Being the child of a celebrity more than likely will mean that your life will significantly differ from most. The same can be said for Jaden and Willow Smith. The two have spent much of their life in the public eye, and their parents have often shared aspects of their private lives growing up. So naturally, the children did not spend much of their childhood in traditional schooling. But Willow revealed that she attended high school as sort of an “experiment” and is sharing her experience.
It’s public knowledge that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith chose to homeschool their children. During an episode of Red Table Talk, the Independence Day actor shared that his necessity to keep his family close to him was the reason behind their decision to homeschool Willow and Jaden. “My kids being with me is of a higher value than sitting in a classroom,” he said.
Jada Pinkett-Smith also shared her husband’s views that they wanted their children near them “while they worked.” In a 2005 interview with Essence, the Matrix: Resurrections actress also expressed her disdain for the public and private school system. “The school system in this country […] is designed for the industrial age,” Pinkett-Smith said. Furthermore, the actress said they embraced being in the “technological age” and would prefer their children to “learn” rather than “memorize.”
While the couple has often been criticized for their choices, it seemingly has not phased Willow or Jaden. Both of the Smith children expressed their disdain for school in a 2014 interview with the New York Times’s T Magazine, calling it “overrated.” Willow expressed to the magazine that for one year, she attended school. According to New York Mag’s Intelligencer, Willow Smith attended Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles in 2001. When it came to enrolling in traditional school, Willow recalled it being the “best, but worst experience.” The best part of this experience was her realization of why kids who went to school were depressed. The worst experience was her realization that she, herself, was depressed.
The Independent gave an additional account of why Willow attended high school for that one year. According to the publication, the “Meet Me At Our Spot” singer claimed that it was a personal “experiment” to ascertain whether she may be missing out on some “life lessons.” Upon attending, she revealed that whatever “suspicions” she had were “proven.” Although she called school a “stressful and oppressive environment,” the takeaway was being able to witness a sense of camaraderie and “community” the kids would maintain.
As it pertained to pursuing higher education, Willow once shared with Interview Magazine that college was a “possibility” for her. Then, in a 2017 interview with Vulture, Willow expressed her desire to attend MIT. “I know that at one point in my life, I’m going to go to college for both music and physics,” said Willow.
