Witches' School General Information Post
Please read all of this before signing up or asking a question.
What is the Witches' School?
Witches' School is a one-year course which offers several classes related to aspects of modern witchcraft, neopaganism, and similar things. You will get a digital certificate if and when you complete it, but said certificate holds no value in the real world, unfortunatly.
Is it free?
Enrolling costs no money, and this is a volunteer-based project. You will, however, probably be asked to aquire materials for classes which might cost money, such as a notebook, or salt. These requests are minimized as much as possible, as we are well aware that a large majority of (potential) students are minors, do not have a enough money to budget for witchcraft, are in the broom closet, or multiple of the above.
How does the tagging system work?
"witches school info" - information about rules, classes, structure, etc
Other than that, class names are tagged on classes, as well as the Term + year. Asks are tagged "witches school ask".
Who can enroll?
Anyone can enroll! If you're a baby witch, an experienced witch who's curious or wants to refresh their knowledge, a curious nonbeliever (as long as you're respectful), or just coming back to witchcraft after a hiatus, anyone is welcome! Students of all ages, backgrounds, genders, etc, are encouraged to enroll.
What do you need to enroll?
All students are required to have the following; an active tumblr account, a google account, an active email account, a phone number with acces to whatsapp, and at least a moderate understanding of English. All classes and organisation will be in English, but you're allowed to use a translating program if needed. Furthermore, individual classes may have extra requirements.
When can you enroll?
Forms to enroll for the next Term should always be available, but you will only be able to begin classes at the beginning of Term.
What's a Term, then?
There are four Terms a year: Spring Term, Summer Term, Fall/Autumn Term, and Winter Term. Terms are based on the Wheel of the Year (if you don't know what that is, you could look it up, but it's covered in some classes). Next Term will be Spring Term 2025, from Imbolc to Beltane (Feb 1 - May 1). Dropping or taking a new class is also something that only happens in between Terms- although, if you plan to drop a class anyways, nobody's forcing you to complete the work or read the lessons.
What classes are there?
For next Term, there should be a total of twelve classes. Two of which are mandatory, as they are about the most basic things any witch should know, and other classes would be rather difficult without them. These classes are The Practical Aspects of Magic, and Stereotypes & the Reality About Magic. You are required to sign up for at least one optional class, and you're free to sign up for every single one if you want to and have the time/energy. Details about individual classes can be found here.
How do grades work?
Grades are pretty straightforward. They work in a numbered system, going up to 10, with one decimal. In simpler terms: If you get nothing right, you'll get a 0. If you get half right, you'll get a 5. If you get everything right, you'll get a 10. A passing grade is a 5 or higher. A failing grade is a 4.9 or lower. At the end of each Term, your overall grades per class will be calculated into an average. If that grade average is a 5 or higher, you've passed the class.
Wait, what? You can fail a class?
Yes, you can. Unless it's one of the required classes, don't worry about it too much- all it means is that the failed class won't be on your Term Certificate, and you can pick it right up in time for next Term. If it really bothers you, you can always come back a later year to retake that class in the Term you failed it. If you fail a required/mandatory class, however, you fail the Term. That means you won't recieve a Term Certificate, and will have to retake the Term, or at least the required class you failed, another year if you want your Witch's Certificate. You can, however, request a declaration stating the classes you did pass that Term, so that you won't have to retake those as well. If you do not have a declaration, it's essentially as if you never completed the Term.
What's all this about Certificates?
For each Term you pass, you will get a digital Term Certificate. It will not be made public. The Term Certificate includes the Term & Year, your full name, and your end-of-Term average in all the classes that you passed. Failed classes will not be mentioned on your Term Certificate. If you have a Term Certificate for each Term, you will get a Witch's Certificate. It will include the year(s) in which you passed which Terms, your date of graduation, a signature from your teacher, and each class you have ever passed, even if only once. If you passed certain classes in a Term that you failed, they will not be on your Witch's Certificate unless you've handed in a declaration stating you passed those classes.
Is there homework? What about tests?
