This of course, is not to mention Ye’s other controversial allusions to Christianity, such as his 2013 album, “Yeezus” (which featured a song titled, “I Am a God”). While these are comparisons many would consider profane, the artist has made waves in recent years for his promotion of Christianity and his apparent transformation into a believer.
He made headlines in 2019, 2020, and 2021 for his “Sunday services,” events that featured gospel music, sermons and church leaders who included Joel Osteen, Rich Wilkerson Jr. and Adam Tyson. The Sunday services were not without criticism, however. Anti-Christian shock rocker Marilyn Manson, who has been accused of sexual abuse, also appeared at one of them.
In 2019, West released “Jesus Is King,” an album that broke records on Christian and gospel music charts and which was nominated for three Dove Awards. References to faith appeared on West’s 2021 album, “Donda,” which was named after his late mother and influenced by gospel music.
Ye is paying tribute to his mother once again with Donda Academy, a private Christian school he has opened in Simi Valley, California. Donda’s website advertises a 10 to 1 student/teacher ratio and 12 students per class. The school says it offers classes to students in pre-K through 12th grade, although the California Department of Education lists the range as pre-K through 8th grade. “Each day, Donda students learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes,” says the site, which states that the mission of the school is “to be a reflection of God’s glory in the world.”
The educational experience includes “full worship,” “core classes of language arts, math and science,” and enrichment classes that include parkour. There is also an opportunity to apply to join a gospel choir; the school’s basketball team has recruited some of the top high school players in the country.
Controversy surrounds Donda Academy, however, as administrators have not been forthcoming in regard to media requests for information about the school. Rolling Stone reports that parents of students have been required to sign confidentiality agreements for their children to attend.
Tamara Andrews, a consultant for Donda Academy, told Rolling Stone, “Honestly, we don’t care if people know about the school. The people that want to come to the school are looking for a good Christian school in that area and they know that we’re there…there is also a certain notoriety that comes with being affiliated with Donda. So, I don’t know that we have to advertise, which is a blessing and a curse.”
Andrews said the school is not yet accredited, although it has applied for accreditation, and that there are 16 full-time teachers with a current enrollment of just under 100 students.
In addition to the school’s lack of accreditation and the lack of information about it, some have found it odd that Ye founded a school when he recently said on a podcast that he had never read a book, adding, “Reading is like eating brussel sprouts for me.”
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Donda Academy for comment and will update this article in the event of a reply.
