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Kayne West.JPG 1.JPG
Reuters
Kayne West.JPG
Reuters
Entertainment

Kayne West opens private Christian school and forces parents to sign NDAs

by Alex Collett

US rapper Kayne West has opened up his own private Christian preparatory where parents must sign non-disclosure agreements.

The rapper's DONDA Academy in Simi Valley California, named after his late mother, aims to create "life long learners and Christ followers" where children are taught to "grow in their faith."
The school reportedly opened in August to 100 pupils aged five to 18, but is shrouded in mystery as those sending their children there are barred from speaking about it

The school's website says the institution aims "to be a reflection of God's Glory in the world". 

A focus for the school is its Gospel choir program, understood to be tied into West's exclusive Sunday service gatherings. 
"We are looking for kids who love to sing and lift up the name of Jesus to audition for the DONDA Academy Gospel Choir," the school's website reads.

"At this time, we will only be auditioning children ranging from 2nd Grade to rising 12th Graders for the 2022-2023 School Year."

According to Rolling Stone, the school's head teacher Brianne Campbell leads the choir.

The institution's syllabus also includes visual arts, film, choir, basketball and parkour - a form of exercise that typically involves running, climbing and vaulting with graceful, fluid motions from one point to another. 

Less typical courses include fashion, Japanese and restorative justice instruction.

The rapper shared on his Instagram page the school uniforms, designed in collaboration with Gap and his clothing brand Yeezy. 

Kanye's Instagram post shows students wearing oversized black T-shirts with angel wings printed on the back and black trousers.

Malik Yusef, a producer and long-time collaborator of West's, told Rolling Stone: "This man always wanted to create a school in his mama's name.

"Look at what we're doing with the choir and the fashion in school  I don't think there's a venture capitalist or anybody that's had a vision this clear on what education can look like for you."
 

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