Jada Pinkett Smith opens private school

Jada Pinkett Smith opens private school

LOS ANGELES — Jada Pinkett Smith is adding another title to her resume: schoolmaster.

The 37-year-old actress-producer-musician and her husband, Will Smith, opened the New Village Leadership Academy last fall. The private school, for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, has 60 students, according to the Web site.

Pinkett Smith hopes to open a companion campus for upper grades.

“My plan is to eventually have a high school,” Pinkett Smith said. Pinkett Smith, who is set to star in and executive produce a new series on TNT called "HawthoRNe," said she decided to open the elementary school after creating a home-school program for her children, 10-year-old Jaden and 8-year-old Willow. “More and more parents were like, ’Can we come?’” she said. “Then my house started to fill up. We had like 20 kids and I said, ‘We might as well start a school.’”

The New Village Leadership Academy generated some controversy when it was first announced because it relies on instructional methods developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The school’s director has said it isn’t a Scientology facility.

Hubbard’s “study technology” is a secular course akin to a Montessori approach, the Web site says.

Chris Brown removes name from awards show

NEW YORK — There won’t be any awkward Chris Brown moment at the Kids’ Choice Awards — the embattled pop star has withdrawn his name from the ballot.

Brown had been nominated for favorite male singer and favorite song for “Kiss Kiss” at the March 28 awards show on Nickelodeon. The nominations came shortly before his arrest for reportedly attacking girlfriend and fellow pop star Rihanna.

A petition had been circulated to take his name off the ballot, but Nickelodeon said yesterday he was still on. On Wednesday, Brown decided to take his name out of consideration. In a statement, his representatives said that though Brown would like to speak directly to his fans, he can’t because of his criminal case.

Today's birthdays

Singer Al Jarreau is 69. Singer-actress Liza Minnelli is 63. Singer James Taylor is 61. Singer Marlon Jackson of The Jacksons is 52. Actor Samm Levine is 27.