LeBron James made a spectacular entry in the first game played at Akron’s I Promise School’s new outdoor basketball court by scoring a slam dunk. The event was a massive success with students, teachers, and community members cheering on from outside the fence that surrounded the vibrant court. James played alongside his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s “Fab 5” team against the I Promise School’s “new” Fab 5 girls and boys teams. The beloved basketballer spoke about how the court not only taught basketball but also taught valuable lessons such as creating a bond that lasts forever. James was reunited with his 2003 state championship team members, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, and their coach, Dru Joyce II.
“Our journey began on an open-air court with just the five of us, but we want to repay you all now,” said James. A group of men in their 30s engaged in a lively match against ten fourth and fifth-grade students from a school located on West Market Street. This institution was established last year by the LeBron James Family Foundation in collaboration with Akron Public Schools.
I Promise School caters to 343 of Akron’s most vulnerable third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students. These students began the school year in the bottom 25th percentile and were performing below their grade level. However, by the end of the year, an impressive 90 percent of them had surpassed their individual growth targets in both reading and math.
The newly installed basketball court, courtesy of 2K Foundations, the philanthropic branch of NBA 2K video game publisher, is sure to be a hit among students who are looking forward to participating in outdoor activities.
The school has some new features this year, one of which is the Kauling Companies Media Lab. This facility provides a chance to gain practical experience in news and digital content creation.
The Family Resource Center in the school has undergone a major facelift, transforming into the new and improved Family Resource Wing. One of its features is the “Happy Happy Market,” which provides students and their loved ones with complimentary groceries and other necessities. There’s also the “Loads of Love” laundry facility, making it easier for families to clean their clothes.
As part of the school’s strategy to provide trauma-informed education to at-risk students living in urban areas, the Family Training Center has been established. Instead of suspending or expelling students who exhibit disruptive behavior, they will be sent to this center to work closely with intervention specialists. These professionals are trained to help students comprehend, manage and enhance their conduct through personalized one-on-one sessions.
The University of Akron has set up unique learning spaces for aspiring educators and principals, called the “Roo Rooms”. These classrooms have been designed keeping in mind the specific needs of students pursuing these professions.
In the classroom called “I Promise Too,” parents are given an opportunity to attend classes and obtain their GEDs. The classroom boasts a wall of photographs that proudly displays 18 parents who have achieved success through the program.
A fresh collection of murals from floor to ceiling, known as “Believers’ Bend,” highlights significant personalities from the past, such as Amelia Earhart, Michelle Obama, and Judith Resnik, who hails from Akron.
James has invested over $1 million into the I Promise School, which includes new resources such as expanded programs, maintaining a 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio, and funding for additional tutors, district coaches, Family Training Center teachers, and teacher salaries for the Empower Hour – an extra learning hour each school day for extracurricular activities and other immersive experiences.
In a tweet by Robin Goist on August 14, 2019, a photo of a basketball game was shared. In May, LeBron James had paid a visit to Akron and announced a generous grant of $1 million from the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation. The grant was aimed at constructing a new indoor gym for students’ physical education as well as after-school sports. Further, in December, both the LeBron James Family Foundation and the 2K Foundation collaborated to renovate the gym at the Balch Street Community Center located within a mile’s distance from the I Promise School. The gym has been utilized by the school for various events like assemblies, sports, after-school activities, among others.
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