LeBron James opened the new I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, on Monday, marking his first public appearance since leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The LeBron James Family Foundation collaborated with Akron Public Schools to design a school for students from challenging backgrounds. The school will initially serve 240 third- and fourth-grade students, with plans to add first- and second-grade courses by 2019. The school plans to offer first through eighth-grade lessons by 2022.

James chose to open the school, which is located across the street from his high school because he understands what students are experiencing. “I know the streets they walk.” I understand the challenges and tribulations they face. “I know the hawks and the doves,” he stated. “I understand what they dream about and their nightmares because I’ve been there. “They are the reason that this school exists today.”

“The most important thing we can teach kids is discipline. “They just want to feel like we care,” he explained. “They have dreams and aspirations. They simply want to know that someone cares.

LeBron James addresses the audience in Akron, Mo.

Students were admitted to the institution based on academic performance. According to Keith Liechty of Akron Public Schools, administrators reviewed reading data and identified students who had been reading for a few years.

“From that, we had more than 120 children. We had to put a top on it so it could fit under the roof. “We randomly selected all students who met the criteria and got to make these awesome photo calls to peers,” he told USA Today.

The school will also run a regular school year beginning July 30 and ending May 17, 2019. Classes will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., allowing for later school days.

James thanked Michele Campbell, the director of his facility, at the ceremony on Monday, stating that she is the main reason the school is open. He also expressed gratitude to the city’s school system and sponsors of the few schools. “Aпd kпow, пo matter if I’m playiпg iп Los Aпgeles or пot, Akroп is always home to me,” he went on to say.

According to USA Today, Campbell suggests that the children may not become LeBron James of basketball, but rather “the LeBron James of their passion and dream in life.”

A collection of LeBron James shoes decorates the entrance to the I Promise School of Mo.