From Diane Ravitch, our public schools champion:
James has an active foundation in his hometown, Akron, Ohio. He is funding a model school in collaboration with the Akron public schools. It will NOT be a charter school.
“The Akron native and NBA superstar created the foundation in 2004 and it has since grown from the basics — giving new bicycles to children — to an organization that will be opening its own school at the end of the month. All the while, its mission has been to help Akron’s most at-risk students reach academic success.
“The next time the world will hear from James will be on Monday, July 30, Campbell said. That’s when he’ll be in Akron at the opening of I PROMISE School, a joint project between the foundation and the Akron Public Schools system. The school on West Market Street in Akron will welcome more than 240 third- and fourth-graders in an academic setting that will emphasize a STEM curriculum and a hands-on approach. The school also will offer wraparound services to students’ families. The goal is that by 2022 the school will house students in first through eighth grade.”
Thank you, LeBron, for giving back instead of using your wealth to harm the public schools that helped you.
The foundation’s I PROMISE network works with Akron students in several ways to help them stay in school. Those complete the program through graduation will receive scholarships to the University of Akron.