LeBron James, one of the NBA’s biggest stars, has long been a supporter of education initiatives both in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and across the country. Recently, he took a significant step in this direction by opening a public primary school that goes above and beyond. The main goal of this school, named Promise School, is to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment, offering them an alternative to the streets and fostering a sense of belonging.

The collaboration between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Ohio public school system has resulted in Promise School. The inaugural class consists of 240 third and fourth-grade students who were selected based on their socioeconomic status and academic performance. Being part of this public school grants them a 100% scholarship, covering lunch, transportation, uniforms, and school supplies.

The school has plans to expand from first to eighth grade by 2022, and it currently has over 40 staff members, including teachers and trained professionals, who provide extended school days and an extended academic year for the students. Additionally, it has been reported that graduates of the program will receive free tuition at the University of Akron, starting in 2021.

But the school’s impressive features don’t end there. It is also adorned like a basketball fan’s dream, with 114 pairs of LeBron James sneakers lining the entrance of the building.

LeBron James’ dedication to helping struggling students both inside and outside the classroom stems from his own childhood experiences. He recalls a pivotal moment in fourth grade when he started missing classes, and he believes that receiving the necessary support during that time played a significant role in shaping his life. Michele Campbell, the executive director of the James Foundation, highlighted this in an interview with USA Today, stating that Lebron “took the right path, surrounded by supportive individuals, and now we recognize him as the world’s greatest basketball player.”

While not all of these children may become basketball stars like LeBron James, they have the potential to become passionate and ambitious individuals. LeBron understands their struggles on a profound level, having gone through similar experiences himself. He is thrilled to provide them with an opportunity to grow and thrive, just as he had in his own life.