WORK
HARD
PLAY
HARD
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14
January 09:45am-01:00pm
V.I.P. Performance
I PROMISE School
4th Grade
RSVP
30
January 05:00pm-07:30pm
Family Feast!
I PROMISE Program
All Grades
RSVP
27
February 05:00pm-07:30pm
Family Feast!
I PROMISE Program
All Grades
RSVP
26
March 05:00pm-07:30pm
Family Feast!
I PROMISE Program
All Grades
RSVP
30
April 05:00pm-07:30pm
Family Feast!
I PROMISE Program
All Grades
RSVP
28
May 09:30am-02:00pm
Hometown Innovators
I PROMISE Program
9th Grade
RSVP
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000

I PROMISE School Students

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000

I PROMISE Program Students

1,400 Students & Growing

It all started back in 3rd grade. That’s when research says at-risk students can be accurately identified. Since 2011, we have welcomed a new class of third graders into the I PROMISE Program that now serves 1,100 Akron Public School students scattered across the district in grades six through eleven, and 343 students in grades three through five at the I PROMISE School. With the opening of IPS in 2018, all future I PROMISE students will enter the program through the doors of the I PROMISE School. 

I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE
I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE
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2004

Genesis

LeBron establishes the LeBron James Family Foundation.

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2008

Bike-A-Thon

LeBron hosts his first annual Bike-a-thon, a family-friendly event bringing the city and its youth together for a day of fun.

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2008 - 2010

It was one of many "one-and-done" events the Foundation sponsored for several years to creative positive experiences for families in Akron. 

But LeBron always knew he could do more. And so he went to work...
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2011

I PROMISE Program CREATED

LeBron re-focuses the Foundation's efforts on the life-changing power of education and establishes the I PROMISE Program. Taking on a new class of Akron Public School 3rd graders each year...

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2011 - 2013

The Family Begins To Grow

The I PROMISE Program provides the resources, incentives, and academic and emotional support the students and their families need to stay in school.

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2014

We Are Family Reunion

LeBron hosts his first "We Are Family Reunion" that gathers all of his program's students and their families to kick off a brand new school year.

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2015

I PROMISE Scholarship ANNOUNCED

2015 LeBron takes it a step further. He partnered with The University of Akron to guarantee all of his eligible I PROMISE students free, four year college scholarships. The announcement immediately changes the dreams and long-term plans of families across Akron.

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2016

I PROMISE Institute ANNOUNCED

LeBron establishes the I PROMISE Institute on the UA campus as an around-the-clock resource center for his I PROMISE students, acclimating them to life on a college campus.

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2017

I PROMISE School APPROVED

The Board of Education formally approves the designs and creation of the I PROMISE School in Akron. Educators, civic leaders, academic experts, community members, parents and students immediately get to work on the creation of the curriculum, innovative school year, and wrap-around supports IPS will provide.

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2018

I PROMISE School OPENS

On July 30, 2018 the I PROMISE School opened its doors for an historic first day of school for its inaugural class of 240 I PROMISE students.

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2018 - 2019

Model for Urban Public Education

Now the kid from Akron is rolling all of his efforts in to the I PROMISE School in order to change the lives of kids and families across Akron and create a model for the rest of the world to follow.

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2019

I PROMISE Village

LeBron announces the I PROMISE Village by Graduate Hotels for students and their families who need a safe, comforting place to stay as they work through challenges they may be facing including homelessness, domestic violence, and other unforeseen circumstances.

LJFF EST. AKRON LJFF EST. AKRON LJFF EST. AKRON
LJFF EST. AKRON LJFF EST. AKRON LJFF EST. AKRON

THE PROMISE

The I PROMISE Program is rooted in the promises LeBron and the students make to themselves, their families, and each other to be the best they can be in everything they do. They reaffirm this commitment every day as they recite their promises together. LeBron wears a visible symbol of his promise daily on his wrist, a sign of love and commitment to their common bond that drives them all to strive for more.

  • elementary
  • secondary
  • parents

to Go To School

to Work Hard In School

to Be A Positive Role Model

Because They Will Help Me Learn

to Try New Things

to Communicate With My Child's Teachers

to Be Helpful And Respectful To Others

to Graduate From High School

to Spend Meaningful Time With My Child

and Above All Else

to Do All Of My Homework

to Live An Active And Healthy Lifestyle

to Hold My Child Accountable

to Ask Questions And Find Answers

to Ask For Help When I Need It

to Listen To My Child

to Live A Healthy Life

to Use My Education To Achieve My Goals

to Teach My Child Respect And Responsibility

to Finish School

to Never Give Up No Matter What

to Be A Leader

to Make Healthy Choices For My Family

by Eating Right And Being Active

and Above All Else

and Above All Else

to Make Good Choices For Myself

to Dream Big

to Support My Child In Reaching Their Dreams

to Listen To My Teachers

to Keep A Positive Attitude

to Help My Child With Their Homework

to Always Try My Best

to Meet And Exceed The Requirements Asked Of Me

to Engage Actively With The Foundation

to Have Fun

I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE
I PROMISE I PROMISE I PROMISE
Celebrating Jayden Jun 24, 2020

The end of the year is always a good time to reflect. But for LeBron and his Foundation, it’s never simply about reflection. It’s about growing and constantly striving for more.

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We Are Family Reunion Update Jun 10, 2020

Family sticks together. Family lifts each other up. Family is there through the good times, and the bad.

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We Are Family Jun 03, 2020

Family sticks together. Family lifts each other up. Family is there through the good times, and the bad.

READ MORE