Kanye West is plotting to open his own private school between Moorpark and Simi Valley, California; Simi Valley Acorn reports. On Tuesday (Sept. 21), the outlet obtained an Aug. 30 change of occupancy permit that was issued to Ye by the Ventura County Building and Safety Division. Per the permit, the rapper is eyeing a 4-acre space on Tierra Rejada Road to launch his Donda Academy.
According to leasing information reported by Simi Valley Acorn, the property Kanye hopes to acquire is the former Simi Valley Stoneridge Preparatory School, which closed in the early 2010s. The 5,728-square-foot school includes classrooms, labs, offices, bathrooms, a kitchen, storage, basketball court and a large open field.
Kanye’s plans for Donda Academy were quietly announced earlier this month via the @dondasplace Twitter account.
“Donda Academy. Finding the intersection between faith and the innovation of the future, Donda Academy is focused on equipping students with an education that will last in the ever-changing world,” a tweet from the account read.
According to MTV News, Donda Academy will be a tuition-free K-12 private school open to 60 students. The school will reportedly offer computer science, STEM, Japanese and physical education courses. With the academy, Ye hopes to honor the academic legacy of his mother Donda West, who was an educator, MTV writes.
“Donda Academy prepares students to become the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators by providing them with a world-class education,” Donda Academy Education Consultant Beulah McLoyd said, according to Rap-Up.
As reported by REVOLT, Kanye is also planning to launch a school in his hometown of Chicago after meeting with architects in Berlin, Germany earlier this month. The 44-year-old confirmed to a local news outlet that he already designed his California school and is now enlisting help to design a facility in Chicago.