LeBron James
NBA star LeBron James scored off the court this week, he will found a school with his foundation in his hometown Akron, Ohio. Bill Streicher/USA TODAY/REUTERS

The school board in Akron, Ohio, on Monday unanimously approved plans for a new public school created in partnership with NBA star LeBron James’ foundation, according to the Associated Press.

The “I Promise” school will be aimed at kids at risk of falling behind, according to the LeBron James Family Foundation. The school will begin earlier in the summer and have longer days than other public schools in order to help students retain information.

The school will open in Fall 2018 and start with third and fourth grades. The eventual goal is to have eight grades by 2022. The school’s slogan will be “Nothing is given, everything is earned,” according to Cleveland.com.

James’ foundation already has a set of “I Promise” programs targeted at keeping struggling kids in school.

“We believe we're changing the mold with the I Promise School, and we're excited to have that story be told by people who understand the importance of what we're trying to accomplish,” said James in a press release.

James will also be producing a documentary series based on the school. The NBA star’s production company, SpringHill Entertainment, will partner with New York-based Warrior Poets on the project. The film will be created with documentarian Morgan Spurlock, famous for his documentary “Super Size Me.”

“Being able to create this school to specifically meet the needs of these kids and their families means everything to me. There are so many kids and families struggling, and we want this school to be a safe, positive place that helps them stay on the right track to earning their educations,” said James in a statement. “Having SpringHill Entertainment and an amazing filmmaker like Morgan Spurlock here to document this process is huge.”

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