Diddy’s former charter school, Capital Preparatory Harlem, was reportedly a disaster.
According to The Cut, the school, which once promised an “elite education” and stood firm on its mission to “provide historically disadvantaged students with the college and career readiness skills needed to become responsible and engaged citizens for social justice,” was reportedly anything but that. The outlet outlines “chaos and fear” permeating the institution. It also reported that the school’s promise of giving underserved children access to life-changing opportunities rarely happened. The exposé documented teacher shortages, neglected children, turbulent violence, miscommunication with parents, and unstable leadership.
Additionally, the publication recalls a moment when the institute suffered from a bedbug infestation. Parents were not readily notified about the situation and found out through the students.
And despite co-founder Sean Combs appearing in several pictures with the kids and alongside founder Dr. Steve Perry, it turns out he had minuscule involvement with the school. There were even moments when the administration called the New York Police Department on children who “violated” the school’s apparent strict uniform policy. “[Diddy] was supposed to be an inspiration to those children, coming from what you might consider the hood—and he was not,” an anonymous parent expressed.
Capital Prep Schools disputed the parent’s and former teachers’ accounts. Shenique Coston, director of communications and development for the school’s network, detailed the claims as “fabrications.” “We accept and are saddened that some scholars and colleagues were not pleased with their experience,” Coston’s statement read. “However, we affirmatively state that many of the allegations included in your fact-checking list are fabrications.”
Representatives for Capital Preparatory School Harlem and Dr. Steve Perry have not responded to VIBE‘s request for comment.
It should also be noted that a board meeting for Charter Prep Harlem and the Bronx set for Monday (March 18) was canceled—three days after The Cut’s exposé. There was no explanation for why the abrupt cancellation occurred.
In November 2023, Combs’ partnership with the prep school ended amid a flurry of 𝑠e𝑥ual assault allegations. Dr. Perry issued a statement explaining their decision during the time, per The Shaderoom.
“Following a comprehensive evaluation, a decision has been made to end the partnership between Capital Preparatory Schools and Sean Combs,” Dr. Perry typed in the now-deleted statement. “While this decision was not made lightly, we firmly believe it is in the best interest of our organization’s health and future.”
Diddy teamed up with Dr. Perry to launch the prep school’s Harlem location in 2016. In 2021, the businessman donated $1 million to the school’s Bronx location. “It was something that was always a dream for me and a passion, and I’m just blessed that it was able to happen. I think it’s having an impact. I mean, not I think, I know it’s definitely having an impact on the community, so it’s a dream come true,” Combs said about the Bronx location in 2022, according to CBS News.
