Will Smith Funds Private Scientology School

[bojack34 2]

Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith have won critical acclaim for pumping nearly $1 million of their own money into a new private school that will offer organic meals, laptops for every student and an environment of learning based on "equity" and "respect" to create "citizens of the world."

Here's what the parents of the school's pupils aren't being told:

The New Village Academy plans to use some teaching methods developed within the Church of Scientology and has hired a team of Scientologists to put them into action.

Pinkett-Smith, who currently home-schools the couple's two children, has long been talking about opening up a school where Jaden, 9, and Willow, 7, can continue to receive an education in line with their beliefs, friends told FOXNews.com.

So she and her actor husband are bankrolling the pre-kindergarten through sixth grade school in Calabasas, Calif., and they have selected a group of Scientologists, including the Director of Learning, Director of Qualifications and Artistic Director, to create that atmosphere.

But you won't find references to the Church of Scientology on NVA's Web site.

Ron Reynolds, executive director of the California Association of Private School Organizations, a consortium of the state's private and religious schools, said it's not the actual teaching of Scientology methods that raises a red flag for him. His concern is the school's non-disclosure about its apparent religious affiliation.

"School should be forthright about its purposes. And if it's a religious school, I don't see why it wouldn't wish to announce its religious affiliation loud and clear," Reynolds said.

While the Church of Scientology is never mentioned explicitly, some of its teaching methods and terms are not hard to find on the site.

Under the glossary of educational theories, it lists "study technology," an "educational model developed by L.R. Hubbard." That's L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology.

"tudy technology focuses on three principles," the curriculum reads. "First is the use of 'mass' to foster understanding — children need to see and feel what they are learning about," reads the posting.

Scientology supporters say study technology can be beneficial because it is individualized and helps students overcome things they don't understand by building one idea upon another. But critics say its concepts can be overly simplistic and brainwashes students with its covert religious instruction.

The site uses other Scientology terms, such as "spiraling" and "gradient," to describe how students master a level of learning before moving on to the next.

Scientology already runs its own semi-official network of schools called Delphi s[/url]chools, which employ Scientologists and use teaching techniques like study tech — just like NVA.

While there has been much speculation about the couple's ties to Scientology, Smith has never publicly said he is a Scientologist.

Last month, Smith was quoted as saying, “I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions. And I respect all people and all paths.”

In December, interviewed on "Access Hollywood," Smith said of his Scientology connection: “I was introduced [to] it by Tom [Cruise], and I’m a student of world religion. I was raised in a Baptist household, I went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98 percent the same ideas of Scientology, 98 percent the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism.”

In 2004 the couple donated $20,000 to the Hollywood Education and Literacy Program (HELP), the basis for Scientology’s home-schooling system.

Click here to read the FOX411 on Will Smith's contribution.

There was never any mention of faculty members’ Scientology backgrounds on the school’s Web site. As if underscoring its secretive nature, the school's faculty member page on its Web site was suddenly taken down last week — but FOXNews.com learned at least three staff members have ties to Scientology.

Tasia Jones, NVA’s director of learning, graduated from the Scientologist Delphi School in Milton, Mass., according to her MySpace profile.

She was previously the Boston director of HELP, the same Scientology group to which Smith donated $20,000 in 2004, according to media reports.

On her Scientology Online blog Jones wrote, “I am currently teaching in a small private school. I have inspirations in the arts, particularly movies/films.”

On a page entitled “My Success,” Jones said, “My success in Scientology has been I have hope for myself and others that life can change for the better, all is not lost. I have a much more optimistic look than many of my peers.”

According to TruthAboutScientology.com, an online monitoring database that tracks the religion and its practitioners, Jones completed six Scientology courses between 2000 and 2006, including one entitled Hubbard Professional Metering Course. The official Scientology Web site wrote this about what skills are learned: “It is not possible to successfully do anything in life if one cannot control objects, situations and communication. This course teaches that skill.”

Sigrid Burket, NVA’s Director of Qualifications, is described on the school Web site's faculty page as a “Youth Specialist” and sports coach. In 2004, Burket was listed as the director of a school that practiced Scientology beliefs — an official list compiled by the Church itself.

According to TruthAboutScientology, Burket has completed eight Scientology courses.

Sisu Raiken, the NVA's Artistic Director and performance teacher, is also a Scientologist.

From her Scientology Web site she writes: “Without exaggerating, I can honestly say that Scientology has made EVERYTHING about my life seem better. I am more productive, making more income, have a happier family and doing EXACTLY what I want to do in life. When I first found out about Scientology I was a failed artist and about to give up. Today I am well-known in my field (performer and teacher), very well-respected and VERY happy.”

According to TruthAboutScientology, Raiken has completed 16 Scientology courses, including a course that teaches the evils of psychiatry and how to “detect and handle suppressive persons,” according to the official Scientology Web site.

Numerous e-mails and phone calls for comment on the school's faculty by Smith's representatives and NVA were not returned.

Reynolds said people are certain to be curious about what Smith's new school has to offer, especially due to its name recognition. But he balks at why NVA wasn't more upfront about the school's Scientology connection.

"I fail to understand why you would hide what you are. How can parents make informed choices if they have to struggle to ascertain what the purpose and philosophy of the school is?" Reynolds said.

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Smith said the ideas of scientology is made up of 98% of the Bible, Hinduism, Buddhism. If you only get 98% of Christianity then the 2% you are left with = HELL.

[DKW 86 7,874]

[Ranger12 53]

Like that one guy said, if they want to bankroll their only little school with their own beliefs, then that is their right, but they need to let others know what is going to be taught there and who is going to be teaching it.