Yes, there is homework. Some of it is graded, some of it isn't. All of it should be easy. If you think homework is too difficult, or too time-consuming, please request a change or ask a question. At the end of each Term, there will be a test per class that combines all the subjects discussed that Term. Other than that, classes will individually decide how many tests are required per Term or subject.
The learning methods available don't work for me / I need an accesibility feature that isn't already provided
You are free to request anything that will benefit your learning experience. If you have something specific in mind, that's great, and if not, we will work with you to find something that works. There is no discrimination here, and the comfort of students is a high priority, especially those that are disabled, neurodivergent, or mentally ill. While the structure is set up like a school, this is most importantly a place for you to educate yourself, recieve the help you need, and make connections in a witchy community. Fun will always be more important than grades and exceptions are easy to get.
What's the difference between a question and a request?
A question is public, a request is more personally relevant. If you have a question, something that might be relevant to others, you may put it in the ask box, and it will be publicly answered. If you have a request, you may dm this account. Examples of requests are listed in this post, but here they are again: if you need a declaration of passed classes, if you require accessibility features, if the homework is too intense for you, and other things that are specific to you and your needs. Examples of questions are all the bold texts in this post, and similar things.
How do classes work?
Classes are weekly. At some point on the day of the class, a post will be made on this tumblr with the title of the class and the link to the class. TA's and students will be tagged. Classes themself are in google docs, and will include a written lecture, links to relevant sources for you to look at, homework instructions, and information about any and all upcoming tests. Furthermore, you will be added to a whatsapp group for each class you take, so that you can have classmate interaction. Even if you never message these groups, it's important to keep track of them so you know who your classmates are for group or duo assignments. And you might even make some friends!
What does a TA do? Can I become a TA?
If you're a witch with moderate to professional experience and knowledge, and you have the time and energy, you can sign up to be a TA when you sign up for classes. Signing up to be a TA doesn't nessicarily mean you will be a TA. You cannot be a TA for a class you are taking, and being a TA will not have any affect on your grades, the rules, or anything of the sort. All TA's (just like all teachers) are volunteers and get no pay.
What are the rules? What happens if I break a rule?
The rules are fairly simple: be kind to eachother, do the homework, read the lesson, make the tests. Of course, not being able to follow lessons is sometimes something that can happen, and we'll gladly discuss a solution. There is no rule against cheating or using AI, because there isn't really a point in cheating or using AI. You're here to learn, failing a Term will do no damage to your normal daily life, and as much as this is set up as a school, it's more of a community. That being said, cheating and using AI is still heavily discouraged, and if something is recognisibly AI it will likely get a lower grade. It's also against the rules to put homework/test answers anywhere that others might see it, unless they've specifically asked for it. That includes comment sections, whatsapp groupapps, etc. If you cheat or use AI, there will probably be a conversation as to why you did so, but there are no negative consequences. Not being able to follow lessons or putting answers somewhere other can see them will get you a conversation and probably a warning. If you have two or more warnings in one Term, you will be expelled. If you behave judgemental, bigoted, or discriminatory towards another student, a TA, or a teacher, you will recieve one warning before being expelled.
Expelled!? What does being expelled entail?
Being expelled isn't quite as much of a big deal as you probably think it is. Being expelled simply means that you are dropped from all classes for the Term, and you will not be able to complete, and therefor pass, the Term. Your information will still be kept, and you can sign up again for classes next Term. Of course, if you want to graduate, you'll have to redo the Term another year. You can only get expelled once per year though. If you've done something to warrant expulsion a second time in one calendar year, you will be banned, which is much more severe. Being banned means that you will be unable to sign up for classes ever again, and your tumblr account will be blocked.
What information exactly does the Witches' School keep on me?
Only the information you filled in when you enrolled. That includes your name, email adress, phone number, and tumblr, among a few other things. Most of which will be deleted once you graduate. Feel free to request more details about what information we have on you! It isn't like this is a corporation or even a business that might sell out your information, or use it for targeted ads. This is a community effort run primarily by one person.
So, where do I enroll?
Right here! By enrolling, you're also signing up for the school newspaper, which will be sent to your email once per Term. You're also agreeing to stick to the rules mentioned above, and to be tagged for your classes, get added to the whatsapp group(s), etc.