The Four Founders
The legendary witches and wizards who established America's first school of magic in 1793
House Grizzleheart
Green & Silver
Element: Earth
Gretchen Grizzleheart
January 8, 1754 - December 20, 1840 • American (Lenape heritage)
Known as "the mother of the motherless," Gretchen established the orphanage that became Eaglesclaw. Influenced by her mother's Native American background (Delaware Indians, the Lenape), she believed in making the most of nature and living off the land.
She made a habit of adopting orphaned witches and wizards and eventually established an orphanage which became the foundation of Eaglesclaw School. Her pet bear named Reginald Fuzzybottom accompanied her everywhere and remained with her to the end of her days. Gretchen was particularly gifted in the arts of potions, herbology, and care of magical creatures.
Students sorted into Grizzleheart are known for their loyalty, their connection to nature, and their fierce protection of those they love.
House Lammasador
Red & Gold
Element: Fire
Leopold Lammasador
July 27, 1753 - March 2, 1850 • American
Leopold fought alongside George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. He was gifted in battle strategy, highly intelligent, and believed in careful planning as the key to success.
He spoke a total of 32 different languages (from both the wizarding world and the muggle world) and valued reading and studiousness above all else. Leopold established the first American Wizarding School classes of History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Students sorted into Lammasador are known for their scholarly nature, their courage in leadership, and their dedication to honor and duty.
House Merdock
Blue & Bronze
Element: Water
Madora Merdock
March 12, 1754 - April 30, 1844 • Spanish
Hailing from Spain, Madora was an avid traveler and adventurer who traveled the world in a ship she commanded and saw most of the globe, both known and uncharted.
She eventually fell in love with and married the famous American wizard Connor Merdock, whose name is in invisible wizarding ink on the Declaration of Independence, indicating the Colonial Wizards as supporting their muggle counterparts in the struggle for independence. Madora used the immense wealth amassed from her travels to help turn Gretchen's orphanage into the first American School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was fascinated with divination, world mythologies, orienteering, arithmancy, and astronomy.
Students sorted into Merdock are known for their spirit of adventure, their bravery in exploring the unknown, and their belief that children learn best through exploration.
House Snowbeak
Grey & Platinum
Element: Air
Sebastian Snowbeak
February 4, 1754 - November 16, 1838 • Scottish
Sebastian became an animagus outlaw in Europe, preferring to live a solitary life hunting, writing philosophy and poetry, and communing with nature. He believed in the inherent goodness of both people and nature.
He eventually sought passage to the New World and influenced a muggle by the name of Thomas Paine before connecting with his old friends, Grizzleheart and Lammasador, from Hogwarts. In the New World, Sebastian was a successful fur trader, businessman, and avid writer. His favorite place was the Common Foyer at Eaglesclaw. His work eventually became influential in establishing the U.S. Department of Magic in Washington, DC. He was particularly skilled at Quidditch, charms, and transfiguration.
Students sorted into Snowbeak are known for their independence, their philosophical nature, and their belief that true community can only be formed from truly self-reliant individuals.
The Sorting Ceremony
When you attend Eaglesclaw School of Wizardry, you'll participate in our magical Sorting Ceremony. Through a series of questions and challenges, our enchanted sorting system will determine which house best matches your unique qualities and values.
Which House Will Choose You?
Will you join the loyal and nurturing Grizzleheart? The noble and scholarly Lammasador? The adventurous and brave Merdock? Or the wise and resourceful Snowbeak?
There is no "best" house—each one values different qualities, and all are essential to the Eaglesclaw community.
Experience the Full Sorting
Book Eaglesclaw School of Wizardry for your organization and let kids experience the complete sorting ceremony and house experience!