Students in Akron whose public school system labeled as the city’s worst-performing pupils have turned things around in big way after enrolling in LeBron James’ school.
I Promise’s inaugural class of third- and fourth-graders is closing the achievement gap, according to the New York Times.
“These kids are doing an unbelievable job, better than we all expected,” James told the Times.
In fact, the students at I Promise posted “extraordinary results” during their first district assessments, where 90 percent of met or exceeded individual growth goals in reading and math, the Times reported.
Anyone who changes the world through education has my ultimate respect. Huge fan of the I Promise initiative. Results city. Props @KingJames https://t.co/kiK2BSX0QN
— Eric Sorrentino (@esorrentino24) April 13, 2019
To begin the year, both third- and fourth-graders scored in the lowest percentile, or 1%.
At year’s end, third-graders soared into the ninth percentile and fourth-graders moved into 16th.
In addition, math scores took an even more dramatic jump. Third-graders went from 1% to 18%, while fourth-graders rose from two to the 30th percentile.
Not bad for some kids who were written off as, according to the Times, “irredeemable.”
"Unlike other schools connected to celebrities, I Promise is not a charter school run by a private operator but a public school operated by the district. "
Not sure about his NBA stats this year, but @KingJames appears to be crushing it off the court. https://t.co/lH1F2e4gY1
— Scott Smith (@stampergr) April 13, 2019
James says the results show that children at I Promise are responding better to teaching methods that they had not prior to attending his school.
“Now people are going to really understand the lack of education they had before they came to our school,” the NBA superstar said. “People are going to finally understand what goes on behind our doors.”
What is that, exactly?
I Promise has a longer day and school year. In addition there is free breakfast, lunch and snacks, and free transportation within two miles of the school.
The school also provides food and clothing to the families of students in need.
Continuing its focus on families, I Promise provides parents with G.E.D preparation opportunities, work advice, health and legal services, and even a quarterly barbershop, the Times reported.
Oh, and King James also guarantees tuition for all students who graduate from I Promise.
The inaugural class of students at LeBron’s I Promise School have posted “extraordinary results” so far; 90 percent met or exceeded growth goals in reading and math, per The New York Times. @KingJames Keep doing great things man frfr ✊??.
— TheWave (@LEAGUE_PASS) April 13, 2019
