Entrance Hall & Sorting Totems - First Floor

Upon opening the double doors and walking into the grand Entrance Hall, the first thing you notice is the Gordian Knot engraved in the center of the floor surrounded by four large wooden statues – the Horned Serpent, the Wampus, the Thunderbird, and the Pukwudgie. Each one is a mascot to one of the four houses.

If you are a new student, once your name is called, you will need to stand in the center of the knot. The statue that reacts is the house that has chosen you, and each statue has its own unique reaction: The crystal in the forehead of the Horned Serpent carving glows; the Wampus carving roars; the Thunderbird beats its wings; and the Pukwudgie raises its arrow.

If the rarity occurs – that two or more statues react to a student – the student is allowed to pick any one of the houses they would like to be sorted in. This does not happen often, but it is exciting when it does. Once a student is selected by their house, their next step is heading into the next room to be selected by their wand.

During the sorting ceremony, returning students are encouraged to head up the grand staircase to the glass circular balcony in order to watch the ceremony unfold and cheer for their new housemates. This staircase will also be the way to reach the higher floors.

Through another set of doors to the left, you will find the first-floor hallways, and to the right, two sets of double doors will lead you to the Dining Hall and Kitchen.