Los Angeles - The head of a school founded by superstar Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith denied reports Wednesday that the private educational establishment was a center for Scientology. Concern was raised about the New Village Academy in the upscale Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas when it was revealed that the school would use methods based on study technology, a teaching system developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the controversial Scientology movement.
The movement is prominent in Hollywood thanks to the allegiance of actors like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. But Will Smith has consistently denied being a member.
In comments quoted by the Los Angeles Times Wednesday, Jacqueline Olivier, the school's head administrator, denied that the establishment was linked with Scientology. Olivier said that the school employed staff who were Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Scientologist.
"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," Olivier said.
She also dismissed concerns about study technology. "People tend to think study technology is a subject, but it is really just the way the subject is taught," Olivier said. "They then come to the conclusion that we are teaching Scientology when actually a methodology doesn't have anything to do with content."
According to the report Smith is paying around 900,000 dollars to lease the school site for three years. Initial enrollment is 40 children, with annual fees capped at 12,500 dollars, and an estimated 80 per cent of students receiving financial aid.
