UPDATED 10/28, 9:20 a.m. ET: Following an initial report claiming the artist formerly known as Kanye West’s Donda Academy was closing for the remainder of the school year, only for a separate report to claim such talk had been walked back, yet another report (this time from TMZ) alleges the situation remains fluid.
In short, it’s now being reported that the school could indeed be closing down following the recent exit of a number of staff members. According to TMZ, several staffers have left their positions with the school in response to comments from Ye that have been widely called out as anti-Semitic, as well as in protest of his remarks about the murder of George Floyd in a since-removed Drink Champs episode and the inclusion of a hate slogan in his YZY SZN 9 show.
UPDATED 10/27, 12:50 p.m. ET: Nevermind. The artist formerly known as Kanye West’s Donda Academy has decided not to shutter its doors for the remainder of the school year.
TMZ reports that the school will remain open. Parents and students were sent an email midnight on Wednesday, which is reported to have said, “Join us tomorrow morning in worship for the return of Donda Academy. With the help of our parents and community, we are back and returning with a vengeance!”
See original story below.
The artist formerly known as Kanye West’s Donda Academy is immediately closing for the remainder of the school year, according to a new report.
The Timesshared a piece on Thursday in which an email to parents was cited, with Donda Academy principal Jason Angell most notably informing them that the school “will close for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year effective immediately.”
The move comes amid ongoing criticism and fallout spurred by a number of remarks made by Ye, both in interview settings and on social media, that have been widely called out as anti-Semitic. Unlike past controversies involving the artist, some longtime fans have also been more openly critical of Ye’s actions (and their immediate impact) this time around, including the “Ye da [G.OA.T.] no [cap]” guy.
Per the latest report, Angell’s email notes that the decision to close Donda Academy for the rest of the school year was made “at the discretion of our founder.” However, the current plan is for the school to “begin afresh” late next year.
“Our leadership team will be working diligently to assist all families during this transition, ensuring that every scholar has what they need to succeed in their next community in a prompt and gracious manner,” Angell’s email is reported to have said.
According to the school’s official site, the daily schedule for students included “full school worship,” core classes (i.e. math, science, and language arts), lunch, and recess. “Enrichment courses” are also listed as having been part of the curriculum, with offerings including classes on visual art and parkour.
News of Donda Academy’s (seemingly temporary) closure follows a prior report from TMZ revealing that the school’s basketball team had been removed from the Scholastic Play-by-Play Classics schedule in response to Ye’s recent actions.
Complex has reached out to Donda Academy for comment. This story may be updated.
