LeBron James “I Promise School” Has Terrible Student Test Results
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 31: LeBron James attends the Los Angeles premiere of Universal Pictures’ “Shooting Stars” on May 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
I Promise School, part-funded by LeBron James and his foundation, has been under fire over terrible results. The Akron-based school, which aimed to help the most at-risk students, is reportedly failing in the standardized test department.
Eighth grade students at the school haven’t passed a single math test in three years, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
One board member questioned how that could be possible, as it is highly unusual for children in their age group to have such poor results.
“It is discouraging,” said Keith Liechty-Clifford, the district’s director of school improvement.
Akron Public School Board members are outraged with Lebron James “I Promise” school in Akron, Ohio after it was reported that the school hasn’t had one student from its 8th grade class pass a state math test in over 3 years. pic.twitter.com/Fr31MMEsQt
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) July 30, 2023
The last time the students passed the state’s math test happened when they were in the third grade, per the report.
What is even more discouraging is that the website says the mission of the I Promise School is to help “those students who are already falling behind and in danger of falling through the cracks.”
FALLING BEHIND: The basketball star's 'I Promise School' opened in 2018 and it has since been reported the school's 8th-graders have not passed state testing requirements in years.
https://t.co/EVjF0MNkd7 pic.twitter.com/y6rn3uHvWa— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 31, 2023
LeBron James has consistently spoken about how much the ‘I Promise’ school means to him, and how he wants to give back. He will definitely do what he has to do to ensure this school gets these students back on track.
The LeBron James Family Foundation released a statement Monday saying it remains steadfast in its commitment.
“When we started this work to wraparound students through education, we entered this partnership with Akron Public School for the long haul,” the statement said.
“Because this work requires a long-term commitment, hard work, and a lot of love and care. And that’s what we bring each and every day because the I Promise School is more than a school. We’re here for the ups and downs, and will continue to wraparound our students and their entire families so they can be successful in school and in life, no matter the challenges and obstacles that come their way.”
In the meantime, Lakers forward LeBron James earned a spot on the league’s All-NBA third team this past year, becoming the third-oldest player to earn All-NBA honors in league history. It’s the 19th straight year James has been all-league.
James averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 55 games this season, his 20th in the NBA. He became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February.
Despite an up-and-down regular season, James was able to lead the Lakers through the play-in game and all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
