Located deep within the rainforest of Brazil, Castelobruxo acts as the main wizarding school for students all over South America, with a nice exchange program set up for European students as well. Despite the intense heat and humidity of the location, the school has a lot to offer, especially if you wish to specialize in Herbology or Magizoology.
The buildings themselves are rather grand, resembling an Aztec temple, if you will, hewn straight from golden bricks. But like Hogwarts, it has taken great pains to hide its grandeur from the prying eyes of outsiders. If a Muggle were to happen upon it, all they would see would be a pile of ruins-rubble of ancient bricks and decaying wood.
Such was the case of one Aston Channing, a young English photographer who stumbled upon the 'ruins' during a photo shoot for the historical magazine which employed him. Certain that he would find something worthwhile in the debris, he braved the rough terrain and insects that seemed set to deter him at every turn. He was a rather ambitious sort, as Muggles tend to go, but in the end, all he got for his pains were a broken ankle and the loss of employment.
Caipora
To further safeguard their privacy, the school employs the use caipora to protect both the school buildings and the area surrounding them. Caipora are small, furry, spirit-beings who are known for their spirit of trickery and mischief. Working under the cover of darkness, the caipora patrol, protecting the residences of Castelobruxo, as well as the animals of the forest. So successful are they in their efforts that former Headmistress Benedita Dourado offered to loan some to Hogwart's Headmaster, Armando Dippet after he complained to her about Peeves. The offer was declined.
The students wear robes of bright green, not unlike Hogwart's Slytherin House. The attributes Castelobruxo looks for in prospective students is fortitude, ingenuity, and bravery, as well as magical ability. They pride themselves on providing a hands-on learning experience for their students, and the rainforest environment is not always the most forgiving. Weekly excursions to study the various flora, fauna, and wildlife would be quite detrimental to anyone not up to undertaking such rigorous physical activity. These trips sometimes last for several days, though rest assured, they are carefully monitored by the staff!
The school boasts several famous alumni, including Libatius Borage, a world-renowned potioneer and author. Mr. Borage is responsible for such classics as Advanced Potion-Making, Asiatic Anti-Venoms, and Have Yourself a Fiesta in a Bottle! João Coelho, Captain of the world-renowned Quidditch team the Tarapoto Tree- Skimmers, can also boast that he is a graduate of Castelobruxo. In fact, he is quite vocal about his admiration for the school, and is known for breaking into the school song after a victory on the Quidditch pitch. Now that, folks, is school pride!
Bill Weasley would have liked nothing more than to claim his place in the records of the school, and had applied (and been accepted) as an exchange student. However, the Weasley fortune being what it was, his parents could not afford the trip, and thus he never got the chance. Poor Bill, in addition to being distraught over the heartbreaking news, was dealt the double blow of losing a friend over the matter. The Castelobruxo student who was to exchange with him was quite irate, and sent Bill several threatening owls, as well as a package filled with beetle dung and spider spit. He was subsequently expelled as a result, and rumour has it that he ended up becoming a down-and-out magician for hire at parties for Muggle children. You know what they say about karma, right?!