I like the tone of the original post, is that the sort of vibe you're sticking with? In terms of humour etc.? Potentially interested!
I definitely like a more lighthearted vibe, so you can expect that to stick around.
Regarding differences from the original:
I'm in pretty early planning stages, I also don't remember how much of the plot was common knowledge. So I might spoil some of the original idea on accident here, but I'm kind of gutting the plot(sorry @Maiden of Mist if you turn up to see this) to make it more my style.
A few changes I'm specifically considering:
Originally the students were going to arrive to discover that they are alone, cannot escape, and the school is much more sinister than expected. I don't think they will be completely alone in my version. There will be some kind of authority, but it might just be a handful of priestesses or something of the like. There probably won't be formal classes in the way you would expect from a typical academy roleplay, regardless.
I'm also toying with the idea of putting the academy in a more populated location, instead of in an inaccessible middle-of-nowhere. But I also have some #reasons why I might not, it depends on where I land on a few internal plot details.
If there is a town or whatever, your character would be forbidden from it and would have to sneak out, for which there may very well be consequences.
If you have preferences about setting, plot, or themes, or even suggestions, this is a good time to bring them up, when I haven't solidified anything yet.
By that same token, though: I'm not 100% in on this yet, I want to have my plot nice and straight in my mind and I just don't yet. Not trying to put a damper on things, I just don't want to get people excited just to disappoint them.