A fantasy series about people in training to control elements?

SOLVED!

This was a series of either 5 or 6 books. The covers were Art Deco style and was probably published in the 90’s/2000s? I’m fairly sure the author was a woman but not positive on that. It is not Mercedes Lackey, Shannon Hale, or Jim Butcher.

There are 5 protagonists who have the ability to control the elements water, air, fire, earth and spirit as the 5th. They are training at a special academy to become the next group of masters or something along those lines. The trainees come from different backgrounds, (farmer, aristocracy, etc) which also contributes to lots of tension in the books as they learn about how each other used to live, and they are all placed in one house while they are training.

There is a hint of romance in the books and also some mystery thrown in.

Thanks for your help!