Donda Academy to Close for the Remainder of the 2022-2023 School Year Amid Kanye West Backlash

Effective immediately, Donda Academy will be closed for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year amid the backlash Kanye West is receiving due to controversial statements he recently made about the Jewish community.

Parents received an email from the school’s principal, Jason Angell, on Wednesday that said, “at the discretion of our Founder, Donda Academy will close for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year, effective immediately.”

The email added, “THERE IS NO SCHOOL TOMORROW.”

West established the Christian preparatory private school in Simi Valley, California, bearing his late mother’s name.

According to its website, the tuition-based school aspired to “prepare students to become the next generation of leaders.”

“Each day, Donda students learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes,” the website read, while the daily schedule included “full school worship, Core classes of language arts, math, and science, lunch & recess, enrichment courses including World Language, Visual Art, Film, Choir, and Parkour.”

The admissions page states that everyone is invited to apply, regardless of financial position, despite the school’s annual fee of $15,000. For students who meet the requirements, financial aid and scholarships are offered.

It was recently reported by RollingStone that two families who had children at Donda Academy had to sign NDAs.

However, a consultant for Donda said that the parents only had to sign “an informal agreement.”

On Wednesday, a high school tournament said that Donda Academy’s team would not be participating.

The decision was made in response to weeks of controversial remarks from the rapper, though he has denied using racist or antisemitic slurs.