Like at Hogwarts: "School 800" has launched a house system.

      October 13, 2025 13:46 Society

      In the new school year at Nizhny Novgorod’s "School 800," an original educational initiative has started — a system of faculties. Its goal is to provide conditions for students’ personal growth and help them practice making conscious choices, independence and responsibility.

      The idea and principles of the faculties were formulated by the students themselves from all of School 800’s campuses following extensive discussion and voting. The project includes students in grades 5–8. At its core is the concept of "Freedom," understood as choice coupled with responsibility. It is expressed through four directions: "Mind" (freedom of thought), "Heart" (freedom of feelings), "Flight" (freedom of action) and "Choice" (freedom of choice).

      As the school explained, each direction corresponds to a separate faculty. Students are assigned randomly: children learn their faculty by the color of a wristband. Each community has a name, a legend, a color, a symbol, a motto and its own meeting place.

      The faculties are overseen by mentors — curators and tutors — who support the students’ initiatives and help them reflect on the experience gained. A ranking system operates throughout the year: points are awarded for individual and team achievements. At the end of the school year the winning faculty receives a cup, and the most active student is awarded the title "Flagship of the Faculty."

      Alena Morozova, Director for Educational Work at ANO "School 800," noted that students see a resemblance to Hogwarts in the new model, but the key difference is the conscious reinterpretation of the classic "houses" system to meet the needs of modern children. In her words, the project is filled with the school’s values — openness, the culture of choice and dignity — and represents a unique experience for the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      The initiative is based on a program for developing the experience of conscious choice. Students try themselves in different roles and activities and record the results in a special "experience card." This allows them to analyze the consequences of their own decisions and build a personal development trajectory.

      The school considers the faculty system a practical tool for unlocking each participant’s potential. It is expected to help students develop critical thinking, initiative and responsibility — qualities in demand in the modern world.

      Recall that in the spring NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" published an interview with the director of ANO "School 800," Mark Sartan. The first part can be read here, the second part — here.

      NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed about the main events, exclusive materials and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is required. This resource may contain 18+ materials.