Kanye West Runs A Private School But Doesn't Even Read

Sarah Kester
Kanye West with North on his shoulder
instagram | @kimkardashian

Kanye West can do many things: he’s a rapper, fashion designer, father, and entrepreneur.

But one thing he apparently doesn't do is read. Like pretty much everything else, he has some strong opinions on this.

This impacts his newest business venture: running a private school for kids and teens.

Kanye West has many business ventures. 

Kanye with his kids
instagram | @kimkardashian

How else did he get to be worth a billion dollars? Hard work, that's how (thanks, Kim).

In addition to his music and fashion label, he’s invested his money into businesses that mean a lot to him. 

There’s his church, which he started after he became devoted to his Christian faith.

He even released an album called “Jesus is King.” He explained the inspiration behind the church on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.

"It's just an idea we had to open up our hearts to make music that we felt was as pure and as positive as possible and just do it for an hour every Sunday," he said.

Kanye on stage
Giphy | 2022 MTV Video Music Awards

"And have something where people can just come together and feel good with their families."

Since January 2019, the rapper has hosted many Sunday Services.

It’s a chance for him to combine his love of music, fashion, and Jesus Christ. 

The location for this changes weekly, with past services being held at Kayne's house and in Los Angeles.

Thought that was surprising? He now runs a private school.

Kanye with his kids on couch
instagram | @kimkardashian

This is called the Donda Academy, which was named and founded after the memory of his late mother. 

The private school teaches children from pre-K all the way to twelfth grade.

In addition to standard subjects, such as math, science, and arts, students are also taught enrichment courses like "world language, visual art, film, choir, and parkour."

Michael Scott doing parkour
Giphy

If you’re wondering what parkour has to do with education, Kanye said on Alo Yoga's Alo Mind Full podcast that it’s important to balance standard curriculam with other forms of learning. 

"We have to balance things with curriculums that allow for self-confidence," West said.

"Because so many of the schools and modern indoctrinations take away from the confidence that these future leaders would have in themselves." Anyone else also want to join??

One thing students might not be doing is reading.

Kanye looking confused
Giphy | 2022 MTV Video Music Awards

And that’s because Kanye himself doesn’t read!

"I actually haven't read any book," West said on the podcast. He prefers a good conversation. "Reading is like eating Brussels sprouts for me," West added.

"And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli."

Kim and Kanye together
instagram | @kimkardashian

This was in reference to a pasta dish at a restaurant in Santa Monica that he and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, once dined at. Must be some good corn ravioli.

Instead, Kanye only reads the first and last sentences of long text messages. 

Open book
Unsplash | Blaz Photo

He also feels frustrated over the expectation that he needs to speak proper English to be respected. "It's the Tower of Babylon. English, y'know," he told the host.

"The idea of having to speak correct English, like, you're not going to respect what I'm saying, even though you know what I'm saying, unless I'm speaking correct English," West said.

Kanye shrugging
Giphy

The rapper detests this so much, he even compared having his speaking corrected to being pulled over and having to do an "alcohol test."

Check out the full interview here!