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LeBron brings hope to at-risk kids with opening of new school

Yahoo Sport Australia

LeBron James has realised a lifelong dream after describing the opening of his school for at-risk kids as one of the “greatest moments” of his life.

Even at 33 years old, with multiple NBA titles and enough awards to fill a museum, James still gets nervous for the first day of school.

Granted, James hasn’t been a student since 2003, but his role in the education system has drastically changed after his public school officially opened in Akron, Ohio.

The I PROMISE School will educate 240 of the Akron Public School District’s most academically at-risk third- and fourth-graders in its inaugural year and James was on hand to welcome each student on their first day.

LeBron James speaks at the opening of his new school. Pic: Getty
LeBron James speaks at the opening of his new school. Pic: Getty

“By me being able to put something like this together I want people to know that these kids still have the same opportunity as everyone else,” James said at the school’s opening.

As the school’s largest donor, James has been integral in the development of the program and has committed to popping in routinely throughout the year.

From missing classes to moulding champions

The fact that the school is only serving third- and fourth-graders has some added significance to James as well.

The 33-year-old revealed how momentous the occasion was to him in the lead-up the school’s opening.

While only two age groups are being educated at the school this year, there are plans to expand the program for academically at-risk youth in his hometown.

In the meantime, the school is structured to not only give students more options and resources, but to provide students with longer days and more activities to keep them out of negative environments.

Admitted students were randomly selected from a pool of public school children with lower test scores.

Does this story get any more heartwarming?

It most certainly does.

The Twitter accounts for both James and the LeBron James’ Family Foundation has been sending out numerous videos of students and faculty preparing for the transition to the I PROMISE School and to call it inspiring would be wholly underselling it.

LeBron has famously made a name for himself academically by paying for more than 1,000 kids from Ohio to go to college. With the I PROMISE School he has doubled down on his commitment to both his hometown and the power of education overall.

The King may be moving on to Los Angeles, but he’s not done making his mark in Akron.

With Yahoo US