LeBron James is once again proving that he is “more than an athlete.” The first graduating class from the I Promise School established by James and his LeBron James Family Foundation will receive free tuition to attend Kent State University.
Officials from Kent State surprised the 11th grade students with the exciting news. They students will receive four years of free tuition and one year of free room and board.
The official Twitter page of James’ foundation tweeted a video of the entire surprise. “When you show up to @KentState for your 11th grade experience outing, but find out you’re also getting FREE tuition for 4 years AND a year of free room & board,” the page tweeted.
The four-time MVP and three-time champion said that his most important accomplishment was opening the I Promise school in Akron, Ohio. “Besides having three kids and marrying my wife, putting my mom in a position where she never has to worry about anything ever again for the rest of her life, this is right up there,” James said. “Championships, MVPs, I mean points, rebounds and assists, that stuff is whatever. But for me to be able to open up a school and give back to my inner city, so many kids that I know because I was those kids.”
The I Promise School opened its doors in 2018. According to their website, the school is dedicated to help students who are falling behind academically. “The school implements specialized programming – from a longer school day, to its STEM curriculum with a ‘We Are Family’ philosophy – tailored to these students that creates a culture conducive to social-emotional learning,” the website says. “The I Promise School’s mission is to positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives. We believe that an education and living an active, healthy lifestyle is pivotal to the development of children and young adults.”
Take a look at the video of the students getting the great news below.