Donda Academy

Donda Academy
Address
Map
1625 Tierra Rejada Road

Simi Valley, California
93065

United States
Coordinates34°16′16″N 118°49′51″W / 34.27111°N 118.83083°W / 34.27111; -118.83083
Information
TypePrivate school
MottoTo be a reflection of God's glory in the world
FounderKanye West
PrincipalMoira Love
GradesPK–12
Student to teacher ratio10:1
MascotDoves
Team nameDonda Doves
Tuition$15,000
Websitedonda.org

Donda Academy was an unaccredited Christian private school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, located in Simi Valley, California, United States. It was founded in 2022 by American rapper Kanye West. During the admissions and hiring process, parents, faculty and staff are required to comply with the following stipulations: a non-disclosure agreement must be signed, the school's location must be kept secret and all members of the school community must refrain from publicly discussing the school's existence, practices and any other non-public details.[1] All students, faculty and staff are required to adhere to the school dress code of black Balenciaga uniforms designed by West.[2][3]

On October 27, 2022, it was reported that the school had closed "abruptly" after West made antisemitic comments in interviews and on social media.[2][1] It was reopened hours later. Donda Academy is currently listed as closed by the California Department of Education.

History

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In September 2022, West revealed that he opened a Christian private school named Donda Academy after his late mother Donda West,[4] on the site of the defunct Simi Valley Stoneridge Preparatory School.[5] Rolling Stone was told that parents are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement to register their children.[6] The founding executive director was Brianne Campbell, a Masters student at Pepperdine University, who resigned because of Kanye West's anti-semitic statements.[7] A 2023 lawsuit states that the principal is Moira Love.[8] The school enrolled about 100 students and employs 16 teachers, with a number of celebrities' children in attendance.[9] West's four children with Kim Kardashian do not attend the school; they attend Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles instead.[10]

In October 2022, Tamar Andrews, a Jewish educator who worked at the academy, resigned after West's antisemitic comments.[11]

On October 27, 2022, the school notified parents that it had canceled the remainder of the 2022–23 school year and would reopen at the beginning of the 2023–24 school year.[2][12] Hours later, the school notified parents that the school would reopen on October 28, 2022.[13][14] On the same day, singer Keyshia Cole pulled her son out of the school.[15] When a fan asked on Twitter if she had signed an NDA, Cole responded, "And there was no NDA signed. Idk who may have but that wasn't brought up to us."[15]

Two former teachers filed a lawsuit against the school in April 2023, alleging that they were unjustly fired without any reason after complaining of health and safety violations.[16][8] The teachers allege that the academy had unusual rules and requirements. Crossword puzzles, coloring sheets, utensils, and chairs were disallowed. Students could not wear jewelry and clothing made by Nike and Adidas. No color or artwork was allowed in classrooms, and all cups and bowls were required to be gray. West did not allow classes on the second floor of the school building because of a fear of stairs.[16] Students were only allowed to eat sushi on the floor, as the school did not have tables; outside food was disallowed.[8] There were no janitorial services and no school nurse; West banned the use of cleaning chemicals and trash cans, and one student's EpiPen was stored above a microwave.[8]

Academics

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The school curriculum includes Christianity, language arts, mathematics, and science. It also includes enrichment courses, such as world languages, the visual arts, film, choir, and parkour. The school has a 10:1 ratio of students to teachers, and no class exceeds 12 students.[17]

The school has not sought accreditation by the private Western Association of Schools and Colleges,[18] as private schools in California are not required to be accredited or licensed, though they do have to register with the state.[19]

Basketball team

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The school's basketball team is named the Donda Doves.[20] The team was featured on the January 2022 cover of Slam, a basketball-focused publication.[21] In order of appearance, the players who appeared on the cover along with West were Bryce Baker, Brandon White, Jalen Hooks, Chuck Bailey III, Javonte "JJ" Taylor, Jahki Howard, Robert Dillingham, Seven Bahati, Braeden Moore, Omarion Bodrick, and Zion Cruz.[21]

Their inaugural game was held in February 2022 at the Credit Union 1 Arena, playing against Chicago Prep.[22] The Doves won the game 85–62.[22]

The team was scheduled to appear at the Hoophall Classic and Kentucky Play-By-Play Classic showcases in 2022, but the invitations were rescinded in late October.[23] ESPN rated player Robert Dillingham number 8 on their ESPN 100 list; speculation surrounding Dillingham continuing with the team began in late October after West's antisemitic remarks, the abrupt school closure and reopening, and the showcases being rescinded resulted in a "fallout" for the school.[23][24] Dillingham later left Donda Academy to play for the Cold Hearts team in the Overtime Elite.

