Hip-hop artist Pitbull opens free public charter school in Tempe; classes set to start in August
Through his SLAM! Foundation, Grammy-award-winning artist Pitbull is opening a new, tuition-free public charter school in Tempe.
TEMPE, Ariz. - Grammy-award-winning artist Pitbull is opening a new, tuition-free public charter school in Tempe.
According to original statements on plans for SLAM Arizona, the school was supposed to open at 305 E. Main Street in Mesa - an address that is perhaps rather appropriate for Pitbull, who sometimes goes by Mr. 305, but we have since learned that the campus has since been relocated to the area of Martin Lane and Apache Boulevard, in Tempe.
The term SLAM, according to the school's website, stands for "Sports Leadership, Arts & Management." The school is part of Pitbull's SLAM! Foundation. According to its website, the non-profit represents 12 public charter schools that serve over 5,500 students in K-12 in Florida, Nevada, and Georgia.
The school in Tempe will serve kids from kindergarten to the 5th grade.
"They learn all the normal subjects: math, history, science. Then, when they get up into middle school, they will explore the wheel, and it includes sports media, sports marketing, and sports medicine, and get to decide what they want to hit in high school to get their certification," said the school's principal, Shannon Beem.
Pitbull performs onstage during Inaugural Gateway Celebrity Fight Night on March 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Gateway Celebrity Fight Night Foundation)
The school, like Pitbull's other schools across the country, is geared toward helping underprivileged students. Matthew Benson with the Arizona Charter School Association says an additional option for students is always welcome.
"We're talking about Pitbull, Mr. Worldwide. So, this is going to bring a lot of attention and choice for school choice in Arizona," said Benson.
School officials say classes are scheduled to start on August 4, 2022.
Slam Arizona