Classes at Kanye West’s Donda Academy, named after his late mother, will include; Parkour, Christian choir and various other ‘enrichment’ lessons, plus the standard maths, English, arts and sciences.
In many ways Kanye West has been educating us all for years. He taught us that even the most criticised reality TV star can rise through the social ranks to star on the cover of Vogue. He taught us that, once you’ve called your first child North, you don’t have to continue clockwise through the other compass points for the following three children. He taught us that not every thought needs to be broadcast through the medium of Twitter. He taught us never to take a mic off Taylor Swift.
Ok ok, jokes aside, he has taught us a lot about music, as anyone who is an avid follower of hip hop will agree that his is a master of his craft. He also taught me personally that we can all vocally celebrate our faith and love of Jesus, exactly where we’re at - even in the brokenness and mire of our circumstances. Well now, Kanye plans on teaching a lot more people a lot more things, as he’s opened a school.
That’s right, Donda Academy, named after his late mum who had a solid faith in Jesus, is a private Christian school for children ages five to 18. The Californian academy will have just 12 children in each class and as well as offering the standard maths, English, sciences and arts classes, pupils will learn parkour and will join a Christian choir.
They say: “Everyone is welcome to apply regardless of financial situation.” And it’s believed half the current cohort have access to financial assistance or scholarships.
The school, which opened its doors to its first 100 students in August, insists that its Yeezy-uniformed attendees sign non-disclosure agreements, so insider info is thin on the ground. But it’s thought that an education with Kanye will cost $15,000 per annum – that’s £13k. Although the website says: “Everyone is welcome to apply regardless of financial situation.” And it’s believed that around half the current cohort have access to financial assistance or scholarships.
The school has a basket ball team called the Donda Doves and a huge draw is the Christian choir, which is connected to Kanye’s Sunday services. And when it comes to faith, it seems it’s central to the school’s vision. On their website they say: “Donda students grow in their faith and community through daily all-school worship and celebration at Sunday Service.”
They want students “to be a reflection of God’s glory in the world”.
They also specify that they want students “to be a reflection of God’s glory in the world”. The full mission statement says that they want to build: “The next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators by providing them with a world-class education that includes a rigorous core curriculum, and an emphasis on sustainability, creativity, critical thinking and problem solving… using an ethic of integrity and care.”
Reckon they would notice that I am a touch older than 18 if I tried to enrol?
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