After the showcase invitations were canceled, players JJ Taylor (small forward) and Chuck Bailey III (reserve guard) left the school, with Taylor transferring to San Ysidro High School.[25]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b Southern, Kieran (October 27, 2022). "Kanye West's school Donda Academy closes as controversy grows". The Times. Los Angeles.
  2. ^ a b c Porterfield, Carlie (October 27, 2022). "Kanye West's Donda Academy Shutters Suddenly After Businesses Drop Him Over Antisemitism". Forbes.
  3. ^ Shaw, A.R. (October 27, 2022). "Kanye West's Donda Academy Closes Following Rapper's Controversial Remarks". Atlanta Daily World.
  4. ^ Arnold, Chuck (September 16, 2022). "Inside Kanye West's mysterious Donda Academy school: 'full' worship, NDAs, celebrity children and no accreditation". New York Post. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Adams, Biba (September 24, 2021). "Kanye West to open school, Donda Academy, outside Los Angeles: report". TheGrio.
  6. ^ Roundtree, Cheyenne (September 16, 2022). "What the Hell Is Going on at Kanye West's Mysterious New Private School?". Rolling Stone.
  7. ^ Tangalakis-Lippert, Katherine (October 22, 2022). "For $15k and a signed NDA, students at Kanye West's unaccredited Donda Academy start the day with 'full school worship' before parkour enrichment classes". Insider. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  8. ^ a b c d Martinez, Christian (2023-04-07). "Sushi for lunch again: Teachers allege disturbing conditions at Kanye West's Donda Academy in new lawsuit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  9. ^ Mahadevan, Tara (September 16, 2022). "New Report on Kanye West's Donda Academy Reveals Parents Are Asked to Sign NDAs". Complex.
  10. ^ Smith, Ryan (October 27, 2022). "Kanye West's Donda Academy Faced Trouble Before Sudden Closure". Newsweek. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  11. ^ Brown, Evan Nicole (October 24, 2022). "Jewish Educator Resigns From Donda Academy Amid Kanye West's Antisemitic Comments". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ "Kanye West Shuts Down Donda Academy". TMZ. October 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Kanye West's Donda Academy Opens Again Just Hours After Announcing Shut Down". TMZ. October 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Adams, Matt (October 27, 2022). "The status of Ye's Donda Academy is unclear after uproar over his antisemitic remarks". NPR.
  15. ^ a b Devin (October 28, 2022). "Keyshia Cole Takes Son Out Of Donda Academy After Kanye West's Shooting Comments". Rap Up.
  16. ^ a b Skinner, Paige (April 7, 2023). "Former Donda Academy Teachers Are Suing Kanye West Because The School Was Allegedly Unsafe And The Kids Were Only Allowed To Eat Sushi". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  17. ^ Dawson, Shannon (September 16, 2022). "Donda Academy: What We Know About Ye's Top-Secret Private School". NewsOne. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Truffaut-Wong, Olivia (October 12, 2022). "What's the Deal With Donda Academy?". The Cut. Vox Media. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "California State Regulations -- Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE)". www2.ed.gov. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  20. ^ Smith, Ryan (September 16, 2022). "What We Know About Kanye West's Donda Doves School Basketball Team". Newsweek.
  21. ^ a b Smith, Deyscha (January 24, 2022). "Decidedly Different: Ye and Donda Academy Cover SLAM 236". SLAM. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Villa, Adan (February 14, 2022). "Donda Academy creates headlines in Chicago". Wildcat Chronicle.
  23. ^ a b Borzello, Jeff; Givony, Jonathan (October 27, 2022). "Ye's Donda Academy dropped from hoops events amid reports of closure". ESPN. ABC News. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  24. ^ Marcum, Jason (October 27, 2022). "Donda Academy in flux; what's next for Robert Dillingham?". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Peter, Josh (October 29, 2022). "Donda Academy out of basketball season opener in Minnesota as fifth tournament drops school". USA Today.
  26. ^ Cyphers, Luke (16 December 2022). "Kanye West Donda Debacle Divides a Kentucky Hoops Signee's Family". Sportico.com.
  27. ^ Karamanos, Alex (2022-08-11). "BREAKING: 2023 4-Star AJ Johnson will transfer to Donda Academy (CA)". Circuit Scouting. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
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