MODESTO, California — No longer does Andre Agassi roam the courts staring down opponents. Now, the tennis legend roams the halls of schools helping underprivileged students net big returns in the classroom.
"I've been involved in education for 20-plus years. I started my own school through philanthropic efforts in the most economically challenged area of Las Vegas. For me, giving children hope through education was the only way to make real systemic change," said the 8-time tennis Grand Slam Singles champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and former number one tennis great.
Agassi started the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy Middle/High School in Las Vegas in 2001. His passion for education comes from his own lack of education.
"When I was born, my father said I was going to be a tennis player and I dropped out of school as a result in 8th grade," said Agassi.
So, Agassi teamed up with Bobby Turner of Turner Impact Capital, a social impact investment firm, to form the Turner-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund.
Now, the duo has built or has committed to build 105 schools across the country with 57,000 students.
One of them, Modesto's dual campus of Aspire University Charter School and Vanguard College Preparatory Academy which had its official grand opening on Friday. It sits in the middle of an economically depressed neighborhood of Modesto.
It's Aspire School's mission to "operate small, high quality charter schools in low-income neighborhoods." Turner and Agassi toured the new facilities Friday.
"I think the root of it is it's important for us to be involved in public education. And, what we have in America is an education system that is failing to deliver the necessary opportunities for so many deserving children," said Turner.
Senior Kelsey Mikelson grew up with little money in a broken household. She has now set her sights on college to become a teacher.
"My fellow classmates they have all seen me grow and I've seen them grow. And, they've helped me grow into the person I am today," Mikelson told ABC10.
Mikelson's mother, Kelly, says she is "over the moon" with her daughter's success.
"In first grade, she was struggling with reading and you couldn't tell now," said Kelly Mikelson.
Alexandra Ochoa immigrated from Mexico at age 10 and plans to become a surgeon.
"They care for you and they want me to succeed. And, I think that's the best guidance that you want," said Ochoa.
The new, 67,000 square foot campus also has state-of-the-art facilities. It will eventually serve 1,000 students.
"It's beautiful. It's big. High ceilings, big windows all around. And beautiful skylights in the middle of it. We absolutely love it," said Laura Thompson, Principal of Aspire University Charter School.
Of course, you can't have a school associated with Andre Agassi without new tennis courts. There are two.
"I am not passionate about this - I am fanatical," said Agassi. "I do have other responsibilities. I still have my foundation, which is highly focused on specific areas of grants of educational purposes. I do have some things that keep me connected to the sport of tennis, because it has given me the platform to do what I love."
Agassi's stroke of bad luck in school has, in tennis terms, turned into a love for kids in straight sets in the classroom. Arguably, it's become the best match of his life.
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