Will and Jada to open Scientology based school—deny religious affiliation

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images


One of your favorite celebs, Will Smith, and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith are opening private school New Village Academy this fall.  While the school will use study technology, the instructional methods of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, the couple claim the facility has no religious affiliation. "We are a secular school, and just like all nonreligious independent schools, faculty and staff do not promote their own religions at school or pass on the beliefs of their particular faith to children," says New Village Academy director Jacqueline Olivier. Despite the fact Will and Jada are attached at the hip to Tom Cruise and Scientology-bot Katie Holmes, they insist they are not Scientologists. Several teachers on board at the school are however are members of the church. As for classes, students can expect yoga, robotics and etiquette in addition to traditional courses. 

Would you feel comfortable sending a child to Will’s prep school? [Yahoo
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Comments 91-95 of 95
  • irw_val's Avatar
    Posted by irw_val Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:05pm PDT

    I am a teacher and taught at a school that taught study technology. The program is good. The school tried to get chartered, but when the connection with scientology was know, the school went down. I think that you can teach the method, but you cannot have "scientologists" involved in anyway with the education of the students. It's like having a porn star teach sex ed in the schools! Seperation of church and state can be difficult in this situation!

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  • bammagirl251's Avatar
    Posted by bammagirl251 Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:40am PDT

    NO! There is no way that their "so called religion" would not be taught to the kids. They need to be taught about GOD!

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  • The Shoppers!'s Avatar
    Posted by The Shoppers! Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:30am PDT

    If there is any religious influence----no! Will and Jada also need to let this parent know if they are swappers too! I don't want to send me kids to school if the administrators are swappers, or have an open marriage. Will, are you a swapper? Do you and Jada have an open marriage? Who to say if Will and Jada come after my cute girls or handsome son!

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  • Shanell's Avatar
    Posted by Shanell Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:53pm PDT

    I hope Mr. and Mrs. smith are reading this because I will love to say thank you so much for looking out for the next generation. No matter what you do, someone will say something negative. Iam so happy for Our African American people who are doing right for the community. It may not be your hood, but if u can help someone elses community go ahead. I donot see Bush creating schools but instead taking them away. Focus on that issue, People of todays World.

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  • CHOC KISS's Avatar
    Posted by CHOC KISS Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:38pm PDT

    ITS NOT ENOUGH INFO ON THE SCHOOL. SO ANY PARENT IN THEIR RIGHT

    MIND COULDN'T MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE. WHY DO WILL & JADA HAVE

    TO BE SCIENTOLOGY BELEIVERS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOM & KATIE'S FRIENDS?

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