photo credit: s_bukley // Shutterstock
On Monday, LeBron James opened a public school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio called, I Promise School. The school has abut 240 at-risk students who are given the opportunity to thrive despite family and life situations. The elementary school is a product of the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public School system.
The school was modeled around LeBron’s early childhood where he missed most of 4th grade because of living conditions. LeBron stresses how he understands how important it is to create a safe haven for kids. The school will start with 3rd and 4th grade, and other grades will come in the next few years, eventually housing grade 1-8 by 2022. The school has 40 staff members and with school days going from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and longer school years going from July 30-May 17. Student will be given breakfast and lunch, with daily snacks. Summer break will last 7 weeks.
For those students who complete the program, James has arranged for free tuition to the University of Akron starting in 2021. He also created a program for parents of the at-risk children to return to compete their high school education. Also helping high school students prepare for college. The LeBron James Foundation has more than 1,200 children who will pass the program and into college by 2029.
The bottom floor of the building features a mural of James, Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens and Martin Luther King Jr. Students will be stocked with school supplies, and teachers will have the tools they need, including a faculty lounge stocked with snacks and beverages and access to workout trainers.
Written by Clarke Jones