Inside LeBron Jamess I Promise School In Akron Ohio

Basketball star LeBron James has unveiled the I Promise School in his home town of Akron, Ohio. The public, non-charter school was developed to provide at-risk youth with opportunities James didn’t have growing up.

LeBron James may have left the Cleveland Cavaliers twice, most recently signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the National Basketball Association (NBA) star never forgets where he came from.

In July 2018, James unveiled the I Promise School in his home town of Akron, Ohio. The public, non-charter school like the one James attended growing up is a facility for 240 at-risk third and fourth graders. The school plans to expand by adding grades each year until it houses first through eighth grade by 2022.

A collaborative effort between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public School District, the I Promise School was developed to provide Akron’s youth with opportunities that James, a three-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, was denied growing up.

It’s non-traditional

The school day runs from 9am to 5pm and the extended school year is from July through May. Camps focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects will be provided during a seven-week summer session. There are 43 staff members, including a principal, assistant principal, four intervention specialists, a tutor, English as a second language teacher, music instructor and gym teacher. Classrooms will hold 20 students per teacher.

Students, who each get a Chromebook to complete their homework, will spend time on “social-emotional learning” and participate in a “supportive circle” after lunch.

Nutrition is a major focus

Each day students will receive free breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. Those enrolled will also have access to a fitness trainer. Each incoming student will receive a free bicycle because, as James says, it was something he used as a kid to explore different neighborhoods around town.

Free college tuition

Should a student complete the school program and graduate from high school, James will provide free college tuition to the local University of Akron for him/her.

Teacher benefits galore

Teachers around the country fight for adequate classroom resources and will even spend their own money in an effort to properly stock their classrooms. The staff at the I Promise School won’t have that issue as all supplies will be provided by the school.

Staff members are also given access to psychological services and each Wednesday afternoon is reserved for career development. Teachers are also given access to a personal trainer.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.