himself. Their symbol is the lion, and their colors are red and gold.
RAVENCLAW: Aligned with traits of heightened intelligence, creativity, and pretentiousness, those in Ravenclaw are believed to be very individualistic, curious, sarcastic, and judgmental human beings. Not every Ravenclaw is a genius, and not every genius is a Ravenclaw, but all Ravenclaws share a knack for learning and logical thinking. Their symbol is the raven, and their colors are blue and purple.
HUFFLEPUFF: Defined by their distinct hardworking nature, loyalty, kindness, and naivete, Hufflepuffs value friendship and family to the highest regard. They share a strong sense of humor, and are often introverts; shy, humble, yet unafraid to speak out against injustice. Hufflepuffs typically have a profound bond with the natural world, too. Their symbol is the badger, and their colors are yellow and black.
SLYTHERIN: Slytherin isn’t the “villainous house” some people make them out to be. While it’s true that Voldemort, (aka “He who shall not be named”) belonged to Slytherin, anyone with a strong sense of ambition, confidence, resourcefulness, leadership, and ruthlessness can call this house their home. They’re also known to have very competitive spirits – Slytherin has won more Quidditch Cups than any other house! Their symbol is the serpent, and their colors are green and silver.
Every academic teacher and each of our department heads were given the official Wizardmore Online Test. 88 percent chose to participate (nice job, staff!) Try it for yourself, and see which of your teachers you align with most!
Now, let’s take a look at the results…
Ms. Johnson: GRYFFINDOR
“I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT MY RESULTS.”
Mr. Roblin: SLYTHERIN
“I’m not sure what that means but that’s what it said. I know nothing about Harry Potter.”
Ms. Allison: RAVENCLAW
“I have a touch of mystery, an intellectual curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, individuality, and unique perspectives. Ravenclaw fits my personality overall.”
Ms. Fetterolf: HUFFLEPUFF
“This makes me think I need to reread to see what that means. It has been many years since I read the books.”
Mr. Bandos: RAVENCLAW
“I’m a Ravenclaw. Do I even need to take the test? My patronus is a weasel. Also, this is very millennial-friendly of you!”
Dr. Edwards: RAVENCLAW
“I am glad to be a Ravenclaw because that house values intelligence, creativity, and wit, which definitely describes me.”
Ms. Bacon: GRYFFINDOR
“Of the four house symbols, I have a pretty deep-seeded phobia of snakes or even iconography of snakes, so a Slytherin placement might actually be enough to make me transfer schools. I’m cool with lions, but male lions are more bravado than work ethic, so I wish we would value the lioness image in instances of symbolism. Professor McGonagall is also someone I would admire and want to mentor me, so I’m happy she’s in charge of my house. She holds high expectations but is also empathetic and supportive of her community.”
Ms. Bremer: HUFFLEPUFF
“ 🤣🤣🤣🤣 ”
Ms. Tolentino: SLYTHERIN
“So apparently I am a Slytherin, and I do not know a ton about Harry Potter, but it seems that Slytherins are people who value ambition and resourcefulness. But then apparently everyone who goes bad is in Slytherin, so I am not sure what to think, haha!”
Mr. Hendrick: HUFFLEPUFF
“Apparently, I am a Hufflepuff?!”
Ms. Becky (Mossing): GRYFFINDOR
“An excuse to do something fun? I will take time for something like that. I was sorted into Gryffindor!”
Sra. Imhoff: RAVENCLAW
“I was surprised about my results…”
Ms. Grouzard: RAVENCLAW/HUFFLEPUFF
“When I originally read Harry Potter I was in high school and was always very proud of my grades and academic achievements so I naturally aligned with Ravenclaw. I really felt that I was Ravenclaw and that Luna Lovegood would have been my bestie at Hogwarts. HOWEVER. When the Pottermore quiz came out, I took it and got Hufflepuff. I was devastated. I was confused. I took it again with a different email address. Still Hufflepuff. I became less interested in houses and Harry Potter as I started a career and a family. But then in 2021 I asked my kids if they were interested in reading the HP series with me… they were not. But I persisted – I asked them to listen to one chapter of the first book. If they didn’t want to read it any more after that, I’d let it go. Needless to say, they were hooked and we read the entire series, one chapter a night for a whole year. During this, we all took the Pottermore quiz and when I got Hufflepuff AGAIN I wasn’t upset. I felt like it was actually very correct. For while I do value intelligence, I value my friends and relationships more. I love teaching intelligent students here at BSA, but I love teaching those that are curious and hard working more. So when I took YOUR quiz and it said Ravenclaw, WHAT?! It’s interesting how if I got that result 10 years ago I would have rejoiced. But not today, because I don’t care what it says. I’m Hufflepuff. End of rant.”
Julianne (Franz): GRYFFINDOR
“No comment.”
Ms. Tatum: RAVENCLAW/GRYFFINDOR
“The Magical Sorting Hat (at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) already officially assigned me to House Gryffindor. Unlike my prior designation, your quiz has determined that I am a Ravenclaw!”
Ms. Providence: HUFFLEPUFF
“That’s a pretty funny and cool idea… That’s actually the first time I’ve ever gotten Hufflepuff in a Hogwarts sorting quiz. I’ve typically gotten Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw once, but never Hufflepuff. It makes me think if I’ve changed at all or what specifically the quiz sees in the answer choices that I put that sorted me into Hufflepuff.”
Mr. Skorko: RAVENCLAW
“Seems accurate.”
Ms. Tronolone: RAVENCLAW
“Henry, by the way, I’m a Ravenclaw.”
Ms. Iris (Anderson): GRYFFINDOR
“While I am not a huge Harry Potter devotee, I am curious about the results. It was hard to choose, so I’m sure I’m a bit of all houses :)”
Ms. Simmons: HUFFLEPUFF
“I got Hufflepuff. I’ve taken this quiz a couple of times before. I always hope for something else; I still get Hufflepuff. So, I guess it’s time to accept that I am, in fact, Hufflepuff.”
Ms. Bea (Bufrahi): RAVENCLAW
“I wanted Hufflepuff. I really wanted to be Hufflepuff. At least I’m not Slytherin.”
So, some key takeaways:
42 percent — almost HALF of all participating faculty — belonged to House Ravenclaw. It’s unsurprising, considering that our sample group is fully composed of adults devoting their careers to learning.
9 percent — a mere two teachers — were sorted into Slytherin, a suspiciously small figure. Interestingly, our only Slytherins, Mr. Roblin and Ms. Tolentino, were also the only ones completely unfamiliar with the series.
24 percent were selected into House Hufflepuff, a statistically normal amount. For some odd reason, Hufflepuff proved to be the most polarizing house; many teachers really wanted to be in Hufflepuff, but many of those sorted into Hufflepuff wished they hadn’t been. A notable trait of this house is indecisiveness, and it’s clear there may be some truth to that statement.
24 percent of our faculty belong to Gryffindor, the same as Hufflepuff. Almost all participating art department heads were sorted into Gryffindor — Ms. Becky, Julianne, and Ms. Iris! Perhaps there exists a stronger relationship between artistry and Gryffindor values than previously realized.
Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers who took the time out of their busy schedules to engage in a glorified online personality quiz. While there may not truly be a school for magically gifted teenagers hidden in the English countryside, imagining Mr. Roblin riding a broomstick above the Forbidden Forest is quite an amusing thought.
To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.
Featured image by Henry Schmid-James for The Muse.