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

You seem to hear so much about Scientology in relation to Hollywood. I would like to see some reliable stat, if it could ever be accurately done, that shows how many celebrities are Scientologists. Wasn't it kabullah, or something like that, which was the fad for entertainment industry a few years ago?

[DKW 86 7,874]

"Pre-approved" that could easily be turned into racism, sexism, classism, etc. I guess they dont want all those hard working American cooties to get all over them.

[mowegl 4]

Will must not be a very good student. Can someone please point out to me the 98% of ideas in the Bible that are the same as Scientology?

[Wishbone 0]

Surprise. Will Smith turned out to be a flake. I doubt anyone is shocked. Why do you have to be a mindless flake to be in the movie business? If I had alot of money I would start my own movie studio and put everyone else out of business.

[BamaGrad03 0]

This is really dissapointing. I always liked Will Smith.

Always disliked Jada Pinkett though.

[Tiger Al 0]

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

Can't this same thing be said about ALL private schools, whether religious or secular? I always thought that was the purpose.

[DKW 86 7,874]

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

Can't this same thing be said about ALL private schools, whether religious or secular? I always thought that was the purpose.

Sidwell Friends etc. I COMPLETELY agree with you Al. Private schools are far more about keeping the kids AWAY from unwanted people and establishing contacts with those you want to make contact with as they are about education. I hate that a lot of "Christian" schools are really segregation institutions far more than educational facilities.

[Wishbone 0]

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

Can't this same thing be said about ALL private schools, whether religious or secular? I always thought that was the purpose.

Sidwell Friends etc. I COMPLETELY agree with you Al. Private schools are far more about keeping the kids AWAY from unwanted people and establishing contacts with those you want to make contact with as they are about education. I hate that a lot of "Christian" schools are really segregation institutions far more than educational facilities.

Whatever the reason, private schools provide a vastly better environment for education and socialization.

[mowegl 4]

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

Can't this same thing be said about ALL private schools, whether religious or secular? I always thought that was the purpose.

Sidwell Friends etc. I COMPLETELY agree with you Al. Private schools are far more about keeping the kids AWAY from unwanted people and establishing contacts with those you want to make contact with as they are about education. I hate that a lot of "Christian" schools are really segregation institutions far more than educational facilities.

Whatever the reason, private schools provide a vastly better environment for education and socialization.

Well, move along. Vanderbilt is waiting on your support. I bet you'll have a grand ole time socializing and tailgating there.

[DKW 86 7,874]

I just can't help that this is about some Hollywood celebrities trying to create a nice little safe box for their kids. This way their kids only learn and hear what they want and they only play with kids that are "pre-approved". Though we all would like that for our kids, you also have to question how well the kids are going to develop socially by being so protected from the "non-millionaire" world.

Can't this same thing be said about ALL private schools, whether religious or secular? I always thought that was the purpose.

Sidwell Friends etc. I COMPLETELY agree with you Al. Private schools are far more about keeping the kids AWAY from unwanted people and establishing contacts with those you want to make contact with as they are about education. I hate that a lot of "Christian" schools are really segregation institutions far more than educational facilities.

Whatever the reason, private schools provide a vastly better environment for education and socialization.

In the penultimate example of making my point, I rest my case. Tell me Wishbone, do your kids go to Meadowview Christian?

As a Youth Director for my old church, I dealt with kids in private schools here in Decatur. I truly saw kids there that were, if anything, worse than in the public schools, not all of them but a good portion of them were much worse. Let me make my point.

Private schools at some level become the "last resort" for parents of really misguided kids that have been booted from public schools. I mean the real trouble makers that are upto no good. There are some kids there that are there to "reform" at some level too. Private school kids end up with a privileged social outlook that will show up in weird ways until you deal with it for a while. One girl I dealt with was near the top of her class at one of the private schools. She was a social terrorist. Absolutely would lie about anything and disobey her own parents on EVERY issue. She at one point was chasing a divorced man in the church, she was 16-17 at the time, VERY inapproprite behavior and dress, he was almost 40. I still get nauseous seeing her sit down beside him at services. Later on after he quit being around her, she would literally terrorize the girls in the church. stalking them om AIM etc. If she found out one of the girls in the youth group was dating or about to date a new guy, Ms X would immediately drop her boyfriend and in a matter OF HOURS would be chasing after the other girl's boyfriend just to show the other girl up. From Sunday School to Evening service this Ms X would do everything but throw her panties at the other girl's new boyfriend.

Yes, I fear she was far more promiscuous than the girls she was destroying with her behavior. She was definitely a huge tease to ANY guy she met, no matter who he was in her social circle. Even grown men had to watch themselves around her. This was the near valedictorian of a private school. "Mean Girls" had nothing on her. The lists of kids there with big problems goes on and on and on. The smuttiest music and behavior were to be found at one of the "Christian" schools here in Decatur.

She went to college and is struggling because the academics werent very good at the private school. I know not all private schools are like this but after having to deal with those here locally, I decline to send my kids to them. I at least wont waste my money, if they are academically superior and scholarships available we will look at them.

[channonc 466]

I think it really depends on the area, sometimes parents are forced to choose private schools unless they want their kids in inner city schools. In those cases, I think the private schools are much more like the public schools in the middle class areas of the south.

But where I grew up, the situation you described was our private schools. There were only 2 reasons to send your kids to private school in our school district: 1. you truly were that religious and wanted your children to have a religious education or 2. your child had been kicked out of the public schools.