Shin'ō Academy

The academy was founded approximately 2700 years ago. It is not under the direct control of Central 46.

The Academy was once called the Shinigami Academy. It was then changed to the Spiritual Arts Academy when it developed into an institute for the next generation of the Kidō Corps and the Onmitsukidō, as well as the Shinigami of the Gotei 13. However, it is still referred to as Shinigami Academy in Rukongai. Due to the coalition forming and the creation of the Gotei United, where all three sects have become one. It now serves as an instutute to create the next generation of shinigami for the Soul Society as a whole.

The Academy is a sprawling, multiple story building with architecture similar to that of Seireitei. It has an open courtyard, many classrooms, dormitories and practice areas for Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.

Eligibility: Applicants to the academy must pass an entrance exam in order to be admitted, and likely must demonstrate that they have some reiatsu. The entrance exam is open to any and all who wish to apply. The social classes of the applicants can range from nobles and residents of the more hospitable districts of Rukongai to its more barbaric outer regions.

The results of the entrance exam are used to divide up the successful applicants into different classes, with those who obtain the highest grades being placed in the first class. At the start of the academic year, there is a welcoming ceremony for the new students. If an applicant fails the exam, it may be taken again.

Curriculum: The Academy's curriculum is taught over six years, though exceptionally gifted students have been known to graduate from the academy in less time than this. In addition to a more general education, the pupils are taught how to control and make use of their reiatsu, as well as the four major Shinigami combat forms: Hakuda, Hohō, Kidō, and Zanjutsu.

Students also learn how to perform Soul Burials, how to communicate with the spirit of their Zanpakutō and are prepared for the general duties of a Shinigami. Upon completing the Academy's curriculum, a student will then be given the option of joining a division within the Gotei United, though some may wish to pursue other avenues such as the Rukongai's Police Force, Sakutaiso.

In addition, due to the sweeping reforms of Captain Commander Abalia Kyoraku-Hayden, the curriculum is modified to also provide souls an opportunity to pursue more scholastic approaches beyond the ways of the Shinigami, such as exploration of subjects such as history and the worlds to encourage independent thinking and development. As a result the curriculum is quite mixed.

Headmaster: Jushiro Ukitake [Tentatively].
Teachers: Below is a list of notable teachers, whether volunteers or actively engaged in the Academy workings full-time. Their classes and roles are given a brief summary.

Asami Furukawa
Instructor for Hakuda. Her classes tend to be low-level and focus on teaching first years with extra classes for other struggling students. She can cover for other subjects, with the exception of Kidō, but tends to avoid taking extra classes lest it impacts her work as part of Gotei United's Fifth Division.

Gengorō Ōnabara
Chief Instructor for Class #1: the special accelerated class. Those of exceptional talent and aptitude will find themselves placed within this class, it tackles far more advanced topics and will typically have shinigami come out above average by the end of their tenure.

Henrex Astillon
Primarily a Zanjutsu teacher. He can take on various instruction levels of Zanjutsu, as well as cover for other subjects with the exception of Hakuda, but he primarily focuses on his biggest strength.

Hisana
A Hollow Studies Teacher at the Academy. This class focuses on information regarding hollows, their behaviours, the abilities they employ, and other information on how to deal with and handle Hollow interactions based on her experience in Hueco Mundo. Hisana also offers an Advanced Class on Hueco Mundo itself and Menos-Level Hollows.

Liana Unohana
An instructor of multiple fields, Liana fills a substitute role with her flexible skillset and runs numerous specialist courses though she is notably found within the kidō courses as the Former Captain of the Second Division.

Makoto Arima
Instructor for Zanjutsu and general subjects. General subjects mostly include konso, using hell butterflies and shinigami expectations. Her Zanjutsu courses involve both jinzen tutoring and more practical sword styles.

Rukia Kuchiki
Instructor for Kidō, her classes vary from more advanced subjects and accelerated classes in addition to more general ones. Rarely found outside of the Kidō field due to only being part-time due to her extra duties As Captain of the Gotei United's Second Division.

Shishiyuki Koizumi
Instructor for Hakuda. Her classes tend to be more generic with the occasional advanced class. She is held in high regard for the quality of teaching she does however rarely receives praise for it. She serves as the Vice Captain of the Seventh Division of the Gotei United and is consistent.

Tento Zefa
Tento is a new staff member/volunteer who offers aid as a teaching aid, mission monitoring, or substitute teacher. He is pretty much around to fill in holes as they come. He offers beginner classes in Kidō, Hakuda, Hoho, and combat with the aim to aid in making sure they are the Gotei standard as fresh members with solid foundations.

Members:

1st year student - Hiroe Miyashiro
1st year student - Kiyotsumi
1st year student - Morikawa Mika
1st year student - Saint Ajora
2nd year student - Kaito Tomoyuki
2nd year student - Nanashi Gombei
3rd year student(?) - Emelie Anderson.
3rd year student(?) - Shiroi.
6th year student - Nami Miura

Graduates:

Kasumiōji, Eri.
Koizumi, Kasha.
Sawachika, Kyo.