What Happened to Donda Academy?

Donda Academy was an unaccredited Christian private school established by American rapper Kanye West, initially in Calabasas in late 2020, and later operating from Simi Valley, California, with its name publicly revealed in September 2022. The school, named after West's late mother, charged $15,000 in annual tuition and reportedly enrolled around 100 students, including children of some celebrities. A notable requirement for parents, faculty, and staff was the signing of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), contributing to the school's secretive nature.

The academy quickly garnered controversy due to its unconventional educational environment and alleged operational deficiencies. Former teachers and staff described a school with unusual rules, such as banning chairs, utensils (requiring all cups and bowls to be gray), crossword puzzles, coloring sheets, and artwork in classrooms. Students were reportedly served only sushi for lunch, with West allegedly spending $10,000 per week on it. Allegations also included a lack of janitorial and medical staff, unsupervised student medications, and significant safety concerns like exposed electrical wiring and a skylight without glass, which West reportedly disliked.

A major turning point occurred in October 2022 when Kanye West made a series of antisemitic comments in interviews and on social media. This led to an immediate backlash, with many businesses severing ties with West and Donda Academy initially announcing its abrupt closure for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year. However, the school controversially reopened just hours later. Despite this brief reopening, the fallout continued, with the Donda Doves basketball team being dropped from prestigious tournaments.

Following these events, multiple lawsuits were filed against Kanye West and Donda Academy. In April 2023, former teachers Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers sued, alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and various health and safety violations. A third teacher, Timanii Meeks, joined their lawsuit in June 2023, citing safety hazards. In July 2023, former assistant principal Isaiah Meadows filed a separate lawsuit with similar claims of wrongful termination and unsafe conditions. Another former employee, Trevor Phillips, sued in April 2024, alleging a hostile workplace and that West made antisemitic remarks during meetings.

The California Department of Education officially listed Donda Academy as closed with an effective date of June 30, 2024. Legal proceedings have continued into 2026; in December 2024, a default judgment was entered against Donda Academy in Isaiah Meadows' lawsuit due to the defendants' failure to appear through licensed attorneys. While former employee Gregory Alan Avila dropped his lawsuit against Ye in March 2026, other cases persist. Most recently, as of August 13, 2026, Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, have been listed as potential witnesses for an upcoming October 2026 trial in a hostile work environment lawsuit filed by former Donda Academy security guard Benjamin Provo, who alleges discrimination and labor code violations. The school remains officially closed.