The current Paths that can be chosen are the following:

Path of the Cow: The cow is a motherly figure in Indian culture, fullfiling the needs of her children. As such, she is the first to accept all newcomers, every student spending at least their first year on her course. Those who choose to remain on her Path are kind, sensitive figures whose empathy is only matched by their strong will and dutifullness. Here one can learn the art of healing and tending to nature and animals, but don't be fooled to think the followers of the Cow are weak or passive.

Path of the Monkey: Monkeys are figures associated with the god Hanuman, one of central figures of the epic Ramayana and a loyal friend to the hero Rama. Those who choose this path are as loyal as their inspiration, being intelligent, fierce and ready to face everything life throws at them. Those who venture on the Path of the Monkey dedicate themselves to polish their spellcasting to perfection, given the course's heavy focus on charms and transfiguration. It is also said the best wandmakers from India were all followers of the Monkey.

Path of the Snake: Snakes are a cyclic symbol in Indian culture, being associated with rebirth and eternity as well as death and destruction, following the creation-preservation-destruction cycle of the world. Those who follow the Path of the Snake are wise, quiet, perceptive individuals with a keen understanding and respect for the ways of the world. This course has an interesting focus in material, physical schools of magic such as alchemy, potion brewing, item creation and magitek, as well as other, higher mysteries.

Path of the Elephant: Symbols of mental strength, earthiness and responsibility, and the figure of a perfect discipline willing to listen patiently, recognize truth, discern good from evil and digest all of both that life can bring. As such, those who opt for the Path of the Elephant are usually inclined to an academic nature, showing patience and dedication to go with their insatiable curiosity. This course is dedicate to mostly theoretical and complicated fields such as astronomy, divination and higher rituals.

Path of the Tiger: The Tiger is one of the national animals of India, and thought to possess the combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power. The Path of the Tiger is a difficult one to walk, chosen by those who are determined, focused and proud of their abilities. It is a combat-focused Path with the objective to bring one's body, mind and magic as close as possibly to perfection.

New students enter the open courtyard of the main building and it is here that they are sorted. An enchanted waterfall flows into the courtyard from the cliff above. To enter the interior of the main building, one must pass through the waterfall, but no worries, the enchantment makes certain that no one gets wet! As each new student passes through the waterfall, an image, much like a hologram, is revealed on the curtain of water. Each image reveals one of the mascots for Verdale’s houses.

Verdale has four houses, each contained in a separate building and each building being unique. Fenkin house is an octagonal building with the common room in the very center. Their common room houses a large fireplace. The house of Cavalier is very much like a traditional castle, with enchanted suits of armor to guard the door. In a building of greenish-blue stone beside the meeting of one of the larger waterfalls and the river lies Typhoon house, with a bridge leading into the common room which has an enchanted floor to mimic the look of the river flowing through the building. The fourth house is Ethereal, an airy tower with a glittering silver staircase that twines in, out, and through the entire structure.

Fenkin house, represented by the flame fox (Kasai Kitsune), is home to those who are cunning, feisty, and mischievous. Given to a bit of aloofness at times, this house has nonetheless turned out potion masters, aurors, and those who have a respect but not a fear for dangerous occupations. Much like knights of old, Cavalier house are the loyal, study and dependable students. They are willing to work hard and get the job done at all costs. Friendships made with a Cavalier, whose symbol is a two headed mythical dog (Orthros), are friendships that will be honored for life. Like their mascot the sea-goat, Typhoons are a complicated and seemingly contradictory mix, but actually well-rounded as a whole. They are both grounded and practical, but also have a sensitive and creative side that allows them to excel at nearly anything they set their mind to master. The final house is that of Ethereal, the winged horse. These students love truth, beauty, and knowledge as well as freedom. They are artistic and creative but can be free spirits and rather high-strung at times.

Each of the four houses wears a robe with their own special colors. The robes are a solid color with the trim being in another color. Fenkin robes are orange with red trim; Cavaliers wear green robes with russet trim; the robes of Typhoon are purple while the trim is an iridescent opal; Ethereal students dress in pale blue with royal blue trim.

As each house also represents one of the main four elements…fire, earth, water, and air/wind/sky…with their mascots and colors, so too does Verdale Magical Academy seek to instill not only a respect for nature, but also for each other in their students. Background and lineage are not the focus at Verdale but rather growing and maturing in ones magic. Just as nature and the elements work with each other, so too do the staff at Verdale’s seek to teach their students harmony that will keep them balanced throughout their lives.

The incoming wizards are sorted into their houses with the help of an ancient Carp (Koi). It has the ability to change it’s aura depending on who is in front of it. Like the sorting house of Hogwarts, the Carp is able to gather feelings/auras/intention of a person. Once it has when it needs it will choose the house it feels the wizard will excell in.

The butterfly is a symbol of spirits (the souls of both the living and the dead) so the house is called Seishin. The wizards who belong to this house normally excel in potions, transfiguration, and anything that involves the changing of one thing to another.

The frog symbolizes good luck, and is found in a lot of art. The students in this house will normally be good with growing things or taking care of animals. They are more intune with the earth and have good fortune telling abilities. This house is called Chikyū.

The last is the house Chishiki, the frog, which symbolizes complex beings. It is claimed that they help hold up the world. The wizards in this house tend to do well with academics in general. They are smart and ambitious who like learning. They will be the leaders someday.