"ASPIRA" is Spanish for "aspire," and most of the school's students are Latino.

An official dedication ceremony held in March, 2000, featured Puerto-Rican-born actor Jimmy Smits.

The L.A. Law and NYPD Blue star recounted how he benefited as a child from a scholarship for Puerto Rican students and urged more positive portrayals of Latinos in popular culture.

He cut the ceremonial ribbon with a cry of "Viva la educación!

"[2] To honour the memory of the former President of ASPIRA of Florida, Raúl Martinez, the school name was officially changed by the governing board to ASPIRA Raúl Arnaldo Martinez Charter School.